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FeedPerfecting Practicality
Area architect Lee Calisti demonstrates great home design is within everyone’s reach
Photos by Craig Thompson
“I don’t know too many architects that are linear thinkers,” notes Lee. He considers himself more of a divergent thinker, often thinking about several concepts simultaneously and jokes that he goes off into tangents easily.
Planning ahead
Although the house was completed just four months ago, the actual planning began in 1991 with a “small house idea.” Six miniature prototypes (on display in the first floor office) are a testimonial to years of trial and error planning. Lee knew the home in his mind years before building it.
“I think that small houses are the least disruptive to resources,” he says. Lee sees it as sort of a rebellion to the “McMansions” that are going up everywhere. “Big houses are just big,” he explains. “So, when something doesn’t work, you just make it bigger.”
With people equating good with big, Lee wanted to design a house for the average person, not just the millionaire. Blueprinting a small house that is functional, yet spacious and open, is more of a challenge because the focus is on eradicating all wasted space.
Building his family’s home on a lot within an existing neighborhood was the first step in minimizing resources. “People often build in an area where houses are going up like weeds. I have a philosophical disagreement with that approach to housing,” says Lee. “To recycle and build on an existing lot is eco-friendly.”
Innovative thinking
The house was designed as a simple box intended to be high-end but still affordable for the budget minded homeowner. “Economically it had to be simple to minimize construction costs,” Lee points out.
The outside façade is made mostly of red brick with Galvalume flat seam panels that extend out. Chosen to contrast the brick, Galvalume is a light siding material made of zinc and aluminum alloy over steel. This non-traditional and maintenance-free material gives the home an urban feel. Lee didn’t want to use all the “ornamental gingerbread” to make it look good. He admits his home, located in Greensburg, is unique for the area but has also received a favorable reaction from neighbors.
Upon entering this striking home, one is immediately taken back by the perfect blend of brilliantly colored walls. Both Lee and his wife Amy love color and didn’t want a sterile, iconic white house. Squash yellow, and terracotta paint cover opposing walls and are offset by doors saturated in a cement grey. “Yellow and grey are best friends,” says Lee.
Strategically placed inside of the front entranceway is the architect’s private and public office. He did not want his family to be disturbed by visiting clients. Set apart from the main living areas, the room has a functional and professional feel while still pulling in the rich warm flavor of the rest of the home. The office shows a first glimpse of the picturesque backyard view.
All living areas swing to the left of the front entrance, with a separation between public and private living spaces. The front of the house preserves privacy, having all service spaces (stairs, bathrooms, and hallways) positioned there. With all the wide open window walls situated on the back side of the home, the family can navigate without pulling blinds down.
A tapered hallway with natural beech hardwood floors is the main axis to the core living areas. Off to the left is a large piece of frosted glass which has been inset into the wall and was designed to borrow light from the living room and illuminate the stairway below.
Design with a purpose
“When you walk down the main axis, the view looks purposeful,” notes Lee. With the kitchen island and architectural bar top being the focal point of the view, it had to be consistent with the rest of the architecture.
The island is made of dark stained maple with a reveal to give the top a floating effect. A bar top allows for family interaction without getting in each others way, and the
L-shape was designed for improved functioning and traffic control. Tall backed bar stools, covered in taupe ultra suede are a magnetic pull for guests. This all rests on a gun metal colored linoleum floor that appears to be slate, but is soft on the feet. Natural maple cabinets with stainless pulls compliment the stainless steel appliances. Windows, lighting, counters, and overall fine details are thematic and consistent throughout the home.
The open living room and dining area flank the other side of the hallway and are devoid of walls. “Wide open space, ample lighting, and lots of glass help this small house feel spacious,” says Lee. “Perceived space is far more important than actual space.” Ceilings looming at different heights differentiate separate living spaces and are a great stand in for walls. With the main living spaces situated on the south side of the home, the family benefits from optimal light and heat.
The family room has chocolate velvety sofas that rest on natural maple legs. A television is nestled in a wall pocket so as not to attract too much attention. Even with their five-year-old son sharing the space, they wanted to create a room that felt like a retreat.
“We set up the room to walk in and feel the good things,” Lee explains. A jumbo-sized window allows a postcard view of the scenery. While the front of the house implies urban, the back of the house is pure suburbs.
The basics of good rest
Minimal, and wrapped in icy sky blue paint, the master bedroom has been designed with purpose. “Although it’s small, we wanted an uncluttered room that would feel serene, and restful,” says Lee.
An entire wall of closets becomes part of the architectural feature, and gives great character to the room. Maximizing space, the doors are frameless and open on a pivot hinge. A small private balcony awaits morning coffee outside.
The master bathroom has been downsized to accommodate the house. Efficient, but warm and inviting, the area has been compartmentalized for privacy reasons. The walls are a refreshing shade of aquamarine, and brushed nickel fixtures give both a clean and geometrical look. Keeping beat with the rest of the home a linoleum floor, maple vanity and Corian countertop mirror details of the kitchen below.
Making it their own
Painstaking detail has defined this architect’s home. His intent was never to make a big, or over the top house but rather one that was attainable for the average person. After designing houses for hundreds of people, this is the first time he had the chance to experience first hand what his clients feel.
“You tend to second guess yourself, and to question decisions when it’s your own home,” he says. There was a great deal of collaboration with Amy so that it would feel like “their” home.
Lee can sympathize with his clients now, and feels that he has walked in their shoes. “I think it makes me a better architect,” he adds. As demonstrated in the Calisti home, architecture doesn’t have to be palatial or ostentatious to be creative, beautiful and exciting.Resources
Architect: Lee Calisti, AIA, lee CALISTI architecture+designBuilder: Vince Building Company
Flooring: hardwood, Bellawood, ¾-inch natural beech (Lumber Liquidators); resilient, Forbo, Marmoleum Click (Faris Carpet)
Custom cabinetry: Andredas Kitchens
Countertops and backsplash: Corian, Formica
Sinks: Elkay, Corian
Faucets: Brizo, Cifial, Moen Plumbers Equipment
Custom kitchen bar top: Andredas Kitchens
Oven and dishwasher: Bosch
Refrigerator: Maytag
Range hood: Broan
Lighting: Besa, Progress, Lightolier, Modern Fan Co., Scott Electric
Wallcovering: paint, Sherwin-Williams (Harmony series)
Bath accessories: Bellacor
Windows: Pella Architect Series, Pella Commercial Division
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