Field House
a place in a landscape
Summary
The hush of meadow grasses, stillness of wide open spaces, and crunch of gravel underfoot greet this linear and low-lying retreat in upstate New York. A tranquil modern refuge, it offers a seamless union of architecture and landscape for a family seeking renewal and retreat in the countryside.
Idea
How can a contemporary house feel both modern and man-made, and like a long-buried landform? In what ways can new buildings harmonize with the environment without skimping on design? These were the questions that guided our architectural approach.
Expression
Rustic materials are reconsidered through simple and crispy yet rigorously studied linework. From afar, the long, flat roof camouflages the home into the landscape as if it’s been there all along. On closer approach, the exterior’s weathered wood, arranged in vertical planks, reflects a silvery sheen that will only deepen with time. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows create clear sightlines through the house and out into the meadow, blurring the boundary between inside and out. A sauna sits at the border of sheltered and exposed to the elements, while always prioritizing privacy.