A simple, open experience

The construction team was able to see the colored concrete in place, and the tile selection in place, all before the main house was built. “We were able to get a sense of what things would be like in the main house. It was a departure for us but it worked. In many ways this was two projects.”

The Elevation

From the moment one turns the corner in front of the house, a sense of cohesiveness across the entire property is clear. It blends nicely, with nothing obnoxious about it, which is typical of a Mark Macy project, Woods says. Even the garage door is camouflaged to maintain design continuity.

A hidden garage door is a bit of an obsession with Macy, he says. “Garage doors often take a prominence from the street, which is not ideal. We weren’t going to change the garage location so we had to disguise it. It was an interesting idea to make it part of the exterior of the building. It adds a little bit of mystery and fun,” Macy says.

Entering the property from the outside, one steps into a pavilion that leads first to a courtyard and then into the house. “It’s informal that way. If you look at some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses in terms of the expression on the outside, he used wood on the exterior that was beautiful, but not low-maintenance. We have the benefit of fiber cement so we can achieve both,” Macy explains.

Once in the back yard, a translucent glass fence provides privacy and creates a courtyard. The neighborhood consists of generous lots with homes flanking this one and across the street.