Cragmont Avenue // SHM Architects

The clients at the Cragmont residence are empty nesters who wanted a home that wouldn’t feel overwhelming for just the two of them but that would be large enough to accommodate their children’s families when they come to town. The couple also wanted a home appropriate in scale for the neighborhood, which lies within a conservation district.

The home uses simple, recognizable forms to blend in with the existing neighborhood. However, unique details and materials satisfy the owners’ desire for a clean, contemporary aesthetic inside and out. The exterior is clad in a combination of stucco, cut limestone from Mexico and metal siding. All the major public spaces (dining, kitchen, great room) as well as the master bedroom are organized around a small pool and courtyard.

Inside, the main living area is a large, open space containing multiple elements, which are organized as “furniture” pieces to define the specific uses. For example, a walnut-clad box at the end of the great room houses the bar, coat closet, and powder room. It also supports a steel cantilevered stair that leads to a mezzanine level (the top of the box) where a pool table is perched. The entire box is sunk down so that the mezzanine level is low enough to encourage conversation between guests in the great room sitting area and the pool players.

Firm: SHM Architects
Architectural Design Team: Enrique Montenegro, AIA; Nicholas McWhirter, AIA; Jonathan Walker; Keaton Cizek; and Cassie Burch, RID, NCIDQ

Contractor: Susan Newell Custom Homes LLC

Interior Design: SHM Architects

Landscape Architect: David Rolston Landscape Architects

Structural Engineer: Bury & Partners

Completed: 2017
Square Footage: 5,115

Photography: Nathan Schroder Photography