A spectacular 140 acres of land in Columbia County, New York is the site of this project. The scale and mere beauty of the nature required a careful study of landscape and a master-plan for sitting the structures while simultaneously maintaining much of its rugged and rural beauty. The master-plan includes a main house, a guest house, large shed (for land maintenance equipment), vegetable garden and a dipping pool.
Conceptually the whole project and the main house are designed as a collection of volumes, which are a modern reinterpretation of farm structures, barn and storage sheds one finds on the surrounding farm lands. Just like the old farm structures, the house volumes are abstract sculptural forms with walls slanted simulating the swayed barns ready to fall down. The space and gap between each volume and structure creates an intimate setting similar to the farm settings nearby.
It is however the integration into the land contours, engagement of the rock croppings, and use of green technology that is making this country home a smart getaway from New York City. 13 large solar panels (12’x13’) installed like works of art in the landscape provide the required electricity for the house. Deep geothermal wells assist with heating and cooling. The mechanical parts of the house are monitored by a computer that reports back to the owner around the clock. Temperature, alarm system, shades, and lighting are also all controlled by the owner via a touch of a button.
Finally it is the use of sustainable materials, green design, cutting edge technologies combined with simple, pod-like structures wrapped in Ipe wood, composed around a swimming pool with two large stone fireplaces (outdoor and indoor) that make this country house smart and special.
Material Used :
1. Structural System:Concrete Slab On Grade With Steel And Wood Framing. Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls.
2. Exterior Cladding: All Brazilian Walnut (Ipe) And Stucco
3. Metal/Glass Curtain Wall: Arcadia Sliding Window And Window Walls Rainscreen: Brazilian Walnut (Ipe)
4. Wood: Brazilian Walnut (Ipe)
5. Moisture Barrier: Grace, Preprufe 200 Membrane
6. Other Cladding Unique To This Project: Interlocking Stone Cladding
7. Roofing Elastomeric: Epdm Roofing By Firestone Roofing Systems
8. Metal: Anodized Aluminum- Cheney Flashing Company
9. Windows Metal Frame: Aluminum Clear Anodized Finish- Arcadia
10. Glazing Glass: Low E Temprered Glass- Cardinal Glass Industries
11. Doors Entrances: Custom Solid Ipe Wood
12. Metal Doors: Arcadia Aluminum And Glass Sliding Doors- All Exterior Doors Wood Doors: Solid Wood Doors, Painted- All Interior Doors
13. Sliding Doors: Arcadia Aluminum Clear
14. Upswinging Doors, Other: Upswing Aluminum Glass — Garage Door
15. Hardware Locksets: Omnia- Tmortised Lockset Closers: Stanley- Polished Chrome. Pemko- Polished Chrome Pulls: Froms + Surfaces- Classic Door Pull In Polished Stainless Steel
16. Interior Finishes Paints And Stains: Benjamin Moore
17. Cabinetwork And Custom Woodwork: Kitchen- Custom Stainless Steel Cabintery By Danver
18. Bathroom- Custom Ipe Wood Veneer And Recycled Hammered Zinc
19. Floor And Wall Tile (Cite Where Used): Floors- Georgette, Marble, Honed Finish Stone Flooring (Interior & Exterior) Walls- Island Stone By Artisitc Tile, Rustic Silver Quartzitic Slate (Interior —Master Bedroom Wall, Fireplace Wall. Exterior- Outdoor Living Area)
20. Special Interior Finishes Unique To This Project: Interlocking Stone Tiles By Artisitc Tile
21. Lighting Interior Ambient Lighting: Panasonic Specialty Lighting Indust. Inc. Bega Recessed Wall Luminaire
22. Downlights: Bk Lighting Halo Bega- Recessed Ceiling Task Lighting: Alkco- Miniature Under Cabinet Lighting Exterior: Bega Dimming System Or Other Lighting Controls: Lutron
23. Energy Photovoltaic System: Electrical Energy Is Supplied By 9 Solar Panels That Provide 25kw/H. Cooling And Heating Provided By 3 Geothermal Wells.
