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A PAIR OF ARCHITECTS EXPANDS A LOFTY CHARLES GWATHMEY MODERN FOR A GROWING FAMILY

Situated among gigantic Greenwich mansions concocted in the splendid styles of Tudor, Georgian and Colonial manors, a futuristic aluminum-clad contemporary house may be the neighborhood's most authentic antique as well as modern icon. This home was once the barn of a farm located on a now prominent town corner and had been updated during the 1970s by architect Charles Gwathmey. He opened the interior space, punched ribbon windows through the siding, brought in light with a wall of glass blocks and introduced other revolutionary innovations to create a home, which took its own place in architectural history.

This home was once the barn of a farm located on a now prominent town corner and had been updated during the 1970s by architect Charles Gwathmey. He opened the interior space, punched ribbon windows through the siding, brought in light with a wall of glass blocks and introduced other revolutionary innovations to create a home, which took its own place in architectural history.

The barn was purchased by a young family who bought it instantly after a realtor happened to take them by on a go-see "for the heck of it." "I understood at once what he [Gwathmey] was trying to do," says the owner, a financier. "Not a lot of small rooms, but an expansive open space. I got it." After six years, with the birth of a third child pending, the couple decided that they needed more space and contacted Gwathmey.

Reluctant to revisit his work, the architect recommended the firm of Stamberg Aferiat which would "respect the house but follow their own voice." The firm undertook revamping the original as well as adding bedrooms, a family room, an outdoor living room and a garage that doubles the size in an addition that is inspired by the barn elements but moves on to further elaborate Gwathmey's intentions.