This 1,700 square foot "cottage" was designed for our son Ben and his wife Renee. Their objectives were:

• Construction cost of no more than $170,000 (year 2000 dollars).
• One Bedroom and a Home Office, but expandable.
• Contact between Office and Kitchen.
• A view from the Living Room east to their pond.

The land developer's design restrictions required that the house be of a Connecticut "type": Colonial, Victorian, or Farm.

We borrowed a number of Connecticut rural patterns and proposed a simple two story enclosure that inside would use a central balcony and open stair to create rooms. We drew natural light into the center of the house by adding a Lantern over the stair. At night the Lantern serves as a beacon distinguishing this house from its neighbors.

This project demonstrates four ADM qualities:

1. We design warm, friendly living environments (not Mac-mansions).
2. We listen to our clients.
3. We design to a budget.
4. We create exciting spaces and building forms.