House on the Pond

Cold Spring, NY

Our Clients needed to modify an existing log cabin to accommodate a larger entry vestibule, new kitchen, primary suite, and a finished basement. To achieve a deep-energy-retrofit for the entire house, we designed the dwelling’s new wing to meet Passive House Standards.

In order to meet the Clients’ program, the existing single-story southern wing was removed and replaced with a 2-story addition. A rectangular box with an angled roof orients the view toward the pond. The second-floor addition is expressed as if a light box was inserted in a dark box.

The new design provides ample room at the entry vestibule, where the family can unload winter gear and hide it away in a large, walk-in-closet immediately adjacent to the vestibule. The new, enlarged kitchen replaced the existing kitchen in the same location, improved with a new orientation toward the living room and the back patio, where outdoor cooking and casual gatherings take place.

The pantry and a laundry room with a discreet door to the bathroom were located immediately west of the kitchen. A home office is situated above the vestibule. 

We arranged the second-floor addition to include an outdoor deck, accessed from the primary suite and the home office. This “extended living area” became the perfect place for morning yoga, WFH coffee breaks, and quiet breakfasts on weekends.

The clients’ request to maximize the opening between the kitchen and the living room resulted in a dramatic gable-shaped steel beam that frames the internal views from those rooms.

Domicilist Interiors selected the fixtures and finishes, reflecting the warm combination of black, gold, and off-whites.

Photos by Brad Dickson 
Interior Design by DOMICILIST