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Project posted by Bryce de Reynier

Cranberry Pond

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Location
Parksville, New York
Year
2019
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Modern
The Living Area looking is designed with dark cool tones, to contrast with the views to the bright exterior. The palette was built around the peacock blue couch, an impulse purchase that begat the rug selection and ultimately the entire palette.
The Living Area looking is designed with dark cool tones, to contrast with the views to the bright exterior. The palette was built around the peacock blue couch, an impulse purchase that begat the rug selection and ultimately the entire palette.
The kitchen is simple and efficient: appliance costs were kept low, and the dishwasher eliminated by building in a cupboard that doubles as a dish rack. The corridor leading back to the bedrooms follows the roof line to dramatic effect. The vibrant colors provide joy and contrast to the bright daylight.
The kitchen is simple and efficient: appliance costs were kept low, and the dishwasher eliminated by building in a cupboard that doubles as a dish rack. The corridor leading back to the bedrooms follows the roof line to dramatic effect. The vibrant colors provide joy and contrast to the bright daylight.
The north elevation is more enclosed, providing enclosure and refuge to the rear of the house. Native plants have sprung back to life and help control storm water flowing down the mountain from above, as it courses through the site.
The north elevation is more enclosed, providing enclosure and refuge to the rear of the house. Native plants have sprung back to life and help control storm water flowing down the mountain from above, as it courses through the site.
Because of the shallow depth of the house, the dynamic presence of the natural world is a constant, visceral companion throughout the space.
Because of the shallow depth of the house, the dynamic presence of the natural world is a constant, visceral companion throughout the space.

Details

Square Feet
1150
Lot Size
5 acres
Bedrooms
3
Full Baths
1
Partial Baths
1

Credits

Posted by
Architect
Builder
Catskills Escapes Design/Build

From Bryce de Reynier

The Cranberry Pond House is located on a parcel of an old farm in Sullivan County NY that is overlooking a spring-fed pond. The house is a sculptural form that rises above the landscape, allowing the site's ecology and hydrology to flow under the house unimpeded.

This three bedroom, 1150 sf home is designed following the principles of Biophilia - the study of human evolutionary psychology that helps us understand how to design spaces that are restorative, calming, energizing, and beautiful to inhabit. Humans have an a priori desire to seek a connection to the natural world that is built into our DNA from our collective evolution as species on the Savannahs of Africa, and this house delivers.

The house feels bigger than it is because of it's connection to the landscape and the efficiency of the layout, which maximizes cross ventilation, and the views to the pond from the living spaces. The living area is expansive and exciting, while the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms are hyper-efficient. The linear form provides privacy between spaces, and allows the parents' bedroom to feel like it's own little cabin at the end of the house.

The south-easterly orientation of the glass wall allows for passive solar heating in the winter that is supplemented by a single wood-burning stove and concealed distribution/circulation fans. The house and windows are highly insulated to surpass energy code requirements, and natural ventilation provides all the cooling needed in summer.

The house's form is defined by the scale and use of spaces within the house: living areas have dramatically tall ceilings, while bedrooms are more subdued in height. Great care was taken to make the house straight-forward to build with economical lumber sizes and a minimal amount of concrete, but with long-wearing materials on the exterior.

Living in this house feels like living in the landscape, and it is a profoundly calming and restorative experience. Sun rises, storms, moon rises and rainbows are on continuous display. Birdsong and woodland scents blow in through the windows and rain patters on the metal roof.