Imagine building a spec house in the midst of the recession. Was it courage or insanity? After building their dream house on the banks of the WestportRiver, the clients’ remaining parcel was small, set back from the river’s edge, but had wonderful southeastern views across to the water. The new spec house was to include all the “must haves” on the realtor’s checklist: open plan living/dining/kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths and an “away” room. The clients only had one requirement:  stay within budget!

The concept was to juxtapose a one story, shed roofed great room wing to a two story, gable roofed bedroom wing and connect the two with an entry/mudroom/powder room. The idea was to have the great room wing feel like an open porch when the doors were slid back for the breezes to waft through. The bedroom wing offers more privacy, while maintaining river views from the two main bedrooms and bucolic views out the back from the 3rd bedroom and the small study.

Ultimately, the house was a big success and sold within a week of going on the market! We were retained by the new owners to design a garage with an all purpose room above for guests, yoga and general fun. This space offers a soaring ceiling with views through the elevated sliding doors to the riverscape below.

Published: South Coast feature 2019, inaugural issue

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Gale Goff Architect, Little Compton, RI

Jacob Talbot Fine Homebuilders, Adamsville, RI

Kirby Goff Interior Design, Providence/Little Compton, RI

Anthony Crisafulli, Boston, MA, Photographer