Forest Frame
In the serene landscape of southern Connecticut, Forest Frame House is a new modern home that honors local history and the natural beauty of a sloping, lakeside property. Echoing New Canaan’s legacy as an artist haven in the 1940s, our design harmonizes with the area's rich mid-century architectural narrative which includes iconic buildings like Philip Johnson's Glass House and Sanaa's Grace Farms.
The property is a slender site that slopes down toward a tranquil lake and features nature's treasures like large scattered rock formations and dense mature trees. Our design embraces the existing landscape, crafting a home that coexists seamlessly with its surroundings.
Distinctly designed for minimal environmental impact, the choice of modular building practices allows it to be constructed with minimal impact to the site’s natural landscape. Maintaining the site's natural allure is paramount; dense trees and rock formations are preserved, allowing the property to evolve organically. The project’s sustainability practices extend to the roof, where solar panels share space with a living green roof, fusing modern innovation with environmental stewardship.
The home's orientation ensures a panoramic lake view from nearly every room, with private spaces elevated on the second floor and communal areas, home offices, and fitness rooms on the first, all seamlessly connected to nature. Additionally, a small rear patio and lap pool capture breathtaking lake vistas, providing a tranquil space for gathering. This project exemplifies our dedication to crafting homes that not only reflect modern aesthetics but also resonate harmoniously with their natural surroundings.
Visitors approach from a parking court atop the hill and are greeted with what appears to be a single-story geometric volume, offering a sneak peek of the serene lake below. A path of natural stone pavers feels like a walk through the forest as it leads guests to the home which is adorned with a living green roof. In reality, the home is a two-story volume that is artfully carved into the terrain and opens up to a window-wall of double-height glass upon entry.
Perched on a slender incline toward the tranquil lake, the property boasts nature's gems of scattered rock formations and dense trees. This inspired our design decision to carve out only a small footprint into the hill and create minimal impact to the site’s wild landscape.
