Tour - Designing Connection: A Journey Through Space and Site - Saugerties,
Sponsored by:
Date: June 26, 2025
Time: 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Venue: Saugerties, NY 12477
Credits: 2 AIA HSW PDH
Parking is limited at the property and can accommodate only 8 cars on site. We are looking for volunteers willing to carpool and drive a few fellow enthusiasts to the private residence. If you’re interested, please check the box to sign up as a driver! After ticketing closes, we’ll send additional details, group attendees accordingly, and provide drivers with the address of the residence.
Cost:
Associate Members - $30
AIA Members - $50
Non-Members - $75
AIA Credits: 2 AIA HSW [ Credits have been submitted for approval and are pending confirmation.]
Schedule:
4:00 – 4:30 PM | Arrive at the meeting point and carpool to the house.
4:30 – 6:30 PM | Welcome, introductions, and guided tour of the home and property.
6:30 – 7:30 PM | Light refreshments and continued conversation, generously provided by Marvin.
Description:
Join Marica McKeel, AIA, principal of Studio MM for a tour of the firm’s IRIE House project in Ulster County. Organized along a singular axis that extends from interior to exterior, the house is composed of three distinct volumes. The main house includes an expansive main suite, a sunken living room and a screen porch for summer evenings. A covered walkway stretching along the main axis leads to the art studio, gym and guest suite, and then continues to the carport and garage. Created for a couple that works from home, but who enjoy spending time together, the house is designed with multiple outdoor spaces in which they can come together for morning coffee or an evening cocktail. This session explores how a clear client vision, strong site orientation and thoughtful architectural design can result in a unique and lasting home.
Learning Objectives:
1. Analyze how a linear floor plan with a strong central axis can encourage movement, promote connection and create privacy.
2. Evaluate strategies for maximizing indoor-outdoor relationships through the use of site orientation, glazing, courtyards, and multiple outdoor spaces that have distinct relationships with the site.
3. Understand the importance of designing to client lifestyle and identity—such as incorporating specialized spaces like art studios, home gyms, and functional laundry rooms—in creating personalized and enduring homes.
4. Examine how the use of millwork and other built-in elements can create functionality, privacy, and spatial division and hierarchy, while retaining the spirit of an open plan home.
