When the owners of a 300-year-old Connecticut farmhouse decided to build a guesthouse for their kids and grandkids, the challenge was how to build comfortable quarters while honoring the main house. Architect Jon Butler knew it was important that the new home not overpower the old, while still maintaining its own presence and style.
To best function as a family getaway, the guesthouse needed to be an open plan, so Butler designed a double-height dining area with a bridge walkway overhead that connects the upstairs rooms. He opted for an eyebrow dormer, which unifies the upstairs and downstairs interior, as well as the front elevation. What’s more, it admits ample light and affords generous views. “When you’re standing on the bridge,” says Butler, “you can see clear to Long Island Sound.”