Offbeat Homes

My new crush on Estes/Twombly

by Jennifer Chait on September 27th, 2008

I’m having a little thing for Estes/Twombly right now. I saw an Estes/Twombly structure in a book (or magazine - you know me, I forget the small details) a while back and fell in love. This isn’t offbeat architecture in a loony way, but this is unique work, as in you want to stare at it all day.

I love plenty of their work, but I’m only going to show two structures. One now, and because I can’t stop myself, my favorite one later.

First the Osprey House:

The thing about this firm that I love is that their homes are simple, cottage structures, (plus most are small - a big bonus), however, each has those little touches that make you look twice. The interior of the 1440 square feet, efficient Osprey House is like living in the open - the windows draw your eyes right outside. Not surprisingly, one Estes/Twombly motto is, “Breaking down the walls between indoors and outdoors.” In my opinion, all structures should do this - we need outside living.

From Estes/Twombly’s bio page:

“Estes/Twombly’s work consists of simple, innovative designs with firm roots in the New England tradition. We approach programs and problems with the belief that the best solutions are logical and direct, that a good design will appear inevitable… Our design aesthetic has evolved into a quiet modernism based on traditional methods and materials, with a sensitivity to local site and climatic conditions. Every site is different and necessarily requires a unique solution, whether it is responding to a view, a neighbor or the terrain. Through careful siting and design, we can break down the usually solid wall between indoors and outdoors, extending the warm seasons and providing natural heat and ventilation, in spite of the rugged New England climate.”

I like how they think. Simple, straightforward, and with attention to the space around the structure. All good things.I’ll show my favorite structure next, but if you’re getting fidgety, check out the Estes/Twombly website.

[iamges via Estes/Twombly]

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POSTED IN: Beauty & Simplicity