Private Residence, Bernardsville, New Jersey

Private Residence, Bernardsville, New Jersey

Location: Bernardsville, New Jersey
Type: Residential Renovation/ Addition/ Rear Yard Renovation
Year: 2017
Status: In Construction
Size: 4930 sq. ft./ 5.02 acre property
Style: Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie House Inspired
Year Built: 1946
Floors: 2/ split level
Client: Private Residence

During his prolific career, Frank Lloyd Wright built four houses in the Garden State, one of them being the first, is the James B. Christie House which is located in Bernardsville, which dates to 1940.

At the time, six years later to be exact, one of Wright’s architecture student, inspired through his work decided to follow his mentor’s Usonian principles of simplicity, practicality, and a connection to nature; decided to continue the style to a new commissioned home down the road. The commissioned architect told his client to find a site with “as much individuality as to topography and features—stream, trees, etc. and as much freedom from adjacent buildings as is possible.”

Below are photos of that commissioned site and existing house that was built. Its beautiful modern horizontal lines, not only extenuate the vast landscape surrounded by picture framed trees, but also cleverly reveal the house as one approaches the driveway. This allows for uninterrupted views past the house, while progressively revealing the interior spaces front to back.

Our goal is to maintain those clean lines overhanging lines the Wright preached, while updating its exterior with large window panes and opening the interior spaces for a more contemporary open living concept. At the rear, we intend to totally redesign the backyard, restoring the existing pool and creating a poured in place concrete terraced landscape. Each terrace level at the rear will have its separate functions, combining a pool terrace/ sun bathing/ outdoor kitchenette/ private dining/ sitting area/ outdoor heated twin pools which will sit under a walkway bridge as you descend down the gardens.