The house itself becomes part of a living art experience with tricks of the eye and insider surprises. For example, when seated at the head of the dining room table, the cut-out in the far wall aligns perfectly with a square window view which has been carved into the rotunda wall beyond.
Dennis Kowal Architects uses the strong values of a client to shape the environment. A desired cross-axis plan is unusual for a home and provides a unique opportunity for gallery space. Art and Antiques throughout the home are reminders for the residents of many happy memories while the live orchids bring a touch of well being to the space. Flower placement was designed as art within the home.
The rotunda windows sweep upwards shadowing the grand spiral staircase inside. Climbing the stairs, the window-ports “frame” views to the everglades much like living art displayed on a curved gallery wall.
Dennis Kowal Architects serves clients in eleven states and three foreign countries from kowalarchitects.com
This design by Dennis Kowal Architects features an infinity soaking tub that constantly re-heats and recirculates the bath water so it stays the same temperature while you bathe. The hot water is efficiently supplied by an instantaneous gas-fired water heater that has no holding tank or wasted energy from keeping a tank of water in the ready.
The room was designed around a historic French castle window that was salvaged and imported as the focal point of the room. The original paint and patina of brass bars frame to a view of a private garden and fountain when the casement window is opened. A custom oval window with a bit of double rolled tinted glass is designed to coordinate with the glass in the castle window.
But the best feature is the paperless toilet that washes you with warm water, dries you with a warm air dryer, and a seat that memorizes your bathroom schedule and has the seat heated and ready for you when you wake up! Anything you do three days in a row gets automatically added to the schedule.
Remote controls operate the water jets and toilet dryer. But, yes, it is always nice to have a roll of the soft stuff handy as well as to occasionally open the castle window to reveal the hand-cast brick garden wall and private fountain view.
Dennis Kowal Architects designs fine homes that reflect the occupants personality, taste and interests. Inspiration for this private bathroom garden view came from the Owner’s stay in Antigua, Guatemala. DKA provides project management, complete architecture, and full interior design services from contemporary designs to full historic preservation. While technology is fully embraced (as shown above with the cascading Jacuzzi tub, hidden sound system and remote controlled toilet), it always takes a back seat to comfort and beautiful design.
Dennis Kowal Architects added this “Bistro” wing addition to an 1845 Victorian private residence. Designed for intimate dining and conversation, this home “restaurant” intentionally sits four couples at two tables with panoramic views to terraces and a rolling landscape.
Cast iron column bases, structural iron cord ties and a cast metal fire place are reminiscent of craftsmanship and days long gone while adding stability and comfort to this relaxing environment. While eating out is a wonderful distraction, dining in with a place to showcase gourmet cooking and share fond memories is priceless.
Dennis Kowal Architects creates fine residences and vacation homes which are so engaging … you won’t need to leave home!
This Victorian Farmhouse Kitchen really works. Everything has a place and the views to the Kitchen from the Dining Room only reveal the presentable cabinet displays and not the dirty dishes or stove pans. A Pasta Sink provides a fifth cooking location with direct drain of the boiling hot water. Organized drawer slides have set places for knives and utensils to reduce the clutter and digging to find something in a drawer.
Dennis Kowal Architects designs with service and function in mind while capturing the atmosphere and charm of each residence. Even the range hood is faced in wood with ceramic tile edge to match the custom back splash. And because this Kitchen is both appealing and functional, it is well used.
Designing a home is like finding the right music. The tempo, orchestration, lyrics, and mood of your favorite music can lift you up, hang peacefully in the background, bring life to your party or accent a major event. Imagine if your home was like listening to someone else’s playlist over and over. A home design that resonates with the very lifestyle and movements of its occupants becomes a harmonic experience where each improves the other. At Dennis Kowal Architects, we shape the home, land and interior design to complement the way you live.
Traditional
Danish Modern
Historic Preservation
Contemporary
English Cottage
Colonial
Luxury
Carriage House & Landforming
DENNIS KOWAL ARCHITECTS designs homes that fit your lifestyle
Shakespeare in Love! This English-cottage inspired design greets guests with a two-story rotunda and curved staircase tower. Creeping ivy, steep-sloped roofs, bay windows, low eaves and a meandering walk create a small scale charm for this 7,500 square foot home.
When you travel for a living, a welcoming home provides a much needed grounding. With a picturesque exterior and a timeless interior, the owners desired a setting to host dinner parties, display their art, write books and fit an extensive collection of antique furniture. “We designed a place, not just a house. Building and land blend seamlessly creating a constantly unfolding experience of new, intimate and relaxed spaces inside and out.” said Kowal of his design that puts equal emphasis on landscape, contours, architecture and natural light.
A garden path to a second private entrance allows guest-authors to stay in their own Wing and work on their books without interruption. The L-shaped house features a four-car carriage house with a second floor office for this national speaker, writer and consultant.
While most contemporary homes are designed on the open plan, forcing movement through a room to access the next room, the open plan in this home is paralleled with delightful walkways lined with art, orchids and natural light at the crossings. Guests, hosts or caterers can circumnavigate the occupied rooms when necessary and then enjoy the open arrangements at other times. “The experience is like wandering through forest chases and arriving at welcoming, open groves along the way”.
Interiors feature thickened masonry walls and arches to bring permanence and solidity to this design while playful small interior openings between some rooms present pre-designed views of nature, natural light and displays. An interior art gallery and library ends in a two story apse bathed in natural light and second floor views from above.
Site, style, scale, and the lifestyle of the occupants all combine to achieve a master plan for living with nature and retreating from the hassles of airports, highways and business. Several different groups can be in the same house and not interrupt one another but the centrality of the floor plan and the overlooking second floor interior balconies brings everyone together when desired. Exterior walkways, terraces, docks and covered spaces, all designed by DENNIS KOWAL ARCHITECTS, provide leisurely connections to the land and waterways. The perfect author’s retreat!
DENNIS KOWAL ARCHITECTS designs homes that resonate with their environment and the people that use them.
denniskowalarchitects 