Bold design and dramatic architecture are an unending theme throughout The Highlands, a 10,330-square-foot home in Warwick designed by architectural firm Cooper Gardner. During the planning stages, the homeowners were adamant about designing and building a home that both functioned well for a young family and incorporated high style and interesting design features.
“The programme for the house very quickly revealed to us that this would be a large house, and we wanted to ensure that the massing of the house was carefully handled so the house created an impression without being too imposing,” says architect Lee Clarke.
Impressively boasting four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, formal living areas, a study, gym, media room and nanny suite, the home was anything but traditional. Nevertheless, the homeowners were keen to retain the essence of Bermudian architectural tradition, including broken roof lines, inviting verandas, a pointed buttery, large chimneys, grand windows and high ceilings. For inspiration, the homeowners looked toward Commissioner’s House in Dockyard.
“We felt that the colonial character of Commissioner’s House was a great example of this style here in Bermuda,” explains Clarke. “The decorative crown mouldings and oversized architraves inspired us to take a cue from this rich architectural heritage piece and imbue the interior of the house with a historic patina. The rich dark oaks used were a wonderful complement to the white walls, and the proportions sat well with our intentions to install large window openings to maximize the view and bring the outdoors in.”
High on Cooper Gardner’s wish list was creating drama in the entry hall. To make a lasting impression on all who entered, they designed a sculptural staircase with exquisite circular curves in stark contrast to the traditional exterior architecture and the sharp lines of the architraves just beyond. This dramatic contrast of traditional and contemporary is the home’s signature.
The impressive contemporary finishes throughout the home are a constant reminder than no detail was overlooked in the building of this home. In fact, the finishes convinced our judges to award Cooper Gardner honourable mention in the residential category. They couldn’t get enough of the millwork, tile and stone, which they described as “amazing and beautiful.”
Thanks to Cooper Gardner, the family got exactly what they wanted in their new home: traditional design and dramatic contemporary features that will never go out of style.
General Contractor–Century Construction Ltd.; Electrical Contractor–Audio Visual; Cabling–Brilliant Solutions; HVAC & Plumbing–AirCare; Flooring–Decorative Flooring of Bermuda Ltd.; Millwork–Convoy Custom Interiors, Woodfellows and E&G Craftshop Ltd.; Structural Engineer–Entech; Landscape Contractor–Patterson Landscapes; Tiling–Frank Marjuszycz and Aptech; Windows/Doors–Tischler und Sohn; Landscaper–Sarah Vallis
