less more - patrick ahearn architectpatrickahearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ahearn... · 2020....
TRANSCRIPT
fall
2019
FIV
E D
OL
LA
RS
“Simplicity, Simplicity, Simplicity!”More than 150 years ago Henry David Thoreau claimed that the secret to a fulfilling life was to live with few
possessions to make room for deep thought and reflection. Today, with so many of us trying to simplify our
lives, that philosophy is as relevant as ever.
In the last few years the architectural pendulum has begun to swing back from the opulent home styles of
the 1980s and ’90s to more simplistic lines and finishings that harken back to the post-WWII minimalistic
movement. “The days of Gordon Gecko are over,” says architect Patrick Ahearn of Patrick Ahearn Architect
LLC. “People used to want grandiose houses that showed off their wealth, but now they want quality homes
that are more understated with clean lines and indoor/outdoor living spaces—classic on the outside with a
more edited interior.”
Less More
PAT T Y L E N Z B O V I E writer
IS
52We
lle
sle
yW
es
ton
Ma
ga
zin
e|
fall
20
19
“We call it a transitional style,” explains architect Jan Gleysteen of Jan Gleysteen Architects, Inc. “It has the
warmth of traditional with more modern lines.” No fancy moldings. No ornate mantles. Mullioned windows.
Lots of natural materials. “Our younger clients want the same thing—clean, white, uncluttered rooms.”
Transitional vs. ModernMany people confuse this new look with modern, but it’s quite different. “The modern movement grew out
of Walter Gropius’ Bauhaus and it was in vogue in the 1930s and ’40s,” says Ahearn. Flat-roofed houses,
geometric designs, and the use of glass, steel, and concrete are typical of the modern style. “But modern
architecture is not designed for humans to habitate,” notes Gleysteen. “It’s like living in a museum.”
Local architects and builders weigh in on the latest home design trend
( L T O R ) P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F :
C A R P E N T E R & M A C N E I L L E P H O T O B Y R I C H A R D M A N D E L K O R N
T H E L A G A S S É G R O U P
J A N G L E Y S T E E N A R C H I T E C T S
J A C O B L I L L E Y A R C H I T E C T S P H O T O B Y E R I C R O T H P H O T O G R A P H Y
P A T R I C K A H E A R N P H O T O B Y A N T H O N Y C R I S A F U L L I
C U T T I N G E D G E H O M E S P H O T O B Y P A T R I C K O ’ M A L L E Y
53
We
lles
ley
We
sto
n M
ag
az
ine
|fa
ll 20
19
The transitional style on the other hand is about stripping a design
form down to its bare essentials to reveal its essence. The goal is to create
a more efficient, streamlined living space that reflects the way we live
today. By focusing on what’s most important, architects can create pro-
verbial “white space” in the homes they design and build.
Today, raw and rustic materials, uncomplicated cladding and wall
finishes, and lots of natural light have begun to take the place of orna-
mental tile, bulky granite countertops, and intricate woodwork.
Simple not SterileAs clean and uncluttered as transitional architecture is, it’s not stark
and severe the way modern design can be. “Simple doesn’t mean a
space has to feel cold and sterile,” explains architect Jacob Lilley, princi-
pal architect of Jacob Lilley Architects. “It’s quite the opposite, actually.”
Unadorned details that give a room a chance to breathe, and the strate-
gic use of materials like stone and weathered wood for visual interest,
texture, and personality can instill a sense of warmth.
Gleysteen notes, “We might add a barn door that slides on a track,
CO
UR
TE
SY
O
F
PA
TR
IC
K
AH
EA
RN
/P
HO
TO
B
Y
AN
TH
ON
Y
CR
IS
AF
UL
LI
54We
lle
sle
yW
es
ton
Ma
ga
zin
e|
fall
20
19
Less is More
salvaged wood on an exposed rack, hand-
blown glass lighting fixtures, or a primal fire-
place with rocky stone—elements that evoke
nature. The look is refreshing and clean.” It’s
also inviting and warm.
“When there’s less in a room, everything in
it becomes more important,” says Lilley. But
achieving simplicity is harder than it looks. “All
the lines have to be completely straight, and
you can’t rely on crown moldings to hide any
imperfections,” explains Michael T. Gray, man-
aging director and senior architect at Carpenter
& MacNeille Architects and Builders. “It takes
a lot of attention to build simply.”
Paul Lagassé, marketing director and proj-
ect manager at The Lagassé Group, agrees.
“The challenge is to conceal features that
would otherwise be highlighted in a more
CO
UR
TE
SY
O
F
TH
E
LA
GA
SS
É
GR
OU
P
56We
lle
sle
yW
es
ton
Ma
ga
zin
e|
fall
20
19
Less is More
traditional home such as architectural grilles,
shades, doors, and door hardware. These still
need to be present for the home to function,
but the more out-of-sight they can be, the
cleaner the home will feel.”
