Ruhl Walker Architects

This house started as a substantial renovation of an existing 50′s vintage modern house in Lincoln, MA.  Because the original program included a large laundry list of renovations to the existing house systems, once we began working with general contractors on a budget for the renovation project it became clear that the cost of renovating was going to be comparable to the cost of building a new house.  In the interest of making as energy efficient a house as possible, maximizing long term value for the owners, and minimizing short term disruption to the owners, the decision was made to pursue a new house on the existing foundation, with the new house being built by a modular prefabricator for substantial time and cost savings. Both of the owners write software and manage companies from home, so minimizing disruption is critically important; pursuing modular construction will help minimize the time the owners will have to be out of their house during construction.  The basement level will be reconfigured to accommodate a new, expanded garage, an exercise room, mudroom, wood working shop, bathroom, and mechancial and storage rooms.  The main level will have a large, open living / dining room, screened porch with fireplace, enlarged kitchen with pantry, master suite, guest bedroom, and south-facing courtyard / roof deck.  On an upper level will be an A/V room, a large home office, and a bathroom. During the Permitting process, a group called Friends of Modern Architecture in Lincoln was consulted by the Town, to make sure that the modern house that was being partially demolished would be replaced with a suitably contemporary replacement, and we of course passed the test.  The house will be prefabricated by Haven Homes and site fabricated by Sea Dar Construction of Boston.  Landscape design will be by Matthew Cunningham. The house is currently in design, with shop drawings being prepared by Haven Homes, and custom interior and exterior detailing by Ruhl Walker Architects. Construction is expected to be completed by October.

Digital model image of the new house, built on the existing foundation.	Digital model image of east elevation with zen garden.
Building section showing steel stair, perforated stair wall, and living room fireplace.	Wall at stair.
Landscape plan by Matthew Cunningham.	Inspiration for landscape elements.
The existing home.

Check out a recently completed project in Boston Home magazine!

You can also see the project in full on our web portfolio, here.

KITCHEN DESIGN

It surprises almost no one that the kitchen is now the functional and emotional heart of every home, from the smallest urban apartment to casual beach houses and large, more formally constrained suburban estates. We all know that no matter who is in your house – just family, a few friends, or a big gathering – they all will end up in the kitchen, or at least they’ll want to be there. The trick is knowing how to design so that this inevitability isn’t at odds with a smoothly functioning kitchen nor with aesthetically sophisticated living space.

Kitchens are now frequently combined in some way with dining and social spaces. This either means the walls and doors which previously divided these functions are no longer deemed appropriate, or the kitchen itself is now large enough to contain a full dining table and some comfortable seating and a TV and fireplace. As a result, the old modes of designing kitchens no longer work. When a kitchen had four walls and a door, cabinetry and appliances lined the walls, and wall cabinets above stored dishes and staples. But in a more open concept, some kitchens have only one full wall or maybe two at most. Kitchen design, along with cabinetry and appliance offerings, has made dramatic changes in recent years to accommodate this. That single wall is now covered with everything tall – refrigerator, wall ovens and full-height pantries. Everything else is low, either in base cabinetry or an island or peninsula configuration. Base cabinet hardware now offers beautiful and functional ways to store plates and glasses below the counter. Dishwashers and microwaves come in drawer configurations. All appliances with the exception of the oven can be fully concealed as cabinetry, to further blend the look of the kitchen into the living space. The ergonomics of these new options are easy (and impressive), and soft-close drawers and touch-to-open cabinets are common in all cabinet lines.

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DESIGN INTEGRATION

A few examples from our projects:

A tall cooking center, with stainless steel backsplash, integrated lighting extraction vent, and storage for all pots and pans in deep drawers.

Tall pantries provide partial screening from an adjacent family room. In front, a prep island is wrapped in durable white granite.

Here, the kitchen countertop and cabinetry lines wrap directly into a new fireplace, anchoring a breakfast area.

On the right, a continuous band of recessed stainless groove handles organizes wall ovens, refrigerators and prep support.

This kitchen combines custom walnut cabinetry, sleek white Caesarstone counters, and a vintage Aga range.

Careful cabinetry design and a uniform wood floor make an easy transition to the adjacent lounge space in this row house.

This kitchen anchors one end of an open family room. Well planned storage (and an adjacent pantry) keeps everything orderly.

Careful cabinetry design and a uniform wood floor make an easy transition to the adjacent lounge space in this row house.

We like digital models to test ideas, including materials and daylighting. In this row house study, tall side cabinets bracket a cooking island.

Refrigerators and pantries flank a small niche.

We almost always keep the kitchen floor the same material as the adjacent spaces – in this case polished concrete.

Maple cabinetry softens the abstract volumes of this loft interior.

This simple arc accommodates a cooks desire to be close to her friends and family.

A solid-and-void composition makes a sculptural kitchen for a pair of art collectors.

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STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Here are some snapshots illustrating a few of our favorite storage and organization solutions:

Wine cooler with refrigerated beverage drawers below, all integrated with furniture-grade cabinetry.

Fully integrated refrigeration systems keep the “appliance” look out of living spaces.

A built in coffee station with warming drawers for cups is the ultimate luxury for some.

Deep trash / recycling storage bins, with concealed interior drawers for additional storage. Internal drawers keep the cabinetry lines uncluttered.

Tall pull-out pantries and drawers with adjustable dividers eliminate loosing things in the back of the cabinet.

Sometimes leaving things out on the counter is exactly the right solution.