Cioppa Architects LLC named one of Westchester's 14 Top Architects!

Westchester's 14 Best Architects

14 architects who are changing the way the county looks—and lives.

We searched back through a decade of AIA award winners, and queried its membership along with interior designers, realtors, and builders, on who they thought was the top talent in the county (no fair voting for yourself!). Many of the names were familiar to us, for good reason—we’ve seen their award-winning designs time and time again over the years. But we also were introduced to some terrific new talent as well. We think their work speaks for itself.


Photography by Curtis R. Lew

CAROL A. CIOPPA AIA LEED AP

Cioppa Architects LLC
92A Fancher Rd, Pound Ridge (914) 764-1549; carolacioppa@cioppaarchitectsllc.com

A two-time AIA Award-winner, Carol Cioppa has a flair for transforming humdrum homes.

In Croton, Carol Cioppa transformed a 1960s ugly duckling into a light-filled showplace. She kept the footprint, adding nine feet to one end and a generous second floor, siting the house to take advantage of the Hudson River views. “The property was overgrown when they bought it,” says Cioppa. “Now, everytime I go there it takes my breath away.”

Also in Pound Ridge, she took a bland 1960s ranch and added a front porch and a partial second story for a master suite and offices.

In Pound Ridge, Cioppa created a new hardscape and a sleek outdoor pavilion for a 1950s home.



The blueprint: “My expertise is in turning an old house that has been totally destroyed by bad additions into a jewel. I don’t seem to get projects that are easy to solve.” Notable project: “I was asked to take a simple 1960s ranch in Pound Ridge and add a partial second floor to house a master suite and home offices. This very low-budget project won an AIA Westchester Hudson Valley award. Your client doesn’t have to spend a million dollars to get a good project and have it be recognized as such.” Smartest move: “My clients are my collaborators. I try to make their dreams come true, not my dreams.” Most annoying client: “The one who took almost three months to sign my contract. Then, after the project was done and they raved about how fabulous it was, they decided not to pay me for site supervision and the structural engineer we had agreed to hire.” Favorite architects: “Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier." Inspired by: “New buildings, interiors, and landscapes. I visit hotel lobbies as well as restaurants. Magazines, too—I get way too many!”

Monday, February 13, 2012

Contact Information

Address: 92 Fancher Road, Pound Ridge, NY 10576
Phone: 914 764 1549
Email Address: carolacioppa@cioppaarchitectsllc.com

THE HUDSON RIVER PROJECT

THE HUDSON RIVER PROJECT
FINALLY COMPLETED

THE HUSDON RIVER PROJECT BEFORE WE STARTED

THE HUSDON RIVER PROJECT BEFORE WE STARTED
MISMATCHED STYLES AND LACK OF AN ENTRY AND FOCUS WERE CHALLENGES

THE NEW ENTRY TOWERETTE

THE NEW ENTRY TOWERETTE
WE ADDED A STAIR TOWER WHICH HAD A VIEW ALL AROUND AS YOU WENT UP THE STAIRS

THE WONDERFUL RIVER VIEW FROM THE LIVING ROOM

THE WONDERFUL RIVER VIEW FROM THE LIVING ROOM
CONTRARY TO THE OLD LIVING ROOM, THIS SPACE NOW TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE VIEW. NEW STRUCTURAL PNE BEAMS ADD CHARACTER AS DOES THE CUSTOM FRENCH LIMESTONE FIREPLACE

THE HUDSON RIVER PROJECT LIVING ROOM BEFORE WE STARTED

THE HUDSON RIVER PROJECT LIVING ROOM BEFORE WE STARTED
THIS SPACE HAD ONE 6' SLIDER WHICH OPENED ONTO A TINY DECK. THIS WAS THE ONLY VIEW OF THE RIVER. THE BRICK FIREPLACE LACKED ANY CHARACTER AND THE ROOM WAS VERY SMALL

THE HUSDON RIVER PROJECT

THE HUSDON RIVER PROJECT
BY USING WINDOWS AT THE CORNERS, WE CAPTURED AN ALMOST 180 DEGREE RIVER VIEW. THE CLEARSTORY WINDOWS BRING IN AS MUCH SKY WITH OUT CUSTOMIZING THE WINDOW SIZES.

THE HUSDON RIVER PROJECT FROM THE RIVER SIDE

THE HUSDON RIVER PROJECT FROM THE RIVER SIDE
THE NEW ADDITION UTILIZED FORMER CELLAR SPACE TO CREATE A LIVING AREA FOR THIER TWO TEENAGE DAUGHTERS. FROM THIS SPACE, YOU WALK OUT THROUGH FRENCH DOORS ONTO ONE OF THE MANY PLANTED TERRACES.