This new transitional look is not just tied
to the finishes like tiles, faucets, lighting, and
fixtures, but also to a home’s layout. Ahearn
points out, “A traditional home might have a
center hallway with rooms off it, but clients
don’t want rooms they’re not going to use.
When I was growing up, my living room was
roped off with plastic seat covers on the furni-
ture, and we only used it once a year. No one
wants to live like that anymore.”
What’s Driving This Trend?Marie Kondo’s best-selling book, The Life-
Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese
Art of Decluttering and Organizing (Ten Speed
Press, 2014), encourages readers to remove
the clutter in our homes and keep only those
possessions that “spark joy.” Kondo says tidy-
ing up allows us to lead more peaceful, fulfill-
ing lives, with a greater appreciation for the
things we have—much like Thoreau.
Scandinavian design is also playing a role.
“It has the fundamental principles we all
love — natural light, space that breathes, a
sense of calmness,” explains Lilley. Similarly,
brands like Apple, with the clean feel and
fewer buttons have helped popularize this
contemporary look.
58We
lle
sle
yW
es
ton
Ma
ga
zin
e|
fall
20
19
Less is More
But perhaps the greatest influence is the younger generation. Many
millennials who have grown up with overly decorated homes are
embracing a simpler style. “We’re working with younger clients who are
more mobile and tech savvy and want more streamlined living,” says
Gray. “This “i-generation” grew up in the McMansion era, and they
want homes that are efficient with smarter layouts, touch screens, and
integrated systems. They don’t want flamboyancy or opulent millwork.”
Lilley adds, “Many of us are recognizing that we have a lot of stuff and
just don’t need it all. We have crazy busy lives and we’re looking for a
way to simplify them.”
A Hybrid ApproachSimplifying your home doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can focus
on a room or two instead of streamlining the whole house. One of
Gray’s clients wanted a quiet “Zen room,” which felt like a natural exten-
sion of their traditional home. “People don’t want to change their floor
plans,” adds Gleysteen. They want their homes to feel more open and
airy. Sometimes a hybrid approach is the answer.
CO
UR
TE
SY
O
F
JA
N
GL
EY
ST
EE
N
AR
CH
IT
EC
TS
/P
HO
TO
B
Y
RI
CH
AR
D
MA
ND
EL
KO
RN
60We
lle
sle
yW
es
ton
Ma
ga
zin
e|
fall
20
19
Less is More
“Nowadays some people no longer want a formal living space or
dining space,” says Lilley. But they may live in a traditional home. One
of Lilley’s clients had a lot of modern art in their 100-year-old home,
and Lilley suggested a contemporary addition. “We opened up the back
and eroded the wall, adding 36 feet of glass. From the street it still looks
like a classic home, but it’s been adapted to include a more minimalist
setting.” It’s the best of both worlds.
Sean Cutting, president of Cutting Edge Homes, Inc. says, “We’ve
found that when it comes to design and building, more and more of our
clients want their homes to be as timeless as possible. The more subtle
the details and the cleaner the lines, the more it looks like our additions
have always been there. Subway titles, shaker cabinets, and oak floors
are all classic. And white kitchens never go out of style.”
Gray recently completed a 1880s shingle-style project. “We stripped
down the kitchen and opened up a lot of walls, making the interior very
open while respecting the exterior of the home.” Details like waterfall
edges on islands, hardware-less cabinetry, and solid backsplashes in
place of tiles help keep things uncluttered.
CO
UR
TE
SY
O
F
JA
CO
B
LI
LL
EY
A
RC
HI
TE
CT
S/
PH
OT
O
BY
K
EI
TA
RO
Y
OS
HI
OK
A
62We
lle
sle
yW
es
ton
Ma
ga
zin
e|
fall
20
19
Less is More
CO
UR
TE
SY
O
F
CA
RP
EN
TE
R
&
MA
CN
EI
LL
E/
PH
OT
O
BY
R
IC
HA
RD
M
AN
DE
LK
OR
N
64We
lle
sle
yW
es
ton
Ma
ga
zin
e|
fall
20
19
Less is More
A New Way of Life“Since so many of us are working 24 x 7, mak-
ing our homes calm and comforting has never
been more important,” adds Cutting. Lagassé
says, “When a home is stripped back to its
basic functional elements, there’s no sense of
distraction. Instead, there’s a pervasive airi-
ness and brightness throughout, signaling a
newness and an eye towards the future.”
Trends may come and go, but this simpler
“transitional” style is more than a fad. It’s a
way of life that is helping to create a sense of
balance in our chaotic, busy lives. Based on its
growing popularity and the understated prac-
ticality of living with less, it looks like it’s here
to stay.
CO
UR
TE
SY
O
F
CU
TT
IN
G
ED
GE
H
OM
ES
/P
HO
TO
B
Y
PA
TR
IC
K
O’
MA
LL
EY
65
We
lles
ley
We
sto
n M
ag
az
ine
|fa
ll 20
19