To satisfy the contemporary design wishes of the client, architect Jim Bender used the principles of deconstruction architecture to plan this home. Rather than giving the home a straight gable or hip roof, he gave it a roof that slopes left to right with its ridge beam curving as it descends. Instead of a plumb front entry, the base is narrow, growing wider toward the top and ultimately leaning outward.
The front double door is a custom design. It consists of seventy-two individual panes of beveled glass with two sidelights. Similarly beveled, the window above features a fourteen-light transom. Set in alder wood, the beveled glass of the front entry offers plenty of natural light without sacrificing essential privacy.
Stepping into the entry foyer, guests find a maple hardwood floor with inlaid marble. One’s eyes are drawn immediately to the home’s curving, custom-built maple staircase, complemented by maple handrails, stainless-steel balusters, and newel posts. Further up, maple columns with ¼” strips of inlaid ebony wood support the curving ridge beam of the roof. The vaulted ceiling of the foyer carries into a formal dining room where a contemporary cable light fixture hangs above the dining room table.
As we approach the kitchen, we see stainless steel appliances framed by maple cabinets. Pendant lights and granite countertops highlight two independent islands that encourage a smooth flow of foot traffic. Custom-built maple bench seats and a tabletop with iron bases and chairs complete the look for a lovely, casual dining area. The maple hardwood floor continues into an expansive great room and study. The limestone fireplace supports a maple chase, once again, inlaid with ¼” strips of ebony wood. A custom-built maple entertainment center is angled to allow full view of the television from anywhere in the room.
Our “Salute to Jacques Derrida” is a salute to the deconstruction architecture movement that his theories inspired. Such an angular, tailored build led us to install custom-made maple doors throughout. That even includes the double doors and sidelights that open into the study. Maple casings and baseboards complete the look throughout the home and into the study where a custom-built computer center and series of bookshelves and cabinets are, likewise, built out of maple wood.
Beyond the study is the master suite. It features a vaulted ceiling and fireplace with a marble surround and flush hearth. The mantle and legs are built in a contemporary style, mimicking the baseboards and casing. Beyond this, a master bath offers his and her vanities that extend out in front of the maple cabinets. They are surrounded by marble countertops. Two glass block walls allow natural light into the room while retaining adequate privacy and accentuating a shower and whirlpool tub.
The second floor has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a loft, and a playroom.
The walkout lower level features ten-foot ceilings and ample space for its wet bar, built-in maple entertainment center, and massive, three-sided, wood-burning masonry fireplace with wood storage. Also in the lower level is a game room with a pool table, an exercise room, a steam room with a full bath, and additional storage rooms.
Two separate two-car garages (one heated) round out this award-winning example of contemporary deconstruction architecture.
Constructing this home proved highly difficult, from the curved concrete foundation walls at the bottom to the curved descending ridge beam at the top. When a search of US steel companies failed to bring up anyone capable of fabricating a curved steel I beam which also descended, we had to fabricate our own using LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beams. Once the second floor deck was framed, we glued those massive LVL beams together, bending them to the proper radius with simple “come-a-longs” before bolting them together. We then lifted and secured the new beam in steel saddles welded onto steel columns that posted all the way down to the foundation. The photos above show the steps.
Interested in a home like Chateau Jacques Derrida? Our expertise in deconstructivism opens the door to endless options when building your dream home. Reach out to schedule a consultation today!
