Michael
T. McGrath
Architecture
Project
2: Contextual Fit
Project
Statement:
“The Smith Family has
commissioned [me] to design an addition to their house on the shore of Long
Island Sound. The original house, designed in 1965 by architect Richard Meier,
has been widely published and is internationally known. Unfortunately, the
owner’s needs have change since the original design, thereby warranting this
architectural intervention. The owner specifically request that the integrity
of the original design be respected, yet the new addition should have its own
presence.”
Narrative:
Ryan Smith is a retired
fisherman who moved into the Smith house with his family after he passed down
his fishing empire to his eldest son. Ryan grew up in a big fishing town on the
south shore of Long Island and would spend his childhood summers working as a
deck hand on any fishing boat he could. His love of the sea was unlike many
have seen before. After high school, he invested in his first boat and thus
starting his fishing business. After 40 years he has built up a respectable
business known amongst fisherman up and down the mid-eastern United States
seaboard.
Smith now resides in
one of the well renowned Meier houses, but desires that there be an extension
added onto the house to meet the needs of his somewhat larger family. He wishes
to have a new master bedroom, a space to provide social family interactions,
and a workout room. With the specifications given, he has asked that the master
bedroom have a panoramic view facing the sea.