Watch Hill House

Chris Cooper Photography

• Architects

A lively family of five approached LUBRANO CIAVARRA to design a weekend home for entertaining their vast network of extended family and friends. The client’s site selection of 3.5 acres fronting a nature preserve on Rhode Island’s historic Watch Hill peninsula offered a significant grade change and the possibility of water views from a secluded property.

A long approach allows the site strategy to gradually unfold. The slender Pool House acts as a privacy fence, introducing the recurring palette of cedar, copper and bluestone. The slate base of the Main House wraps into the triple-height glazed Stair Hall, and folds up a hidden stair which providing passage to the pool. Movement throughout was carefully choreographed so that framed views to the preserve are captured in spaces of “activity” like the Kitchen and Stair, while expansive views fill the room in spaces of “rest” like the Living Room and Master Bedroom.

Paul and Sophie – repeat clients for LUBRANO CIAVARRA who designed their primary residence in Pelham, NY - returned to RI for to build this 5,200sf second home because of Sophie’s strong family connections to the area. Her great, great grandfather, Calvert Byron Cottrell, started the CB Cottrell and Sons Co in 1855, a printing press manufacturer based locally in Pawcatuck. Her grandfather, Arthur Maxson Cottrell Jr, spent a lot of time in RI politics as State Senator and House Representative. Today, “Cottrell Beer” – which offers a great IPA! - is run by Sophie’s second cousin, Charlie Buffum.

Three floors, including seven possible sleeping areas and a set of linked party spaces, are simply articulated in oak and slate, complemented by pops of color with names like “piñata”. Exterior porch spaces are fully integrated with their respective interior partner spaces, carved from within the volume of the house. Cedar “straps” of horizontal siding rotate individually to become light-filtering railings, or fold as surfaces to create programmed porches. Vertical reveals on the facades break down the scale of both buildings and provide multiple patterns of constructed shadow and site lines. The house’s three 425’ geothermal wells provide both heating and cooling at this year round retreat.

Material Used :

1. Realstone – Stone Cladding @ Facades

2. Architectural Window Manufacturing Corp – Windows and Doors

3. Mystic Mirror & Plate Glass – Backpainted Glass

4. Nemo Tile – Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

5. Wilson Woodworkers, Inc – Wood Flooring

6. DB Mason – Copper Metalwork

7. The Hillery Company – Stainless Steel Counters

8. Elias Baron Construction, LLC – Cedar Siding @ Facades

9. Bega – Exterior Light Fixtures

10. I.E. Meltemi – Interior Light Fixtures

11. USA Illuminations – Interior Light Fixtures