Residential Design
Designing and managing a residential project is a true collaboration between the architect, the owner, and the builder. Here's a small sample of my residential work:
Bill & Heather's House
Bill and Heather knew their just-purchased 1930s colonial needed a lot: a new kitchen, an expanded garage, a home office for Heather, a master suite, a family room, a mudroom and a better relationship to the yard. Working with the existing house's classic form, we created an addition on each end of the building that not only met all their needs, but enhanced the original structure. The ceiling heights in the existing house were all very low, so in the family room/office/master suite addition, we stepped the first floor down and used a scissor truss for the second floor roof to greatly increase the ceiling heights on both levels.
"Our house project would not have been such a complete success without John Downie's skilled vision and architectural renderings. As a designer and builder, I can tend to be a demanding customer with a critical eye for detail and spatial flow. John first listened to us and then he must have "listened" to the house, because the plans he developed achieved a graceful and proportionate balance between the old, existing structure and the exciting, new addition. The result is a home that truly reflects our unique family personality. We are proud of this place and enjoyed the journey. Thank you John!" - Bill Cronin, owner
"Our house project would not have been such a complete success without John Downie's skilled vision and architectural renderings. As a designer and builder, I can tend to be a demanding customer with a critical eye for detail and spatial flow. John first listened to us and then he must have "listened" to the house, because the plans he developed achieved a graceful and proportionate balance between the old, existing structure and the exciting, new addition. The result is a home that truly reflects our unique family personality. We are proud of this place and enjoyed the journey. Thank you John!" - Bill Cronin, owner
Lisa & Nancy's House
Lisa and Nancy bought this oceanfront property in Provincetown, formerly the site of a derelict hotel, with building plans comissioned by the developer that were already approved by the town. They loved the site very much, but the plans, well, not so much. Because of the approval, the building exterior had to remain essentially the same shape and size, and so working within these limitations, we improved the interior layout of the three-bedroom, four-bath home and then refined the exterior to better take advantage of the sweeping ocean views and salty breezes. On the ocean side, walls of french doors, clerestory windows, and huge decks blur the line between indoors and out, bringing the beach inside. After the house was completed, we then worked together again to design a two-car garage with a studio and half-bath above.
"Working with John to get our house plans construction ready was not only a pleasure but resulted in an excellent product. He made suggestions to improve the overall functionality of the house, he communicated with us about each detail of the project and listened closely to the needs we had for the space. He worked with our builder as construction got underway. We are thrilled with the results - job well done!" - Lisa Hartwick, owner
"Working with John to get our house plans construction ready was not only a pleasure but resulted in an excellent product. He made suggestions to improve the overall functionality of the house, he communicated with us about each detail of the project and listened closely to the needs we had for the space. He worked with our builder as construction got underway. We are thrilled with the results - job well done!" - Lisa Hartwick, owner
La Quinta
Set alongside a lush golf course in the California desert, this dramatic house is a vacation and retirement retreat for a couple from Michigan. Through an interplay of angles, deep overhangs, and large windows, the house captures stunning views of the golf course, the private pool, gardens and surrounding mountains while shading the interior from the heat and glare of the intense desert sun.
Interior spaces flow seamlessly into one another and out into the courtyards and patios for easy entertaining, whether for cocktail parties or visiting grandchildren. The 4,000-square-foot, three-bedroom home includes a master suite with a private fitness room overlooking the pool.
Designed with MW Steele Group. Photo by Philipp Scholz Rittermann.
Interior spaces flow seamlessly into one another and out into the courtyards and patios for easy entertaining, whether for cocktail parties or visiting grandchildren. The 4,000-square-foot, three-bedroom home includes a master suite with a private fitness room overlooking the pool.
Designed with MW Steele Group. Photo by Philipp Scholz Rittermann.
The Atlantic
Located on a tight, but prominent corner in Boston's historic North End, this five-story, eight-unit luxury condominium building replaced a vacant, dilapidated structure that had been an eyesore for years. Close to the North End waterfront, the condos offer lively city and harbor views through walls of glass and large windows. Each condo has three bedrooms and two and a half baths, and includes fine design details like high ceilings, marble baths, gas fireplaces, private roof decks and balconies. The Atlantic also incorporates what many city dwellers would consider its greatest luxury: a private parking garage.
Designed with DiMella Shaffer. Photo by Hillman Real Estate.
Designed with DiMella Shaffer. Photo by Hillman Real Estate.
Fuller Village
A new 165-unit, nine-building village of senior independent living designed to complement an adjacent independent and assisted living complex in Milton, Massachusetts. Includes an indoor swimming pool, a cafe, function rooms with a stage, a library, a card room, and a fitness center. The buildings were sited to save as many of the mature trees on the property as possible. The trees are now a highlight of the parklike grounds, which include conservation wetlands. Earned the Gold Achievement Award, Best of Senior Housing from the National Council of Senior Housing and the National Association of Home Builders.
"I can without hesitation say it is a pleasure to work with John Downie. He is a first-rate professional, but more imortant to me is that he is a great person."
- Tim Martin, former Executive Director, Milton Residences for the Elderly
Designed with DiMella Shaffer. Photo by Peter Vanderwarker.
"I can without hesitation say it is a pleasure to work with John Downie. He is a first-rate professional, but more imortant to me is that he is a great person."
- Tim Martin, former Executive Director, Milton Residences for the Elderly
Designed with DiMella Shaffer. Photo by Peter Vanderwarker.
Auburndale House
This is my own house, a 1914 two-family in Newton, Massachusetts. The house was often used as rental property, and was subjected to a number of frightening "improvements" over the years. We purchased it in 1998, knowing that we appreciated its good features, lured in by the potential we knew was there. The addition in the attic added 2 berooms, a bathroom, a laundry and an office/studio. The arts-and-crafts design elements had been covered by the addition of a mult-colored brick facade. The renovation removed the brick where possible and restored the arts-and-crafts flavor of the house, along with adding some much needed space on the third floor. The house earned a Newton Preservation Award from the Newton Historical Society.