Artley Architecture

Crofton Road

The Crofton Road house was built on the site of the garage formerly used by the house next door on this quiet cul-de-sac. When the existing house came up for sale, it was purchased and the lot subdivided to build this house. The boomerang shape of the lot and the yard setback requirements mandated by zoning brought many challenges to the design. The house had to be fit into the setback arc described by the curve of the roadway, and edged by the more angular corners at the rear. The main part of the house is placed at the middle of the lot, where its buildable depth is greatest, and building ells of diminishing dimension angle and narrow as they approach the yard setbacks. The building grows in depth and height as the wings intersect at the main part of the house, and the mass of the house is concentrated at its center, where the formal entry and living areas are found.

The second floor stair landing and gallery overlooks the double height entrance hall, and the stair continues up again to the third floor space under the eaves. Formal living and dining rooms open up to the foyer, and a powder room and closet for coats are tucked around a corner nearby. Doors at the back of the main hall lead into the kitchen and breakfast area, which opens up to the family room, and a large mud room leads to the garage.