3 Reading the Land
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Finding that sweet spot to plant a house is key.
The attraction to a particular location can also link to something deep in one’s ancestral roots. It’s that mental notation we have of feeling happy as we approach the place. We don’t know why, we just know it’s where we want to be, forever.
When one walks the land or a neighborhood and then decides to settle and build, the focus moves from “can we live here” to “what will our story be?” and “how will we add to the story of this setting and place?” The choices we make for architectural style and interior design can amplify the characteristics of a site or place and create interesting contrasts.
When we find it, wherever the setting, we begin to identify with it and a family life story begins to form in our minds. It becomes easy to picture daily rituals and celebratory moments.
But why do some of us migrate to the shore while others prefer to live on the crest of a rolling hill? Perhaps it is because particular settings tug on something deep inside—an antique farmhouse may conjure up a cherished childhood memory or the city’s energy and excitement may draw us in. Likewise, the open views of a field might satisfy the dream of feeling free of life’s noise and congestion.
Thoughts may turn to morning walks, shuffling down the same stone path for years to come where we will take in the views while scooping up the morning newspaper. And we imagine too, the distant dip in the lawn someday accommodating a place for family gatherings. Our story begins to unfold when we find a piece of land, build a home and establish our roots.
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“The homes we design celebrate the drama and uniqueness of the site while providing a sense of stewardship for its future.�
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“Sometimes a home sits very naturally in a place and is defined by the landscape, neighborhood, or by the character of a city. We try to read that; we look at its past, present and future. Whatever we do comes from our understanding of the place.� 7
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“In New England, the home is the catalyst that brings together the earth, forest and sky.�
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“We decipher where the house should sit, how to orient it, how it will appear on the landscape and how others will see it.�
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ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS
222 Third Street, Suite 3212 Cambridge, MA 617 621-1455 www.LDa-Architects.com
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