HomeMy WebLinkAboutAndryauskas LetterDear Members of the Old Kings Highway Historic Commission,
We appreciate your observations and suggestions regarding the design of our home. Your
feedback noted that the design appeared busy and off-balance, with concerns that the mass of
the house from the front view could overpower the neighborhood. You recommended
incorporating more traditional features, such as 6/6 windows and a traditional centered front
door. In partnership with our neighbors, we have made the following design modifications in
response to your comments and recommendations.
• Realignment of Windows and Front Door: We have realigned the windows and centered
the front door, adopting traditional 6/6 windows.
• L-Shaped Design and Master Bedroom Relocation: Following your suggestion of an L-
shaped design, we have moved the master bedroom further to the rear of the house which
allowed us to move the garage further back along the south side of our home.
• Garage Relocation: We have moved the garage from the front of the house to midway
along the south side of the structure. Relocating the front of the garage from the horizontal
plane of the front of the house has a positive impact on the house's overall mass and street
appearance, diminishing the horizontal expanse of the front façade. The peak roofline of the
garage is subsequently lowered from approximately 23 feet to 17 feet. This further reduces the
vertical dominance that concerned the Commission.
• Balcony and Roofline Adjustment: The Commission's observation regarding the
unbalanced roofline of the center section of our home prompted us to undertake significant
design refinements to enhance architectural balance and reduce the appearance of mass. We
reduced the size of the attic balcony and replaced the traditional railing with a continuation of
the natural roofline. This modification aligns the roofline seamlessly across the front of the attic
balcony and diminishes the visual impact of the central structure.
• Front Porch: Our neighbors universally supported retaining the front porch and its depth.
The roofline of the front porch plays a pivotal role in mitigating the vertical dominance of our
home's façade. By introducing a horizontal element at the front of the structure, the porch
roofline effectively breaks up the visual height and mass, lending a sense of balance and
proportion to the overall design. This enhances the aesthetic appeal while establishing a
welcoming transition from the public street to the private interior. We did not want the front porch
to be merely an ornamental addition; it is a critical component that softens the building's profile,
aligns with the character of the neighborhood, and fosters a sense of community connection
which is at the heart of our intent for our home.
• Dining Room/Breakfast Nook Location: The dining room/breakfast nook at the northwest
corner of our home is also a critical design element that mirrors the welcoming and community-
focused attributes of the front porch. The dining room/breakfast nook is positioned to take
advantage of the modest water views and the refreshing sea breezes that flow down our street.
Much like the front porch, the dining room’s placement fosters a sense of openness and
engagement with the neighborhood.
The design changes you suggested do create a more balanced and visually appealing design.
Your recommendations, our consultation with neighbors, and Mike Rockwell’s thoughtful design
adjustments respect the neighborhood’s scale and character, promoting a sense of
proportionality while meeting our family’s needs. For what it is worth this is our year-round
forever home. Our desire is to facilitate aging in place. In addition, our children and their
families live at a distance. A design that accommodates remote work during their extended visits
will allow us to share precious moments together in a community we have cherished, as renters
and owners for nearly 40 years.
We look forward to your favorable consideration and we remain open to any further specific
suggestions you may have.
Thank you for your time and constructive recommendations,
Peggy & Frank Andryauskas