Hudson Valley Retreat by Lake Flato Architects
In the Hudson River Valley of upstate New York, the Hudson Valley Retreat is a house designed in 2023 by Lake Flato Architects. Perched on the edge of a restored native meadow and an Oak-Hickory forest, this tranquil weekend house fosters a strong connection with nature, forming a backdrop for resplendent views of the foreground and Catskills mountains, encouraging visitors to unwind and immerse themselves in the surrounding landscape.
Serene Weekend Retreat
In the Hudson River Valley of upstate New York, this tranquil weekend house sits on the edge between an Oak-Hickory forest and a restored native meadow. Conceived as a retreat from the city, the house and the landscape serve as a place to unwind and live by the rhythms of nature.
Simple House Layout
Perched on the high side of the meadow looking northwest, the house enjoys everchanging vistas to the Catskills and quiet vignettes towards the forest. The layout of the house is simple – a long, low bedroom bar is intersected by a tall gable space for gathering. The living room resides on the meadow-side of the gable and enjoys dynamic vistas.
Careful Transition of Color
The property’s meadow foreground carefully transitions from non-native, European cool-season grasses, to native warm-season grasses. The native meadow offers a variety of colors through the seasons and critical habitats for birds, reptiles, and mammals indigenous to the area.
Privacy Yet Togetherness
The bedroom bar has two wings with guest rooms on one side of the main living area and primary and children’s bedrooms on the other, providing a sense of privacy without feeling far from each other. The bedrooms are all the same size with large windows to the northwest overlooking the meadow and double doors that open to the hallway with large windows to the forest.
Writer’s Retreat, Trampoline and Pool
A short walk through the meadow from the main house leads to a pool of dark turquoise water. Beyond the covered patio, the pool house contains a private writer’s suite for quiet reflection. Just down the hill, an in-grade trampoline dares you to not smile while bouncing in and out of the meadow grasses.
Heavy Timber Trusses
Douglas Fir heavy timber provides the trusses in the main living spaces – featuring time-tested wood joinery methods without the use of steel.
Ticonderoga Granite and Ash Cladding
Regional Ticonderoga granite was used for both the fireplace and stone floor in the entry as well as the boulder steps in the landscape. Thermally modified ash clads the exterior walls and wraps the inside of the hallway and breezeway.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Geothermal wells provide heating and cooling as part of a highly efficient radiant system.
Photography courtesy of Lake Flato Architects
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