My Favorite Buildings
Though somewhat simple and not so unusual this South Buffalo house on Carlisle has a very distinctive presence. The straight forward form and bold front bungalow style porch with its strong protective enclosure is very charming. It is clad in an unusual stucco with a natural sand finish embedded with a dense layer of exposed pebbles. Truth be told this little house makes my list of favorite buildings for much more than its architecture. I may never have noticed it but for the fact that it was my Grandmother's house.
I have many fond early memories of this place. Having been an architect from birth I studied this house intensely as a child. It is embedded on my brain. I have not stepped inside for over 30 years but I could still draw a plan showing every nook and cranny.
t has a very unusual layout with two paths to the kitchen. One wound around past the bedrooms and the other through a wonderful bright pantry with a sink and tall built in floor to ceiling cabinets. Most likely they have been stripped out for something newer by now. The basement was a mysterious place with old coal bins converted to a fruit cellar. The living room has tall windows and a fire place surround made up of large smooth water worn stones. Out back is a tiny one car garage that matches the house (one car...can you imagine?...My grandmother did not even have a driver's license). The yard is deep allowing for a garden behind the garage. It always seemed like a far away place back in that garden. That wonderful front porch was a dreamy space. My grandmother had a massive three seat glider out there where we spent many hours. The whole house seemed big back then. I am sure it would be a different place to me now. Still, memories aside it is a very nice little building. One of the many that we are able to take for granted in Buffalo.
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