Location: Newburgh, New York
Architect: Jeff Jordan Architects
Photographer: Steve Gross, Susan Daley
When award-winning architect Jeff Jordan came onboard for this project, the historically situated building had already undergone a major renovation — from storage shed for an apple orchard to a modest, well-loved mid-century home. His client wanted to honor both these origins but at the same time, create something modern and refined.
The result is a stunning structure that stands as a testament to the transformative power of good design and high quality building materials. Originally clad in beautiful, long-lasting Western Red Cedar siding, the inner home was calling out for fresh new paneling that could rival its outer beauty. Jordan chose Western Red Cedar… or was it the other way around?
“It was already chosen for us,” he explains. “We simply decided to extend it into the interior to help blur the lines between inside and outside. And frankly, we love the warmth it provides with its varied hues. When coupled with an almost sterile white floor and ceiling, the walls are that much more dramatic and warming.”
Revamping the interior with Western Red Cedar was also a green choice. For starters, natural building materials such as cedar leave the smallest carbon footprint of any other building material. Plus, there’s the fact that taking design cues from the original structure meant less material heading to the landfill.
“The primary environmental objective was to work with the existing structure and not create unnecessary waste,” says Jordan. “We were able to expose and retain much of the original structure while enhancing day-lighting with lots of new windows.”
And the client, who values great design and having a strong connection to the surrounding environment, couldn’t be happier with the choice in building material.
“Our client loved cedar then and still loves it now,” says Jordan before later adding, “I think he may even be trying to figure out how to use it in a future master shower renovation.”