The Ledge House clients asked us to design a new home that would resonate with the history of the Connecticut Valley, include a material palette that is environmentally friendly, and work with the challenging site on a large rock ledge.
We removed an existing cabin that had been expanded in unsuccessful ways over time by a previous owner; we were able to reuse the cabin’s foundation (which saved money and reduced construction waste) & add to it to simplify the footprint of the building while amplifying the program. The new footprint moved the house closer to an existing boulder- a prehistoric “glacial erratic” that was deposited along the ledge hundreds of thousands of years ago when the glaciers formed the Appalachian Mountains. The boulder is a rugged companion to the house and acts as a muse for the uphill forest views.
The form of the house was inspired by indigenous barns of the area as well as the nearby, historic West Cornwall Covered Bridge. The roof diaphragm framing is dependent on wider framing elements, full blocking of all plywood panel joints and a high-performance nailing specification to ensure that high in-plane shears are safely transferred, eliminating the need for exposed cross bracing. The interior vaulted ceilings are open volumes of space accentuated by clean planar surfaces.
The living room, dining room and kitchen form the nucleus of a large breezeway through the house; the breezeway was strategically positioned to take advantage of the views to the valley, the uphill cross-ventilating breezes, and an existing boulder that becomes a rugged companion to the house and the views of the landscape. The exterior of the house is clad in Shou Sugi Ban siding which offers a rot-resistant and bug-resistant finish that also articulates the iconic form of the building. The interior finishes are light and airy. A master bedroom suite is located on one end of the house; 2 guest bedrooms are on the other end. The nucleus living area between them allows the owners and their guests to merge & socialize together in a lofted, open area that connects across the ledge to a forest terrace and a valley terrace: indoor and outdoor living flow seamlessly through.
Material Used :
1. Pac Clad - Roofing
2. Delta Millworks - Exterior wood siding: Shou sugi ban, half gator, Finish: Exterior Grade Wood Sealer "Delta Black"
3. Arcadia - Exterior windows & doors: 5500 Series
4. Velux - Skylight
5. Kebony - Decking: Kebony Clear
6. Madera Trade - Wood Flooring: Dimma, Stockholm Collection
7. Ortal - Clear 170 Tunnel Fireplace
8. Get Real Surfaces - Custom Concrete fireplace surround/ custom color
9. Bulthaup - Kitchen Island: B1/ White
10. CEA Design - Kitchen Faucet: INV83, satin stainless steel
11. Home Frefinements - Kitchen Sink: Urban Edge
12. Gaggenau - Cooktop: Vario 400 series
13. Gaggenau - Visor Hood: Vario 200 series
14. Liebherr - Refrigerator
15. Akari Light Sculptures by Isamu Noguchi - Akari 120A
16. Flos - Lighting Track: Tracking Magnet
17. Michael Anastassiades - Mobile Chandelier No.2/ Black patinated brass, mouth blown opaline spheres.
18. Michael Anastassiades - Brass Architectural Collection, 80/ Polished brass & Mouth blown opaline glass
19. Kallista - Shower head w/ arm: One Collection/ P24482-MA00-AG/ Brushed Nickel
20. Kallista - Hand-held shower wand: One Collection/ P24843-00-AG/ Brushed Nickel
21. Kallista - Shower volume control/diverter/pressure balance valve: One Collection/ P24423-LV-AG/ P24483-LV-AG/ P24415-LV-AG/ Brushed Nickel
22. Cohen - Tile-in Linear Drain
23. Zen Bathworks - Ofuro-Hinoki Wood Soaking Tub
24. Kallista - Tub Controls & Spout: One Collection/ P24425-LV-AG/ Brushed Nickel
25. Peter Brooks Stone Works - Custom integrated sink
26. Kallista - Wall mounted faucet: One Collection/ P24410-LV-AG / Brushed Nickel
27. Duravit - Darling Toilet
28. The Builder Depot: Carrera Marble - 1" Penny Round Carrera Marble Tile
