Elizabeth Roberts, the architect whose work graces the pages of Architectural Digest, possesses a seemingly paradoxical approach to design. While her spaces exude an aura of perfection – warm, composed, airy, and undeniably beautiful – Roberts insists, “I lean towards imperfection.” This apparent contradiction is perhaps best understood through the lens of her latest project, a Catskills mountain house in Roscoe, New York.
This project, a haven built around centuries-old stone walls, encapsulates Roberts’s philosophy. It is a testament to her deep respect for history and nature, a theme that permeates her entire body of work. Roberts’s keen eye for natural materials, especially oak and marble (lots of marble, as seen in Athena Calderone’s former townhouse in Cobble Hill), infuses her creations with an organic undertone. Her ability to harness sunlight, flooding rooms with a gentle, ethereal glow, is a rare skill, particularly in the context of New York City.
Roberts, who grew up amidst the dramatic landscapes of Northern California, credits her upbringing for her design sensibilities. “I think there’s some kind of earthy Northern California girl in me that is always having a little bit of conversation with New York City,” she explains.
Her expertise extends beyond residential projects. She transformed a 1927 auto-repair shop into the Rachel Comey store in SoHo and a parking lot into the Brooklyn Museum’s sculpture garden. These projects showcase Roberts’s ability to breathe new life into existing structures, a talent that has made her a sought-after specialist in historic renovation.
Wendy Goodman, in the foreword to Roberts’s new monograph, “Elizabeth Roberts Architects: Collected Stories,” aptly describes her as a “house whisperer.” Roberts seems to possess an uncanny ability to understand the unseen forces in the past of a project, sensing its history and potential. “She creates character and purpose within a space that first and foremost invites comfort, ease, relaxation, and enjoyment,” Goodman writes.
The Catskills mountain house is a perfect example of Roberts’s philosophy in action. The house, nestled amongst the ancient stone walls, seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape. It’s a testament to her ability to merge past and present, creating a space that feels both timeless and contemporary, a true reflection of her unique approach to architecture.
Roberts’s new book, “Elizabeth Roberts Architects: Collected Stories,” published by Phaidon, offers a glimpse into her captivating world, a world where history, nature, and design converge in a beautiful and harmonious symphony.
