Faced With a Personal Design Problem, Architect Goes Vertical
What do you do if you are one of a handful of architects living in a resort community who is faced with having to replace your home's exterior? You know that anything you do will be high profile and, to complicate matters, you own an early 1970s contemporary house, complete with jutting roof lines and angular soffits, windows and walls. Well, you can do what architect Michael Bengis did and choose a relatively new product - vertical vinyl siding.
"I feel there is a segment of architects and homeowners who may have dismissed the idea of vinyl. The vertical applications open up a new avenue of thought. Neighbors come by all the time to ask about the vertical siding and to tell me how good it looks. They say it's unique," said Michael Bengis, R.A.
And so is the Bengis residence. The modern-style home boasts 33 windows and many challenges for installation. Bengis found Joseph Murphy & Sons to install the vertical application on his 2½-story home. Said Joe Murphy, "We do custom work so it was an interesting challenge to take on a vertical application. The house itself is unique with lots of different angles."
This product, specifically designed for a vertical application, shows the versatility of vinyl siding in creating a one-of-a-kind look. Said Murphy, "People don't realize they can put vertical vinyl siding on a house. The house was perfect for the application because it was over 12 feet high and wasn't shaped like a box. Vertical siding seems to work particularly well with houses that are tall with many angles."
Although the market for vertical siding is relatively small in comparison to traditional vinyl siding, Alcoa Building Products recognized the potential for growth in this niche, particularly among the architects and designers who spec the jobs. Jeff Peskowitz, vice president of marketing for Alcoa Building Products, said, "This product, which is certified by the Vinyl Siding Institute, appeals to architects and designers who look to the aesthetics planned into a home."
Mr. Bengis is patient with the many questions he continues to receive and is proud of his home. "We were able to achieve exactly what I envisioned. The siding complements the original design of the home and enhances its contemporary features," Bengis concluded. Michael Bengis has been an architect for 24 years and has managed his own firm for 20 years under the name The Bengis Organization. He resides in Hopatcong, New Jersey.