This inviting New Hampshire home was crafted by TMS Architects in collaboration with CM Ragusa Builders, nestled in the peaceful countryside of Rye. The region is home to numerous historic communities, making it a desirable place to live. When the homeowners purchased the property, it included an 1881 school house.
This raised concerns in the community that it would be torn down and replaced with a McMansion, detracting from the scale and historic character of the surrounding countryside. Although the existing school house was not integrated into the final house design, the owners and architects were sympathetic to the community’s concerns.
As the design evolved, special attention was paid to maintaining a more intimate scale for the new home. The house’s massing was broken down into three distinct gable roof elements that rambled across the site much like many of the New England farm house structures dotting the New Hampshire coastline.
By using a variety of exterior surface materials, including stone, white cedar shingles, board and baton sheathing, and architectural red roof shingles, the skin of the building reflects the varied character of the building’s massing. Multiple dormers and rooflines extend beyond the simple gable roofs to create usable second-floor living space while preserving a sense of reduced scale by maintaining the illusion of a one-story structure.
The homeowner’s preferences ran towards a more open and contemporary floor plan. The lifestyle is revealed in the meticulous attention to architectural details throughout the home. On the main floor of the house, the living, dining, and kitchen are all integrated into one large comfortable living and entertainment space.
What We Love: The design of this charming home in New Hampshire is simple yet elegant. Beautiful architectural details are evident in both the interior and exterior. Placing the master bedroom on the first floor, with the main living spaces, was a great concept for owners looking to age in place. Overall, we think the architects did a wonderful job of seamlessly integrating this home into the historic nature of the surrounding community.
Tell Us: Do you think the architects were successful in creating an exterior facade that creates the illusion of a single-story home? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments!
Note: Be sure to have a look below for the “Related” tags for more inspiring home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of the architects of this project, TMS Architects.
Anchoring the kitchen is a large island with casual seating that separates the work area from the dining space. The project team worked closely with the owners to bring their vision to life, creating a lively and comfortable palette of furniture, color, and finishes.
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Above: The owner’s bedroom is located on the first floor for convenient single-story living.
The second floor contains two additional bedrooms and a separate TV room for visiting guests.
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PHOTOGRAPHER Rob Karosis Photography
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