2023 | SHELBURNE FALLS, MA | 4,600 SF | NEW SINGLE-FAMILY

Perched on several hundred acres of woods and meadows near the Catamount Forest, the Berkshire Residence 'looks south' to the Deerfield River Valley below.  To best-capture the numerous long-range views, the house is positioned on a sloped and rocky portion of the property where a previous house had once stood.  

The house is designed to 'expand' with steadily-increasing ceiling heights within, as one is drawn towards the southerly views, ending in a 2-story vaulted living room with a grand stone fireplace and gable end made entirely of glass.  The vaulted ceiling of the living room continues outside to provide cover over the exterior living and dining terrace, just kissing the top of the glassy gable end.  A 25 ft. wide, 4-panel sliding door separates the living room from terrace, yet is designed to push inside a hidden pocket to disappear from sight and unite both spaces seamlessly.  Concealed and automated roll-down insect screens wrap the 3-sides of the porch and encourage a true indoor/outdoor lifestyle for the owners. 

The architectural aesthetic begins with vernacular forms and is executed with minimalistic detailing.  Modern 'narrow sight line' windows utilizing thin frames aide in maximizing views outward from every room.  A one-story extruded flat-roof entry sequence guides visitors from the auto court to the front entry, while gesturing towards the south view; a hint of what is to come inside.  The material palette is rich and natural; warm cedar and oak woods, dark metals, and Adirondack stone.