B Architecture Studio helps clients design the getaway home of their dreams.
A seaside escape requires special design considerations.
Have you ever stayed in a beautiful hotel or rented an amazing home in a far-flung destination and thought, I could live here? b Architecture Studio (barchstudio.com) is helping their clients to do just that with their innovative Getaway Guide focusing on designing second homes. Their guide serves as a way to begin the conversation of where to spend the days when the out-of-office is turned on. “We ask clients to name a favorite vacation and say why it was special. This helps hone in on what kind of second home they might want. It’s not the nuts and bolts about how many bedrooms and bathrooms, but really a way to learn more about the clients and create a fun dialogue to find out what’s important to them,” says Chris Brown, principal of b Architecture Studio.
Knowing how the home will be used and by whom is integral to the design. For example, if the family and their guests are extremely active, b Architecture suggests creating two mud rooms, one that’s built for durability and one that welcomes guests. The more formal of the two would be a pleasing entry without snowy boots, skis, and muddy mountain bikes to step around. b Architecture might recommend expanding the garage or adding a covered portico as additional spaces to house bulky outdoor equipment. And to ensure the dirt and beach sand don’t get tracked all over the house, an outdoor shower or rinsing station becomes a useful addition.
Special nooks create a seamless blend between seating and storage.
Brown and his team devise creative solutions, regardless of square footage, to allow for the expansion and contraction of people. Rooms are created to serve more than one purpose, like an office or yoga space that easily transitions to a guest room. They also design so that sections of the house can be closed off to efficiently zone cooling and heating when not in use.
Sharing a special escape with friends and family is part of the fun of a getaway home and b Architecture typically recommends adding at least one guest room with an en suite bathroom and a small closet to give guests privacy.
The aesthetic of a second home also requires additional thought. “A getaway house needs to be low maintenance because no one wants to be worried about their wood floor finish,” says Brown. b Architecture understands the balance between fashion and function and will work with designers who know the importance of suggesting finishes such as tile floors that resemble wood and can be easily vacuumed, window treatments that are easy to clean and fabrics that can withstand the sun’s rays. “There’s a real synergy between architecture design and interior design,” says Brown.
The origin story behind each second home is different. Learning the tale to retell it within the walls is what Brown and his team always set out to do. “We’re not looking to do a particular design style. We want to respond and respect what the client is seeking. The idea of getaway homes is really what we see as core to our brand. They speak to what we at the studio enjoy, which is the fun of getting our clients into these special places,” says Brown.
Photography by: READ MCKENDREE
