Jay Bargmann of Rafael Viñoly Architects has created a residence for his household in the Catskill Mountains, featuring glass walls that reflect the scenic landscape (+ slideshow).
Named the Shokan House, the dwelling stands at the edge of a reservoir, just below the summit of a mountain in the Catskill region, positioned about one hundred miles (160 kilometres) north-west of New York City. The home delivers expansive views of the lake and the hilly landscape.
A variety of trees encircle the dwelling, which includes oak, fir, spruce and the occasional birch. It really is not unusual to see hawks, turkeys, fox, deer and bears on the home, said Bargmann, who serves as vice president at Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly’s New York studio.
The rectilinear house is nestled into a gently sloping internet site. Very reflective glass walls are framed with black steel and rise from an exposed concrete foundation.
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A gravel street leads to the lengthy western elevation of the property and then extends in an arc all around the southern elevation. The ground degree functions an entry vestibule, garage and living space.
“From the concrete-walled vestibule with its fireplace, one particular turns and enters the steel-framed living area with views across treetops to the reservoir, the distant mountains and the surrounding forest,” said Bargmann.
Stairs lead to a dining room and kitchen on the second degree, which offers far more elevated views of the landscape. The 2nd storey also is made up of two bedrooms and a library.
“The residence terminates in a boulder-faced cliff, a stone terrace and herb garden on the west and a single bench to the east that sits in the tree-filtered morning light,” stated the architect.
Steel, glass, concrete, ceramic and wood are left exposed and unadorned all through the building.
“Every single piece records the development of the house and is vital to the notion,” stated the architect. “The property is lucid and laconic.”
Glass enclosures are built of T sections, which had been bolted to the concrete foundation and help open net joists.
“The T sections also serve as the frame for the glass wall, integrating construction and enclosure,” stated Bargmann. “Companies are run beneath the ceramic tile entry floor and can be readily accessed, reconfigured or extended.”
The interior room features walnut cabinetry and stainless steel perform surfaces.
“The horizontal stainless steel planes mimic the surface tones of the reservoir and subtly reflect the atmospheric situations,” said Bargmann.
The task is one of a lot of contemporary properties dotting New York’s Catskill Mountains and Hudson River Valley. Other people consist of a weekend retreat by Gluck+, with a living area volume that hovers high above the ground, and a wood-clad house by Foz Layout that attributes an infinity pool.
Photography is by Brad Feinknopf.
Area prepare – click for larger image 
Web site plan – click for more substantial picture 
Exploded axonometric diagram – click for greater image 
Ground floor plan – click for bigger image 
First floor prepare – click for larger picture 
Area one particular – click for larger picture 
Area two – click for bigger picture 
Segment 3 – click for larger picture 
Part 4 – click for greater picture 
