Cold Spring Residence

Cold Spring, NY

This home was designed for a retiring couple returning to the United States after working and living in Asia for over thirty years. Our main goals were to enable our Clients to enjoy the outdoors, to cook and host large gatherings, and to accommodate their extended family of three generations while providing maximum privacy between the sleeping quarters.

The residence is located on a steep, wooded site in Cold Spring, New York. It is perched on a ledge created by a former carriage road.

Considering that there are no historic buildings nearby and the site is removed from the densely built areas of the village, we proposed a contemporary design that is rooted in the historic heritage of Cold Spring.

The main design inspirations came from strong topography of the site and the existing stone walls. The deteriorated southern stone wall that faced the street was rebuilt and incorporated into the house. Other inspirations included simple lines of historic foundry workers’ housing and asymmetrical gable roof lines seen throughout the Village.

The village’s Historic District Review Board unanimously approved the project, citing the grounding of the design in context while being of today.

This home was designed with Passive House principles, producing a highly efficient envelope.

Photos by Nicholas Doyle and River Architects