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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Writer\’s Studio in Greenwich, Connecticut by Architect Eric J. Smith’sOctober 8th, 2020 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Architect Eric J. Smith’s After recently publishing his 5th book of poetry, a retired Wall Street executive (and lifelong poet) decided to commit to his passion for writing full time. Inspired by a childhood dream of Thoreau’s Walden Pond, he wanted to create a small and simple, yet modern studio in which to write, reflect and enjoy nature.  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor
 Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor To bring his vision to life, the poet called upon architect Eric J. Smith, an ardent classicist with a modern point of view. Eric had worked with this client before and was intrigued by the request to step outside of his preferred design sensibilities and to venture in a seemingly opposite aesthetic direction. Upon discussing the project further, it was decided that the Writer’s Studio was to be self-sufficient and secluded – located deep within a heavily wooded property in Connecticut and accessible by foot. Yet despite being seemingly off the grid, it also needed to be equipped to climatically preserve the client’s rare, 1700 volume collection of poetry. Eric’s design of the Writer’s Studio succeeds in “being of the place and of the person.” Portions appear as having always been there, while others are of a new transformative nature. Fieldstone walls, which echo the ruins of an abandoned spring house, have been repurposed with steel and glass; creating an openable and transparent enclosure; a cantilevering counterpoint suspended in the breeze. The studio’s stone walls conceal a robust steel structure, fully insulated yet incorporating pockets into which both the protective plank shutters and European engineered glass sliders retract. The building is also crafted to articulate the creative process, initiated by the commitment to enter.  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor Upon arrival only one opening is visible. This narrow entrance penetrates the 30” thick walls. A protective wood shutter neatly slides into the stone, revealing a glass panel pocket door. Once inside, the initial space compresses, the ceiling low, exterior fieldstone becomes interior. Planks of fumed white oak form the floors, ceilings, and millwork built-ins. Oak shelves filled with the client’s 1,700 volume poetry collection line the passageway. A geothermal heating and cooling system has been installed to preserve this precious collection. Under one of the shelves, a wooden drawer conceals a trundle bed designed to accommodate the occasional overnight stay. To the left, a staircase ascends through a motorized roof hatch, accessing the panoramic roof deck. The shelves of poetry lead to a glass writing room, cantilevered high above a ravine, continuing the art of the poem. With apparent simplicity, this tiny building belies its complexity. Crafted with Eric’s exacting eye, every edge, corner and surface of the Writer’s Studio has been carefully considered.  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor  Image Courtesy © Durston Saylor
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Tags: Connecticut, Greenwich Category: Studio |
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