This upstate New York series of barns was a cover feature of the New Yorker magazine over 25 years ago and the Owner wanted to preserve the original scale and character from the road view while refocusing living areas to take advantage of the expanded views to the south and west. With a their main home on Manhattans’ west side the renovations were intended to offer all of the amenities one might want in a week end/holiday house but with a guiding principal to create a home that was comfortable and not in any way pretentious. You wont find designer appliances –“high quality, fully functional, but not tied to the 'wow' aesthetic”. Natural materials abound and all were chosen as a background for living and not as a focus of design. The flow of spaces revolved around their connection to nature and the 20 acre pond to the south west. The design of the building carefully considered solar gain and natural ventilation to prevent over heating with passive systems. Active mechanicals are also present for the few days when absolutely required and were integrated into the structure to be unobtrusive.
