This is an 18th-century farm, with wood facades painted white, four completely symmetrical windows, a double-shed roof, and a small veranda. It stands in a field surrounded by trees, only a short distance away from the large grain silos. The project doubled the size of the existing house, and included a covered swimming pool and an art gallery. So it was a transformation, not only of size, but also of functions.
This extension designed by Peter Gluck neither repeated nor imitated the style of the old white wooden house, but managed to absorb its atmosphere, its aesthetics, and its close relationship with the countryside. Somehow the facade of the house had to maintain its pre-eminent position, so there was a clear purpose in producing an image full of allusions and reminiscences.
Combining two styles, Peter Gluck built a house that alternates between modernity and tradition, in a continuous dialogue. Gluck exploits the images of the buildings that traditionally surrounded farms: granaries and storehouses; yet he does so by means of modern technology and language, as well as new functions.
A small glass gallery connects the existing building with the new areas.
Location: Worcester, New York. United States Year of construction: 1995 Architect: Peter Gluck Photography: Paul Warchol
Peter Gluck’s project consisted of extending an old farm with wooden facades painted white, originally built in the 18th century.
The land around the pool was excavated.
This was firstly in order to gain additional privacy, and secondly to ensure that the windows remained above ground level.
The covered pool was designed not only for swimming, but also as an area for leisure and relaxation, as an alternative to the living room, and closely linked with the yard.
General view of the living room, where the beam of wood holding up the double-shed roof can be seen.