THE HUDSON RIVER PROJECT BEFORE RENOVATION

THE HUDSON RIVER PROJECT BEFORE RENOVATION
TINY DEKS AND FEW WINDOWS KEPT THE OWNERS FROM ENJOYING THE VIEW. SPACE UNDER THE DECK WAS A DEAD ZONE.

THE HUDSON RIVER PROJECT LOOKING NORTH

THE HUDSON RIVER PROJECT LOOKING NORTH
THE BACK ELEVATION AND TERRACE GIVES FULL VIEWS OF THE HUSDON RIVER

NEW STONE GARAGE COMPLETED

NEW STONE GARAGE COMPLETED
THE VIEW AS YOU COME UP THE ROAD

NEW GARAGE, POTTING SHED & UPPER STUDIO

NEW GARAGE, POTTING SHED & UPPER STUDIO
FINALLY COMPLETED - This new garage was designed to marry with a home built in the late 1700's. In order to reduce the scale and add needed amenities, a potting shed was designed as an addition to relate to the scale of the home. A studio is above the garage and is entered from the upper story by a ramp like an old barn.

THE NEW GARAGE CONCEPT

THE NEW GARAGE CONCEPT
SEEN FROM ANOTHER ANGLE - This is the entry to the studio. The potting shed is entered on the lower level & sits beneath a porch. It will eventually be stained white to match the clapboard on the house.

PREVIEW INSIDE

PREVIEW INSIDE
LOOKING UP AT THE CUPOLA

PREVIEW OF INSIDE THE NEW STUDIO SPACE

PREVIEW OF INSIDE THE NEW STUDIO SPACE
THE VIEW FROM INSIDE LOOKING SOUTH

LANDSCAPE DESIGN SERVICES

A WINNER OF THE GARDEN DESIGN MAGAZINE GOLDEN TROWEL AWARD, CAROL CIOPPA HAS CREATED FROM SCRATCH AND RENOVATED A VARIETY OF GARDENS FROM QUITE SIMPLE TO ELEGANT & COMPLEX. A FEW BELOW SHOW THE BEFORE AND AFTER TRANSFORMATIONS.

THE PATH TO THE POOL BEFORE THE REDESIGN

THE PATH TO THE POOL BEFORE THE REDESIGN
A TINY ROUGH PATH LED FROM THE EXPOSED ROCK LEDGE WITH NO PLANTINGS OR SCREENING OF THE POOL AREA FROM THE DRIVEWAY

NEW PATH TO THE POOL GARDEN

NEW PATH TO THE POOL GARDEN
PHASE 2 OF THE GARDEN RENOVATION INVOLVED A NEW PATH AND PLANTINGS

A RENOVTION TO A WALL FOUNTAIN MORE SUITED TO THE LANDSCAPE

A RENOVTION TO A WALL FOUNTAIN MORE SUITED TO THE LANDSCAPE
“Carol transformed my landscaping and property. She transplanted a great deal of the existing planting and created a new landscape which was sensitive to my budget. She had a vision for my home that was right on!!! In the end, I fell in love with my home all over again. Carol was one of the most talented professionals I ever worked with. I look forward to my next project so I can work with her again.”

THE ORIGINAL WALL AND NON-WORKING FOUNTAIN

THE ORIGINAL WALL AND NON-WORKING FOUNTAIN
EXISTING WALL DID NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAY AND ROAD

AN ENTRY GARDEN GATE

AN ENTRY GARDEN GATE
THE NEW VIEW FROM THE PARKING AREA “Carol Cioppa of Cioppa Architects, LLC has transformed my home. The front of my home had a very drab, boring landscape. Under the wonderful tutelage of CA, this drab uninteresting front became a dynamic, beautiful and interesting part of my home. Her ability to choose plants and materials that blend so well and flower all the time is truly a gift not many in the field possess. Her knowledge of plants is truly evident in the plants she chose. They are a variety of various textures, shades and heights. To look at the landscaping of my home is now a pleasure for all senses.”

FROM THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE GARDEN

FROM THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE GARDEN
NO GARDEN GATE HERE BEFORE

BEFORE THE NEW GARDEN & GATE TO THE DRIVEWAY

BEFORE THE NEW GARDEN & GATE TO THE DRIVEWAY
THE CLIENT NEEDED TO SEPARATE HER PARKING AREA FROM HER GARDEN. IT WAS A TOUGH SITE UNDER SHADE TREES AND IN FULL VIEW OF THE DRIVEWAY

THE NEW GARDEN & GATE

THE NEW GARDEN & GATE
RIGHT PLANT RIGHT PLACE AND A MAINTANANCE FREE FENCE