The Mulberry Point Pavilion received a Merit Award at the 31st Annual Builder's Choice Design & Planning Awards in the whole house make-over category. "This year's competition drew nearly 300 entries; the judging process was extremely rigorous. In the end, the jurors selected just 41 entries for recognition."

All of the winning projects are featured in the cover story of the October 2011 issue of BUILDER Magazine, and online at www.builderonline.com.

Project description: Intended as a modern, waterfront get-away for family and friends, the transformation of the original 1960s one story 1,129 sf, two-bedroom cottage on its tiny waterfront lot had its share of challenges. The footprint was non-conforming and encroached both the street and side yard setbacks. Its V-Zone location imposed high flood hazard FEMA constraints. Connecticut State Health Code required that the heated floor area could not be enlarged. 

Sandra and Glenn's solution to both accommodate the Owner’s minimalist program and satisfy these unique site constraints was to raise the living space to a second floor level with the ground floor designated as a ‘seasonal porch’ – an airy, flexible, and crisply finished interior for casual entertaining.

Because of the extremely limited allowable floor area (1,055 sf), the second floor level was designed with boat-like efficiency to accommodate the Owner’s program. Two small bedrooms with private baths embrace a central living/dining/kitchen area. Kitchen appliances, equipment, and pantry items are all stowed within and below the 20’ length of concrete counter. Despite the limited floor area, views through the high clerestory windows that stretch north to south below the sloped ceiling and tall glazed corners at the opposing bedrooms, allow for uninterrupted east to west views through the house and limitless vistas of Long Island Sound. Thank you to Durston Saylor for great photography, and to Jorge Arango for fabulous styiing.