A jury of architects connected with Virginia Polytechnical University has selected the Chester River house of Ms. Caroline Gabel to receive a Citation of Excellence in Architecture Award.
Chestertown Architect Peter Newlin designed the house for Caroline Gabel, who retired to the Eastern Shore last year. Caroline told me she wanted "a thoroughly interesting house", Newlin explains, and she wanted "an intimate experience of the weather and nature." Later we found Caroline was excited by the prospect of curved walls, which we could use to expand the views up and down the Chester River and to help create a very open
and spacious interior.
The jury praised Newlin's design, saying they admired the way he carried posts and beams from the entry porch throughout the house and out onto the water side and his "beautiful wood detailing".
"We are lucky to have extraordinary craftsmen on the Eastern Shore," says Newlin. "Many worked on Caroline's house. For example, with the help of custom lighting manufacturer John Ramsey (Deep Landing Workshop, Chestertown) and cabinetmake Woody Labat (Juniper Cabinetry, Easton) we created the unique lighting fixtures to uplight the beamed ceiling throughout the downstairs.
Sculptor Don Carlson (Chestertown) worked with cabinet-maker Joshua Miller (of Church Hill) to create a one-of-a-kind carved bed.
|
The Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects presents the award to the architect, the builder and the owner. Patrick Jones of Allen/Jones, Inc. (Chestertown) is the General Contractor ultimately responsible for much of the fine craftsmanship. Gabel's house is the fifth house designed by Newlin to have won an award in recent years and the third built by Patrick Jones. All have been on the Eastern Shore.
Newlin heads Chesapeake Architects, of Chestertown. Established two decades ago, the firm has won state, local and national awards for their contemporary design
, restoration work and
energy- conserving commercial design.
In 1996 the American Institute of Architects gave Newlin its silver medal, naming him to its College of Fellows, an honor bestowed upon less than three percent of its 58,000 members.
The Kitchen with its generous curved Island
|
