Own the Acme of A-Frames for $835K
In 1947, architect Thomas Babbitt built the first section of what became his family’s home in rural Litchfield, Connecticut. Decades later, in 1970, Babbitt capped off his masterpiece, a 4,200-square-foot A-frame structure complete with six interconnected gables.
Located about 45 minutes from Hartford, Connecticut, and two hours north of New York City, the property's rural location offers ample privacy and solitude.
Cathedral ceilings with redwood ribs soar above the open living spaces on the ground floor; multiple lofts create discrete, upper-level areas. Each of the 24-foot-high gables are capped by walls of windows looking out onto the lush surroundings. The home’s many original features include three stone fireplaces, numerous built-ins, slate flooring, and an Isamu Noguchi chandelier in one of the upstairs bedrooms.
The home’s main living area features cathedral ceilings and a large loft overhead. The space is divided by a stone fireplace and built-ins that lead to the kitchen.
Babbitt, who died in 2011 at the age of 84, was a well-known architect in the Litchfield area, often considering his work an opportunity to give back to the community. A 1979 profile in the local newspaper quoted his reverence for the practice and the involvement of other craftsmen in the process: "Architecture is an art, but it's never an art you do yourself," he believed.
Another view of the living space. A large sliding door spans the entire width of the room, while windows extend to fill the rest of the gable end.
The home itself appeared in numerous architectural tours and festivals over the years, as well as in articles about local architecture. The 15-acre property backs a protected land trust and also comes with river frontage, as well as a detached garage (an A-frame, of course). Keep scrolling to see more of this residence, currently listed for $835,000.
A small sitting area leads to the kitchen and the dining room straight ahead. A spiral staircase leads up to one of the lofts.
The large kitchen is presented in its original condition, offering slate floors, custom wood cabinetry, and numerous feet of prep space.
A smaller family room is found opposite the kitchen. The cozy space is bordered by another one of the stone fireplaces, a wall of windows, and a built-in bookcase.
The view from a loft above the dining room, which provides a different perspective of the interlocking gable design. Bands of geometric forms are created by a series of frames dividing the glasswork, as well as strips of redwood lining the ceilings.
A look at the lower-level master bedroom. The charming space features one of the home's three stone fireplaces, along with ceilings that soar upward to fill an entire gabled wing.
A look at one of the upstairs bathrooms, which sits at the end of another gable. Featuring original cabinetry and finishes, the space feels bright and airy thanks to the soaring ceilings and expansive glasswork.
Here is one of the home's three secondary bedrooms, which has direct access to the outdoors.
Another bathroom offers a skylight above the sink and brightly colored mosaic tile.
A large deck extends off of the dining and living rooms. The two larger gables increase the indoor/outdoor connection with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the backyard.
An aerial view of the compound, which is nestled between dozens of mature trees on the property. The 15-acre lot includes frontage along the Bantam River and abuts the Litchfield Land Trust acreage.
112 Norfolk Road is currently listed for $835,000 by Susan Pollock of William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty.
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