MALDEN BRIDGE HOUSE
Why would anyone want a house in the shape of a six-pointed star? The
picturesque house often incorporates eccentric choices. There is no reason
to build a custom house that does not distinguish itself in some way.
Sometimes subtlety is appropriate, but at other times projects can benefit
from bold moves. This is one of those times. The shape of the plan was
inspired by the family structure. Each family member--father, mother,
sisters, brother--had an equal say in household decisions. Therefore each
needed an equal bedroom wing, with the parents getting a double.
The plan is carried out with architectural details common to the industry as
well as the neighborhood, so the shape is actually the only exotic aspect of
this house. In plan, the angles produce multiple complex effects on the
exterior. Inside, the organization is remarkably straightforward. A
six-pointed star is formed with surprisingly parallel lines. For the
interior, this means that the outside walls run straight, like the outside
walls of a rectangular house. The magic arises from the fact that the
intermediate walls offer corners that can be filled with glass--for
transparency, cross-breezes, and settings for focal points such as
sculpture, light fixtures, and plantings. The corners also make for inviting
niches in which to sit.
Peculiarity is at the heart of the picturesque. The spirit of the good house
lies in the complexity of its character, from the beautiful to the strange.
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