Architect Louis R. Colalillo…….”Capturing the sun and shadows”
Famed cinematographer Conrad Hall was probably speaking of film making when he said “Manipulating shadows and tonality is like writing music or a poem.”
But he could have just as easily been speaking of Great Neck architect Louis R. Colalillo’s innovative design for this beautiful new Sands Point home.
“Certainly one feature repeated throughout the design of this 6,000 square foot residence,” agrees the architect, is the various ways that the sun light has been incorporated to cast moving shadows throughout the day.
For example, sunlight pours through “eyebrow” dormers that not only embellish the exterior like pieces of fine jewelry but act as prisms for a spectacular visual experience from the interior.”Louis explains that, in particular, the dormers were carefully aligned so as to capture the mid-day sun. This he says, allows sunlight to pour through the front “eyebrow” dormer, down through the center of the house and illuminate the two story high interior space of the great room.
The homeowners agree, says the husband. “I find that the sunlight strikes like little jewels against the center the French doors leading out to the rear yard.
It’s not like a lot of houses that are pretty on the outside but inside it’s just square rooms.” He adds. “No, it’s like looking at a beautiful jewelry box that, once you open it, it’s even prettier on the inside.”
To the architect, and to these two new Sands Point converts, architecture is in itself art. The wife emphasizes that she has purposely decorated their new home simply, in muted tones, and in the quite arts and crafts style, so as not to detract from what’s been accomplished architecturally.
“I am a very simple person,” she explains. “I had to be pushed occasionally by my husband and Louis to allow the inclusion of some details but I’m so glad they convinced me. I love what’s been done.”
She adds that she truly appreciates how Louis articulated perfectly one request that both of them wanted in common: to bring the outdoors inside.
“No matter where you are in the house you feel as if the outdoors
is right there,” She says. “A lot of modern homes with as much glass as this are over-whelmed by it all. But Louis broke it up with beautiful doors, bay windows and with changes in details like columns and moldings, etc., that is simply magnificent.”
Both homeowners add that getting to this finished concept took patience and real listening on the part of the architect.
“They have such very different tastes in style,” says Louis.
“While both favored a traditional shingle style home, their tastes diverged from there. She leans toward a simplified composition, where her husband favors a more active, detailed style.”
The architect’s most striking design feature came as a way to meet their different tastes. Creating a modern and unique interpretation of the traditional two tiered “gambrel” roof design. And while there are some design similarities on both facades, such as Louis projected the eaves casting shadows that define the Gambrel roof lines.
The front façade, the purest expression of the gambrel style, is where I incorporated the elegant, graceful qualities which she loves,” says the architect.
“I designed a barrel – vaulted portico that swoops out of the main roof rather than being attached and seamed into it.”
The front façade is also graced with an attractive pergola in the shed roof over the porch where sunlight filters through onto a veranda style porch and into the kitchen.
“The rear façade over-looking the patio, swimming pool and rear yard,” says Colalillo, “was a more appropriate space to add the intricate and elaborate details, which he appreciates.”
On viewing the back, one is captivated by the dramatic flow of undulating curves that are the eyebrow dormers and eaves, which create a more fluid expression of architecture than in the front. An elegant balcony, serving the master bedroom suite, adds rich details and, underneath, a graceful portico supported by stately columns, offering more beautiful accents.
In addition to their divergent tastes in style, the homeowners explain that the layout of the property require a particular footprint, resulting in a finished structure that is 40 by 91 feet.
“Considering these challenges,” says the husband, I am amazed at what was accomplished. “I give Louis credit for all of that. I find the art created by the architecture is what I enjoy the most. I find it soothing. And I also love the volume of space created by the high ceilings even on the second floor, which Louis continued into the master bedroom and bath.”
He also explains how much he enjoys sitting around with a glass of wine and talking with his wife. “Whenever I look over her shoulder or upward, I think “wow!” that’s a beautiful vista – whether it’s just a corner in a room, the molding, or looking out a window to the landscaping outside.”
His wife loves something else, something that everyone who visits always mentions. “After being inside just a short while, everyone - to a person - says how extraordinary it is that you feel on the one hand that each room you are in is intimate and cozy, yet at the same time one feels a sense of openness and expanse.” She adds that she believes people are responding to Louis’ particular talent in creating rich architectural details that define space yet do not close you in. “But most of all, I believe is the architect’s use of windows and the planning for light and shadows that is so unique to what he has created for us.”
Perhaps, then cinematographer Conrad Hall would extend his appreciation of shadows and tonality beyond film making to architecture – where experience is not only poetic and rhythmic but real life made magical.