Nantucket Design Center - 9 Amelia Drive
Home to Chip Webster & Associates' Nantucket office, this building was designed and constructed in 1997. It houses two retail spaces on the ground level, with the architectural studio and a modern style apartment on the second level.
The building's exterior is a classic shingle style vernacular. A bridge-like form joins the simple composition of two masses, establishing the building's entrance and housing the office's conference room. Special attention was taken in the execution of the building's details, from the flared skirt on the second level, to the eave and bracket details of the roof.
The studio's interior proves a great use of natural light and utilization of locally crafted pieces. It takes on an unexpectedly unique character when compared to the somewhat traditional exterior of the building. The openness of the floor plan allows designers to collaborate and exchange ideas with ease, during project development. The conference room is flanked on the east and west by walls of windows, with a light filled cupola centered above.
The work lofts in the upper levels of the studio are brought together by an inverted suspension bridge. Light in its appearance and fabricated of aluminum rods, stainless steel cables and maple slats, the bridge spans above the main space. Fir beams were incorporated into the studio design and evoke a feeling of an old barn interior as opposed to an office environment.
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