A Fresh Twist on a Classic: Q+A with Kligerman Architecture & Design

With a legacy of designing homes that balance tradition with modern artistry—and a touch of whimsy—Kligerman Architecture & Design has long been recognized for its sculptural forms, meticulous detailing, and thoughtful materiality. 

As Kligerman expands its presence on Cape Cod, the firm brings a fresh perspective to the region’s classic shingle-style architecture, blending time-honored craftsmanship with a contemporary or transitional flair. In this conversation, we speak with Ross Padluck, Partner at Kligerman Architecture, about the firm’s approach to designing on the Cape, the inspirations that drive their work, and what’s next for their projects in the region.

1. Expanding to the Cape

BDG: Kligerman Architecture & Design has long been known for its presence in New York. What inspired the decision to expand to Cape Cod, and how do you see Kligerman’s design philosophy fitting into the architectural landscape of the Cape?

RP: We’ve worked in Massachusetts for decades, in addition to Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine. Though we’re based in New York, we work all over the country and internationally. A large part of our work has always been in New England. I think one of the reasons for our success in the area has been our ability to work in a range of styles, from a traditional shingle style to something more transitional or modern, with a touch of whimsy, amongst others. The shingle style has defined New England architecture for centuries, and we have a deep understanding of how to design with it to suit our clients’ tastes.

2. A Fresh Take on Coastal Homes

BDG: The classic Cape Cod shingle-style home has deep roots in the region. How are you reinterpreting this style with a fresh perspective?

RP: The beauty in the vernacular shingled homes is in their simplicity and respect for natural materials. They have an almost abstract quality to them, with tight detailing in the shingles and rakes, simple exterior trim, and basic roof forms. We’ve taken these design tenets and given them an edge and a twist. It might be a pinched rake detail that creates a deep shadow line in the summer sun; a chimney that comes to an impossibly thin point, or extra-wide paned windows that nod to a traditional detail but let in more light and views than their historical counterparts. We’re constantly reinventing the classics to create new ideas.

3. Design Process & Innovation

BDG: Your firm is known for its sculptural forms and meticulous detailing. What are your sources of inspiration for these elements, and how do you approach executing these highly unique designs?

RP: We have a library of more than 5,000 design books that is the heart of our office. Every project begins with a trip to the library. We draw inspiration from both contemporary structures and buildings of the past. Having an excellent builder is key to executing our vision for these details; we need someone who is as enamored with unique detailing as we are to make it a success. We do a lot of digital modelling in the office to study and work the details out, and then build full-scale mockups on site to ensure the details are captured and to ensure constructability. 

4. Personalization & Client Collaboration

BDG: Your projects are highly personalized. How do you work with clients to create homes that feel both timeless and tailored to their lifestyles?

RP: It is imperative to understand how our clients live currently and how they will use the home that we will design for them. The homes we design are reflective of our clients; every client and family is different, with a specialized set of programmatic needs and tastes. It could be anything from designing around an established art collection to having all of the bedrooms face the morning sun. Our clients trust our aesthetic approach and creative vision for producing homes of exceptional quality.

BDG: What are some of the most exciting or unexpected requests you’ve received for a Cape project so far?

RP: When designing a beach cottage for a family with deep ties to the Navy, they requested a room overlooking the Bay that’s designed like the bridge of a ship. It’s a fascinating space adorned with vintage marine instruments and offers stunning panoramic water views. 

5. Looking Ahead

BDG: How do you see the future of coastal home design evolving, and how does Kligerman plan to contribute to that evolution?

RP: Coastal design is about responding to the local environment and ecosystem. Rising tides and erosion are facts of life in the areas in which we work. Even though a project may be coastal, it needs to be sited properly to avoid ecologically sensitive areas. We prefer to restore previously developed sites as much as we can with native planting and by returning grades to their natural elevations. Elevating structures in flood zones is par for the course, and so is selecting materials that can withstand the harsh conditions of building on the coast.

BDG: What’s next for Kligerman on the Cape? Any exciting projects on the horizon?

RP: We have a beautiful home under construction in Chatham that will be completed this summer. We’re working on a series of family homes tucked into the dunes of Mid Cape, and, across the Sound, a historic renovation in Sconset.