Courtesy of Hilltop Construction
By. R.J. DeLuke
Hilltop Construction Co. of Hudson Falls was bestowed a certificate of merit from AIA Vermont, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects, as the builder of a lake house on Brant Lake, referred to as ADK Camp.
Birdseye Design of Richmond, Vt., was the architect on the project and was also bestowed the honor.
According to Birdseye, the structure is a private residence on Brant Lake, owned by the same family for four generations. The five-acre site is had two existing boathouses, a tree-lined carriage road, and a vintage waterfront cabin.
“This lake house for two families was an early favorite among the jury. It was one of the few projects that thoroughly redefined its site with the introduction of a new building that clearly contrasted in scale and expression with the existing buildings on the site, casting them into entirely new light” said the comments from the jury that reviewed all award submissions and selected the winners.
“The house stands back away from the lakefront, retreating just into the edge of the woods, enveloped in shadow … The jury appreciated how well-crafted and cleanly articulated the new house was inside and out.”
“To get an award is just outstanding,” said Tom Albrecht, president and CEO of Hilltop Construction. “We care about doing things the right way. Good craftsmanship and design are the results.
“We don’t do it to get public recognition. We do it because it’s the right thing to do and to help people,” he added.
“In concept, the ADK Camp represents a contemporary reflection of the utility, structural expression and contextual relationships of the Great Camp typology,” said Brian J. Mac, FAIA, annd principal architect at Birdseye.
“The structure replaced a dilapidated and structurally unsound building. In the spirit of Great Camp buildings, the minimalist-designed residence, in plan, anchors the historic buildings of the site to create a new central hub for the residents. The inspired architectural language of the camp integrates into the landscape allowing the boathouses to remain visually strong.”
According to the AIA jury, the project represents “a complete transformation of the interior with great attention paid to every detail and element … While relatively conventional in concept, the jury was impressed with the level of discipline required to achieve this result. The restraint of the color and material palette draws one’s attention to the smallest details and the high level of craft.
“The quality of the daylighting was particularly strong and clearly a priority in the design, creating an ethereal space that seemed to suffuse a gentle illumination from every corner. The jury discussed how the minimal expression might have felt too stark, but nevertheless felt calming and welcoming … The space has the character of a stage or set that, while striking in its own right, would comfortably settle into the background once occupied, receding to frame the action of the occupants whose activity would bring the space to life.”
AIA Vermont is an organization of architectural design professionals that endeavors to bring together and serve all who are interested in the art and science of architecture. It aspires to increase the public’s knowledge and understanding of the architectural profession.