This project involved the transformation and expansion of a 1965 French Eclectic house by Walter Durham into a large country estate. Kass & Associates work included the development of the Master Plan for the 22 acre site, which included new entrance drives, extensive renovations, and additions to both sides of the house, new garage / service court, rear gardens and pool pavilion. Existing facades were altered with new windows and the house embellished with three new limestone clad entrances and porches. The Architects designed custom exterior copper and iron lanterns for the house and pool pavilion. The wood shake roof was restructured and covered in large profile slate.

On the interior, many of the one-story pubic rooms were reconfigured into two-story spaces to increase their scale and monumentality. In addition, new rooms were added to the residence, including a domed Breakfast Room pavilion sheathed in custom copper shingles and a Ballroom for large gatherings and entertaining. The rooms are linked by a generous sequence of hallways and galleries, whose careful proportions make the house comfortable for both family use and for large gathering.

The house showcases the craft of the many artisans who collaborated with The Architects to achieve the high quality of detail throughout the home. This includes woodwork, cabinetry, carved masonry, patterned stone floors, decorative plaster, wrought iron, and furnishings as well as the skill of many others who contributed to the project’s success.