Following a successful collaboration on the original farmhouse, the clients and Hendricks Churchill eventually worked on the second phase of the project. The team had discussed a broader scope during the original renovation but suggested that they hold off until the family was settled and enjoying life in their new home. A little time living on the property seemed like a good idea before doubling the scope and budget.
It was during the Covid-19 pandemic that the owners decided to leave Manhattan to live full time in Sharon, Connecticut. While living with two teenagers, working from home, and accommodating a steady flow of guests, the family decided it was time for the second phase. This started with a master plan for the property, along with a carriage house, a greenhouse, and a swimming pool.
There were discussions about having a physical connection, via a tunnel or a corridor, between the main house and a new carriage house–Rafe having realized both strategies on previous projects. The design team, however, opted for a freestanding structure to ensure the composition of buildings felt traditionally authentic and in keeping with the rural setting.
