FORMA’s “House on a Hill” Architecture – Design & Features
- This text details FORMA's "House on a Hill" in upstate New York, highlighting its design ideology and integration with the surrounding habitat.
- * Initial Vision: The project began as a concept for a larger,two-story house.
- * Balance of Efficiency & Openness: The design successfully balances a small footprint with a feeling of spaciousness.
FORMAS House on a Hill: A Study in Scale, Structure, and Landscape
This text details FORMA’s “House on a Hill” in upstate New York, highlighting its design ideology and integration with the surrounding habitat. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways:
Core Concept & Evolution:
* Initial Vision: The project began as a concept for a larger,two-story house.
* Adaptation & Efficiency: Budget constraints led to a refined design – a compact, three-bedroom, three-bath home with a 700-square-foot footprint.
* Vertical Association: The house is organized vertically, with a double-height living/dining space on the upper floor, elevated above a more grounded base. This maximizes views of the Catskills and berkshires.
Design Principles:
* Balance of Efficiency & Openness: The design successfully balances a small footprint with a feeling of spaciousness.
* Distinct Yet Continuous levels: The lower and upper levels feel separate but are connected through carefully considered shifts in volume and outlook.
* Dialog with the Landscape: The house is designed to interact with its surroundings, not dominate them.
* Shifting Perceptions: The house’s form and posture change depending on the viewer’s position, creating a dynamic experience.
Architectural Features:
* Materials: Dark cedar siding is used, emphasizing the house’s form.
* Orientation: The west side emphasizes gravity and enclosure,while the east side lifts on angled supports,opening towards a pond.
* Integration with Clearing: The house is positioned to take advantage of a natural clearing, creating a purposeful approach and outlook.
Overall Impression:
The House on a hill is presented as a thoughtful and deliberate design that prioritizes efficiency, connection to the landscape, and a dynamic architectural experience. It’s a project that demonstrates how constraints can lead to innovative and beautiful solutions.