Mc Crum Architects

11/10/2021

View to the west from the Ouray Residence

11/10/2021

North view from Ouray Residence

11/10/2021

NEW RESIDENCE OURAY COLORADO

Understanding change as the only constant in every aspect of life, we as architects, need to pace up our discipline in sync with these fast paced times. Architecture of the present has been mostly about inculcating social and environmental advancement into physical expression through concepts of sustainable and progressive lifestyles.
When we talk of empathetic co-existence with nature, the discipline that can drive us closest to this principle is Architecture. This site is an amalgamation of extremes in terms that it manages to be a private land despite being a just a brief walk into the town of Ouray Colorado. Also, it is a rigid rectangular plot in a naturally meandering foot-hill terrain surrounded by mountains. This project translates this vision as its core concept.
It is designed "around nature, rather than on it”. Natural features such as Alaskan yellow cedar slats over a 10” think reinforced concrete walls, large glass window walls and a rooftop swimming pool play their part in enhancing the designed living experience, merging with nature and surroundings. The architecture of this residence is perched on three distinct levels. The main door on the first floor unconventionally stands off the visitor's direct vision, perpendicular to the entrance axis.
The entrance foyer presents to the user, a staircase leading to an open floor plan on the second floor level. It is planned such that it seamlessly connects the dining area, lounge, and kitchen as a single unified space. The first and second levels are designed like a free flowing residence with minimal visual barriers. Each level is accentuated with an unobstructed view of the lovely mountainous backdrop. Hence bringing nature inside the enclosure.
The site had a major setback of an occasional rock-fall from the surrounding mountains to the north and east. The designers have used this to their design advantage, instead of treating it as a constraint. The roof profile has been created at such an angle that the rocks reflect off of the reinforced concrete roof which acts as a shield, protecting the building interiors and leaving scope for an open-to-sky roof area. Underneath the ‘Concrete shields’ is the third floor plan that comprises of a glass enclosed exercise area, massage and changing rooms. The space with a striking view of the surrounding mountains leads out to a rooftop pool and deck.
With sustainability as one of its core ideas, passive heating systems have been integrated. The glass enclosed exercised room and concrete slab collects the heat, which is later distributed to its lower floors with fan-controlled mechanical ducts. The ribbon-shaped window at the second level brings ambient light into the lobby and family areas. Operable window shading slats have been designed over the glass window frames to appropriately use diffused or efficient light, as per timely requirements.

03/21/2018

03/21/2018

The Sag Harbor project (including land) has been sold to a builder who is in the process of gaining plan approval.

08/27/2017

Olympic Blvd

08/27/2017

08/27/2017

New house in Sag Harbor, 2300 SF with winter views of the harbor from the 2nd floor.

06/17/2010

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Mc Crum Architects is an Architecture Design Firm based in New York City.

06/14/2010

We have the pleasure to announce the launging of the new site of Mc Crum Architects New York in English & Spanish.

06/14/2010

Noyac Home Long Island, New York

Concept: One of Kasimir Malevich’s Tektoniks (ca1920’s) acts as a starting point. The tektoniks were inhabitable structures that gravitate in space like tiny planets inspired by flight and movement. With emphasis placed on technological innovation, our language is drawn from structural forces and the nature of the materials selected. Our intention is to articulate these forces with through the functions and activities suggested by Malevich’s sculpture. The technological needs at hand required inventive use of materials to express fluid forms and space. The program breathes life into the tektonik’s formal imperatives by expanding its volumes to fill dimensions that lure us into its nascent spaces.

Site: The property located in Sag Harbor, New York is densely wooded with a steep slope. Its unique long and narrow proportion connects a main thoroughfare with open sea vistas. The original property was approximately 2,496 feet long by 160 feet wide. With the influx of weekend visitors to eastern long island, the property was subdivided into four properties in the mid-eighties. This parcel is 624’ north-south by 135’ east-west, side yard setbacks are 20’ while front and rear yard setbacks are 60’. The maximum allowable building height is 32’ above average grade.

Context: The neighborhood is dominated with shingle style houses that tend to mimic local turn of the century houses. Three shingled style houses are located to the east at a lower elevation. This house is located within this context along the north-south axis while challenging the unique nature of the sloped site on the east-west axis. The west façade is used primarily to maintain views and light while the east façade acts as a screening device for privacy.

Technology / Construction: This 5000 S.F. house is constructed using a standard wood framed structural system combined with innovative materials. The concrete foundation walls and cantilevered slabs are left exposed. Innovative materials such as polygal polycarbonate, copper wall panels, concrete, glass, clay plaster and wood are used in the center main volume of the house. Horizontal cedar boards wrap this main exterior envelope. Glass enclosures, copper sheathing, copper encased window frames and concrete walls intervene and pe*****te the exterior walls.

Interior surfaces: Natural clay plaster, maple strip flooring, anodized brushed aluminum windows and doors throughout the house. Ikea cabinets, clad with stainless steel, and stone counters.

06/14/2010

Martha’s Vineyard House Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Context: Chip Chop is located on Martha’s Vineyard, a small island just off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There are four chops on the island which define direction or bearing for the fisherman, Chip Chop is the east chop. Water surrounds the house on three sides. The mainland can be seen in the distance and ferries, sailing and fishing boats. Vineyard Haven is the closest village.

Site: The property encompasses the entire point. The existing house had five structures; the caretaker’s house, the main house, the great room and the two guest houses. The writer, Catherine Cornell built the original house in the 40’s. She entertained her Hollywood friend’s at Chip Chop. When we first arrived we wondered why there were no windows in the kitchen. We were told that Katherine’s guest’s, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton among others, sunbathed in the n**e on the beach and wanted some privacy. That set the tone for the project.

Project: This portion of Martha’s Vineyard does not allow any new structures to be built, requiring all construction to be within the confines of the original footprint as well as in compliance with various environmental concerns. The original house consisted of an entry, great room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom, two separate guest room structures and a caretaker’s house. As a starting point, a master bedroom suite was added to the second floor. The existing entry was rebuilt, the kitchen was totally remodeled with new windows facing the water, the bathrooms were remodeled, the guest houses were redone, and a new pool house, pool and deck were built. A number of built-in’s and floors were restored in the great room. Existing and new portions of the house were restored to match original details. New double hung windows and white cedar trim and shingles were installed.

Concept: To renovate and add technological innovation to this precious site without creating signature additions. We were inspired by the existing style; our
intention was to articulate with minimal expression.