Elizabeth Roberts combines two buildings into one for a Catskills ski house

Jul 20, 2023

Brooklyn studio Elizabeth Roberts Architects has completed a cedar alpine house in the Catskills Mountains that connects two gabled forms underground.

Located on a mountainside in Windham, New York, the 3,500-square-foot (325-square-metre) house sits on a 1.4 acre site with a steep drop-off.

Completed in 2022, Elizabeth Roberts Architects used the grade to embed part of the plan and maximize views of the mountains.

"The rooms connecting the two gable volumes are tucked below a walkway at the entry level," the studio said. "This inconspicuous space creates the effect of two separate buildings from the approach."

From the exterior, the house appears to be two simple gabled buildings wrapped in vertical western red cedar, connected by a slate-coloured walkway.

The limited material palette references local agrarian buildings with small punched openings set in minimal black frames.

Stepping into the modest form from the uphill side of the site – through a wood-wrapped ski room with storage and cubbies – the warm interiors open to a panoramic view through the entirely glazed gable end.

The black storefront serves as a slim geometric frame for the floor-to-ceiling windows that bring light into the living room and kitchen.

Stark white walls are softened by white oak floors and millwork, while pops of black – like a waterfall island and blocky twin fireplaces that are connected by a tiled hearth and a bench.

Prefabricated wood trusses extend the vaulted ceiling into a loft space that overlooks the family areas.

A white oak staircase descends into the lower level where a lounge, four bedrooms and four bathrooms are set within the concrete base, which is tied into the rock ledge.

The partially submerged lower level creates a cosy, intimate sleeping environment.

A tile wet bar, located underneath the exterior walkway, connects the main house to the secondary form that contains the primary suite.

Sliding glass doors across the back of the house direct views out to the landscape, as does the simple deck that wraps the corner of the house.

The studio used robust wall assemblies and high-performance building systems to create the efficient, durable home the environment warranted.

"Our clients asked for a modest house, a house that was decidedly not 'ski-lodge-like'," the team said.

The house is reminiscent of other wood-clad, gabled designs in the Catskills – like Feuerstein Quagliara's house that set deep porches within the form's profile and River Architects' barn-style cidery with reclaimed wood screens.

The photography is by Chris Mottalini.

Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.

Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

Weekly updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates.

We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected].

For more details, please see our privacy notice.

You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.

Coil + Drift opens lighting studio and showroom in the Catskills

Dezeen Debate newsletter features "modernised catacombs" in ...

Black-clad volumes set into a hillside form Ghent House by ...

Garrison Architects completes modernist Catskills retreat ...

River Architects builds barn-style Seminary Hill Cidery in ...

DAAM revamps kitchen of dome-shaped Shell House in New ...

Camp O is an architect's retreat in Upstate New York

Hass House by Feuerstein Quagliara is designed to embrace ...

Visit our comments page | Read ourcomments policy