Residence R is situated on a street in Newton, MA, a neighborhood in Boston where most of the homes are classic Tudors. When the clients asked Elena to design a new residence for them, Elena was faced with the challenge of creating contextual architecture without falsifying the age of the new structure.

Elena accomplished the task by basing the design of the structure on 45-degree angles in both the plan and the facades. The steep roofs echo those of the surrounding Tudors; while the detailing is modern and unique to this house. The exterior stucco and wood trim materials also help to relate the house to the neighborhood.

Residence R is one of the first homes designed by Elena Kalman; she is currently working on a new vacation home for the same client in New Hampshire.