LEED Gold gambrel house in Massachusetts feels like a retreat

By One Kindesign February 27, 2017

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Hilltop Gambrel House-LDa Architecture-01-1 Kindesign

A family of five comissioned LDa Architecture & Interiors to design a forever house that felt like a vacation home, located on a spacious 1.5-acres property in Newton, Massachusetts. The goal for the architects was to integrate sustainable design features into a traditional family home within an historic neighborhood. The vision came to life, producing luminous interior living spaces that are elegant yet informal. An open plan concept feels light and airy with a crisp, classic aesthetic.

The exterior facade showcases a traditional, shingle-style architecture—warm and inviting. Positioned on a sloping corner lot, the architects worked within this context, creating stepped terraces to anchor the home to its site. The also devised separate zones for the swimming pool, landscaping and garage entrance. Additional highlights includes a four-season porch, extending into the property to frames a stone patio for entertaining and dining al fresco.

The interior living spaces on the first level includes, a living room, dining room, butler’s pantry, kitchen, breakfast area, mudroom, family room, and media room. The second level encompasses the master bedroom suite, additional bedrooms, and a home office.

A first floor mezzanine and basement level houses a guest bedroom suite, additional home office, golf simulator, exercise room, play space and a craft area. Finishes and furnishings were selected to create welcoming and comfortably intimate spaces for everyday family living. Yet be sophisticated enough to entertain guests for formal occasions.

Here are a few words from the architects, explaining the sustainable features of this LEED for Homes certified “Gold” home: “the project includes a geothermal HVAC system, high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, locally sourced materials including wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and a well-insulated, tight exterior envelope.

In addition, 92% of waste generated on site during construction was diverted from landfill. Only 31% of the site is turf, and 95% of the low-maintenance, drought tolerant plant palette is composed of native plant materials. The project proves that a home can be significant in size, significant in detail, significant in craft, and rich in material, yet sustainable.

What We Love: The sophisticated yet kid friendly interiors of this lovely gambrel house provides a fantastic space for entertaining. Not only is this home attractively designed both indoors and out, we love that it is LEED Gold certified. The cedar clad, octagonally-shaped screened-in porch is also a fantastic feature. Perfect for a home that was designed to feel like a vacation retreat… what do you love most?

Note: Have a look for the “Related” tags below for some more incredible home tours from the LDa Architects. Enjoy!