Description

Set within the prestigious Khakum Wood neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut, master planned by the legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, this 7,000-square-foot custom brick home was envisioned as a long-term residence for a young and growing family. The owners requested we craft a design that would both honor the neighborhood’s architectural heritage and fulfill their aspirations for a refined yet livable homestead.

The chosen style, Georgian Revival architecture, resonates deeply with the character of the community, where early 20th-century Georgian and Tudor Revival homes establish a storied precedent. Known for its symmetry, austerity, and understated elegance, the Georgian Revival vocabulary provided the ideal balance between timeless architectural character and the family’s desire for a home designed for modern living.

At the heart of the front elevation, a two-story central gable announces the entry with quiet grandeur. A semi-circular portico, supported by attenuated pilasters and crowned with a delicately detailed fanlight, frames the front door as a focal point. Above, a second-story Palladian window completes the composition, adding rhythm and hierarchy to the symmetrical façade.

In keeping with the Georgian tradition, additional exterior ornamentation remains measured and refined. A simplified Corinthian entablature encircles the residence, each modillion casting crisp shadows that animate the brickwork without overwhelming it. The masonry itself is a central feature: handmade, oversized bricks laid in Flemish bond recall the craftsmanship of the 18th century while visually softening and scaling the home’s handsome exteriors.

Inside, the architectural language continues with period-inspired detailing arched openings, paneled walls, and hand-crafted oak floors that convey a sense of continuity with the home’s Georgian Revival identity. Yet this residence is far from a museum piece. Integrating modern residential technologies, the design incorporates state-of-the-art LED lighting and geothermal systems, ensuring sustainable performance and everyday comfort.

The interiors balance formality with warmth, offering multiple working fireplaces to infuse spaces with an inviting glow. Each room underscores the commitment to harmonizing tradition with the conveniences of modern living.

Designing the grounds within an Olmsted-planned neighborhood required a similarly thoughtful approach. Guided by the English picturesque tradition that informed Olmsted’s own work, the landscape was conceived as a seamless extension of the architecture.

At the rear of the residence, a sweeping lawn framed by mature trees provides both privacy and serenity. A bluestone terrace extends from the house, creating a graceful outdoor living space that transitions into a winding path leading to the pool and pavilion.

Constructed of teak with traditional timber framing, the pavilion embodies a rustic retreat, adorned with decorative brackets and expressive rafter tails. Its gently curving yellow cedar shingle roof adds sculptural character while providing shelter from summer sun or sudden rain, reinforcing the home’s balance of utility and artistry.

Every element of this residence, from its hand-laid brick to its thoughtfully composed grounds, demonstrates the enduring value of luxury residential design rooted in expert craftsmanship. By aligning the home with the architectural traditions of Khakum Wood while integrating sustainable technologies and contemporary comforts, Charles Hilton Architects created a property that feels at once timeless and tailored to modern life.

This Georgian Revival brick home is not merely a place to live, but a generational homestead, an architecture of permanence and grace designed to grow with the family it serves

For more examples of our new residential architecture you are invited to visit https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/new-homes, and to read our blog on designing modern Georgian homes please visit https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/designing-a-georgian-style-home.