Alder Residence

The ground level of the addition consists of an office, den, and double-height living room. In the office, a large built-in desk faces a panoramic window, which looks out to the rear yard and valley beyond. A maple built-in sitting area in the den integrates with the fireplace, creating a cozy reading nook. Adjacent to the den is the living room, which has high sculptural ceilings with large northern facing windows that bring soft light into the space from above. The living room is connected to the rear yard by a series of large stacking doors that can be fully opened to create a seamless transition to a covered patio and the yard beyond. The living room floor is polished concrete which extends to the patio, blurring the lines between the interior and exterior space.

The second-story of the addition houses the master suite, which is set back to reduce the building’s mass from the adjacent outdoor areas. The addition’s roof-line is a continual spiral up from the rear, which follows the angle of the sculptural stair that connects the master suite to the living room. This spiral culminates in the master’s 14’ high ceilings and full height windows with a spectacular view towards Mt. Washington.  The master bathroom and master suite is clad in bees wax finished maple that emphasizes these as distinct elements within the overall space.  

At the rear of the master bedroom, a series of stacking doors slide away, opening the space to a private balcony and sitting area that’s carved into the roof. A triangular window at the sitting area creates a connection and brings additional light into the living room.

The building’s exterior is clad in a vertical grained cedar, sealed with matte oil that preserves the wood’s natural warmth. The roof, windows, and doors are clad in a dark anodized metal that emphasizes their crispness, as a counterpoint to the softness of the wood.