Cat Hill House

Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf

Cat Hill House

Studio MM Architect

AREA
2450 Ft²

YEAR
2019

PHOTOGRAPHS
Brad Feinknopf

MANUFACTURERS
Autodesk, Gaggenau, Marvin, Morso, Signature Hardware, Davide Groppe, J Geiger, Juniper Design, Montana Timber Products, Nud Lighting, Trimble Navigation

DESIGN TEAM
Studio Mm Architect

STRUCTRAL DESIGN CONSULTANTS
Silman Structural Engineers

CATEGORY
Houses

MILLWORK CONSULTANT
Cabinet Designers

WINDOW CONSULTANT
Harbrook Windows And Doors

LOCATION
Kerhonkson, United States

Text description provided by architect.

In Kerhonkson, New York, a floating fitness studio soars above a natural ridge, anchoring a curated private sanctuary in the woods.

Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf
Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf

At the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in New York’s Hudson Valley, a densely wooded site with dramatic changes in elevation presented a unique opportunity to create moments of shifting perspective.

Relating to nature in different ways from different vantage points, the built environment becomes an interactive vessel for experiencing a dynamic sense of place. High on a ridge, a protruding knoll extends into the distance before a drop off, the elevated site overlooking the Catskill Mountains and a running creek below.

Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf
Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf

Directly responding to the topography, the main volume of the home parallels the ridge, while a gallery and studio space extend horizontally along the knoll.

The client – a marathon runner, businesswoman, traveler, musician, and art collector – wanted not only a comfortable and thoughtfully-designed home, but also an inspiring place to pursue creative and athletic passions.

Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf
Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf

At the heart of the design is a glass-enclosed fitness studio that extends over the ridge. Surrounded by trees, the studio appears to float above the landscape as the topography falls steeply away.

The studio volume is deliberately pulled apart from the rest of the home, accessed via an enclosed gallery.

Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf
Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf
Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf

Following the ridgeline, the gallery emphasizes the journey to the studio, while displaying deeply personal mementos and works of art – visual reminders of formative accomplishments and memorable life experiences.

The studio, enclosed by glass on three sides, is a dedicated space for the pursuit of personal passions – for this client, it is running.A treadmill and an indoor cycling bike enable focused physical training while maintaining an inspiring visual connection with the wooded landscape.

Elsewhere in the home, shifting views of the site evoke different feelings and new experiential interactions with the environment.

From the home’s open living room and patio, large expanses of glass put forest views front and center. T

Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf
Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf

he gently sloping topography outside the main living space presents a different vantage point than the studio, eliciting the feeling of being among the trees rather than above them. The main suite includes a spacious freestanding tub – a place to both relax and heal after running.

The soaking tub sits prominently next to a corner window, the slightly southern vantage point offering seasonal mountain views – a distinct perspective shift from looking down the ridge. The home’s interiors are thoughtfully curated, intimately tied to both the client and the place.

Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf

Original artwork is featured cohesively throughout the residence, each piece personally meaningful to the client. In the dining room, a custom table was designed by Studio MM and fabricated by local furniture maker Braxton Alexander.

The collaborative piece features a live edge maple slab top, connected by charred white oak butterfly joints. With personal or local connections proudly shining through, every piece has meaning.

Cat Hill House
© Brad Feinknopf

Bringing the client’s personal journey to the forefront, Cat Hill is a celebration of past accomplishments and meaningful life experiences – while leaving room to build new memories.


Cat Hill House
Cat Hill House
Cat Hill House
Cat Hill House

Cat Hill House