ALFORD HOUSE, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA

Set in a clearing surrounded by a mature Hemlock Forest, this new construction, minimalist home needed to become a part of its surrounding environment. It also needed to be the bridge between the forest, the meadow, and the mountain view in the distance. The client asked for an all-native design with year-round interest and wanted to repurpose materials found on-site. The concept I created utilizes the house as an object holding back the meadow from the forest. It also includes brining younger Hemlock trees into the clearing to soften the changes in vegetation. I added Florida Dogwood trees to the entrance with a shade garden to mirror the moss and ferns growing in the forest. River Birch, placed as a veil, inviting us to imagine what might lie on the other side of the house. Wildflowers, Tall Fescue and Northeastern native grasses instead of manicured lawn. Stone pavers made from on-site boulders removed during construction.