Recently Photographed Home in Port Washington
Located on the Port Washington Penninsula, this residence is one of 43 closely spaced homes. It is a cooperative community, formally a bungalow colony, that was originally squatter shacks for workers of a local gravel quarry. Since then, the bungalows have been torn down and replaced with contemporary full-time homes such as this one. This low energy home has three floors designed top to bottom with staggered terraces. Our clients desired a residence cooperating with the slope, respecting adjacent homes, maximizing views and maintaining privacy.
Located on Staten Island, the clients of this new home, devoted much time over the years searching and waiting for a site to become available in an upscale community, situated on the highest elevation in this borough of New York City. They desired to have a home designed to accommodate their large family and their various recreational activities and hobbies.
This landmark building was constructed in 1931, as the “Roslyn National Bank and Trust Company”. Designed in a Classical Revival style by William Bunker Tubby. Recently the building was occupied by a mens clothing store. In 2021 the building was acquired to be converted into a health club. The idea (conceived during the Covid 19 pandemic), is as a healthy interactive group exercise space.
Published on Archi Daily, this 1500 sq.ft. home is located on an east facing steep slope on the Port Washington peninsula. It is one of 43 closely spaced homes which comprise a co-op, formally a bungalow colony, established 80 years ago as squatter shacks for workers at the local sand and gravel pit, however; recently, with the rise in property values, wonderful location, quality schools, and a direct train line into Manhattan, the bungalows were purchased, torn down and replaced with contemporary capes and salt boxes with projecting decks, dangerous stairs and a disregard for the state of the hillside. Our client’s desired to build a structure which respected the slope.
The site for this waterfront residence is located on the Great Neck Peninsula, facing west to views of NYC and the borough bridges. Due to strict height requirements the house from the street appears to be one story and then steps down the hill allowing for three fully occupiable floors. The configuration of the home is a U-shape surrounding a rear courtyard. This shape, along with suspended pods assures water views to all occupants while not compromising privacy from the adjacent homes.
This book is a living document illustrating Narofsky Architecture's continuing evolution. It contains post-it scribbles, copies from many sketchbooks, large scale tracings, models, renderings, and photos all from our first 25 years of practice. Our firm continues this work, as we are now in our 38th year.
