Berkshire Mountain House
BERKSHIRE MOUNTAIN HOUSE
Tsao & McKown Architects
ARCHITECTS
Tsao & McKown Architects
AREA
7000.0 ft²
PHOTOGRAPHS
Eric Laignel
CONTRACTOR
Peter Whitehead
LEAD SUPPLIER
Mayco Industries LLC
LOCATION
Alford, United States
SURVEYOR
Kelly, Granger, Parsons & Associates, Inc.
MANUFACTURERS
Binderholz, Caparol, Domoferm, Döpfner, Prefa
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Arnold Associates Landscape Architecture and Urban Design
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Robert Silman Associates, P.C.
PROJECT TEAM
Calvin Tsao, FAIA; Zack McKown, FAIA; Richard Rhodes, Drew Stuart, Mark Anderson, Randi Mageli
FIREPLACE CONSULTANT
Halsted Welles Associates
LEAD DETAILER
2 Priorsdean Close
METAL WORK
J.F. Graney Metal Design
MEP CONSULTANT & FABRICATOR
Moran Heating and Cooling
CONSULTING ENGINEER MEP
Cameron Engineering & Associates, LLP
LIGHTING CONSULTANT
Wald Studio LLC
YEAR
2016
ACOUSTICIANS
Shen, Milsom & Wilke
Text description provided by architect.
Nestled into the tree line at the top of a gentle rise, the house folds and unfolds to take advantage of sweeping panoramic views, and wraps upon itself to form an intimate courtyard against the forest’s edge.
The building is conceived as movement through a Fibonacci spiral.
The resulting plan allows a graceful progression through the rooms, spiraling up to the highest point, a cozy aerie.
The architecture considers the qualities of the light and views throughout the day and seasons, and offers optimal arrangements for different experiences, from breakfast, to midday recreation, to star-gazing from bed
The architectural vocabulary and the materials, such as granite from a nearby quarry, were inspired by traditional farm houses and utilitarian buildings of western Massachusetts.
Selected in a complementary palette, the varied materials play with textures and hues, and will take on greater character as they age in an evolving dialogue with the natural landscape.
