The first impression was not the house itself. It was the scale of the arrival. The circular driveway, central lawn, mature trees, and strong roof slope suggested the possibility of a residence with far more architectural presence than the existing late-1980s home revealed.
- A grand circular driveway created an unusually formal sense of arrival.
- The triangular parcel narrowed into a wooded rear landscape that felt secluded and almost forest-like.
- Mature pine and oak trees established the natural character of the property.
- The existing roof slope aligned with the geometry envisioned for a Scandinavian barn-inspired New England home.
The intent was not to reproduce a Nordic house. The design translates Scandinavian principles such as material honesty, simplicity, natural light, durability, and connection to nature into architecture suited to New England and its rugged four-season climate.
- The steep roof geometry gives the home a familiar regional silhouette.
- Natural pine siding resonates with the surrounding pine forest.
- Metal, stone, slate, concrete, and glass add permanence and weather resistance.
- The composition is modern, but the material logic remains grounded in the landscape and climate.
This was not a cosmetic renovation. The house grew by 2,000 square feet and was completely reorganized across four interconnected levels.
- The original main structure and foundation were retained where practical.
- A new two-car garage was added to balance the massing and support the luxury program.
- The space above the garage became a flexible grand room, game room, yoga room, music room, or second living room.
- The main living level was opened to create a cathedral ceiling and a stronger relationship with the landscape.
- The finished basement accommodates the gym, cinema, wine cellar, laundry, mechanical room, and storage.
The original plan included an accessory dwelling unit, and the concept received approval from the Town of Burlington. Further research led to a different conclusion. The likely buyer would gain more long-term value from a fully integrated lifestyle program than from supplemental rental income.
- The approved ADU was replaced with wellness and recreation spaces.
- Two ground-level bedrooms remain available for guests, children, a nanny, or live-in staff.
- The revised program supports multi-generational living without separating the home into an income unit.
- The decision prioritized the daily experience of the owner over a purely financial feature.
The house was planned around how people move through a day. Spaces are connected by use, not simply grouped by room type.
- Coffee can move from the kitchen to the side fire pit beneath the trees.
- Breakfast opens onto the rear deck and outdoor kitchen.
- The gym leads naturally to the sauna, cold plunge, jacuzzi, floating deck, and sunbeds.
- Evening entertaining can move between the outdoor kitchen, two fire pit locations, jacuzzi, wine cellar, bar, and private cinema.
Each level has a distinct role, yet the circulation keeps the residence connected and intuitive.
- Ground level: garage arrival, fireplace lounge, wet bar, sauna, two bedrooms, shared bathroom, and direct outdoor access.
- Elevated main level: cathedral living room, kitchen, walk-in pantry, powder room, secluded office, rear deck, outdoor kitchen, and side fire pit.
- Upper level: two children's bedrooms, shared bathroom, library, flexible grand room, and private primary suite.
- Finished basement: full gym, cinema, wine cellar, laundry, mechanical room, and storage.
Opening the main living room into a cathedral volume required substantial structural work. New LVLs support the roof geometry, with the load path carried through columns to the basement.
- Major roof restructuring to create the cathedral ceiling.
- New foundation slab for the garage addition, with waterproofing at the expanded foundation areas.
- Utility pole relocation from the property to the sidewalk.
- New 400-amp electrical service to support the expanded all-electric home.
The palette combines natural warmth with materials selected for New England weather, long service life, and visual character.
- Premium thermally modified pine with visible knots and natural variation.
- Black standing-seam aluminum roofing designed for long-term performance.
- Limestone-look porcelain exterior accent panels, with slate tile and stone inside.
- Architectural concrete at the entry, steps, planters, and exterior transitions.
- Expansive glazing and insulated aluminum-and-glass garage doors.
The house was designed to remain comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable through the rapidly changing New England climate.
- Closed-cell insulation throughout to support HERS performance requirements.
- All-electric heat pump heating and cooling, with a heat pump water heater.
- ERV system supplying fresh air and exhausting stale air.
- High-performance windows and expanded glazing.
- 400-amp service and electric vehicle charging.
The site already felt secluded, but the landscape strategy completed the sense of having a private compound. The goal was to remove neighboring views and let the forest become the primary backdrop from every level.
- Most mature pine and oak trees were preserved, along with the old stone boundary wall.
- A wood privacy fence was built above the rear bank to screen neighbors from the upper floors.
- The circular driveway frames a central lawn and future sculptural focal point.
- A fire pit at the far end of the property creates a destination within the woods.
- Large front planters echo the geometry of the house and will be planted with dwarf pines and sculptural evergreens.
