need. If we did nothing else but dedicate a space to all of the
stuff, it would be much better.” She adds, “We say, ‘We’ll design
mudrooms, outdoor showers, and spring porches, and if you want,
we will design a house to go with that too.’”
For Neubauer, intelligent design is less about grand great
rooms, formal dining rooms, and large master bedrooms
and more about the intimate spaces where family activities
take place—a kitchen island around which children do their
homework, a dining table with a built-in bench where everyone
gathers to play cards, a nook with a chair—perfect for viewing a
sunrise—or a bed built into an alcove rather than plopped in the
midst of four straight walls.
Each project represents a story to Neubauer, from her
imaginings of how spaces will be enjoyed to the experiences
she has with her clients as she creates them. “The projects that
are really terrific,” she says, “are the ones where the clients
really embrace this wonderful adventure. I rarely separate the
architecture from the experience we had.”
To keep her perspective fresh and inspirational ideas flowing,
Neubauer turns to travel, reading (mostly about business and
visual people), and collaborating with a host of creative people.
She worked with many of her favorites on a new home for
Gunning Point clients. Pairpoint Glass of Sandwich created the
colorful globes and pendants for the kitchen and dining room,
Cor Metals in Mashpee made accents for the kitchen island,
Saltwoods in Boston made the dining table, and Retrocraft Design
in Concord provided furnishings. Her approach to the design
On a new home for Gunning Point clients (top),
Neubauer designed a variety of windows that
provide peeks into the surrounding environment.
AT HOME ON CAPE COD 50 • SPRING/SUMMER 2020
PHOTOS: PETER VANDERWARKER