FORMA Architects and a Sustainable Retreat in the Hudson Valley
Innovative Design in the Heart of Nature
In the Hudson Valley hills of New York, a cube-shaped house clad in cedar wood emerges from the heart of the forest, symbolizing contemporary architecture seamlessly integrated with nature. This project, known as the House on a Hill, is the result of the vision of FORMA Architects, led by Miroslava Brooks and Daniel Markiewicz, who combined personal creativity with professional expertise in this unique work.
From Dream to Architectural Project
The project began as an idea to escape the city noise over weekends but evolved into a five-year design journey. The founders faced the challenge of transforming a simple desire for a quiet retreat into a fully realized architectural project.
Site Selection and the Importance of Nature
Brooks and Markiewicz purchased a nine-acre plot in Hillsdale to serve as a remote sanctuary just two hours north of Manhattan. The cube-shaped house is positioned at the center of a vast natural clearing, enhancing the sense of seclusion and direct connection to the surrounding environment, while allowing residents to enjoy the rich and diverse views of the surrounding forest.
Design Challenges and Rethinking
The path to completing this project was far from smooth, as the architects faced significant challenges from the very beginning. Initially, they planned for larger structures, but reality intervened due to rising construction costs and labor shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, they did not abandon their vision; instead, they embraced the challenge, spending two years completely redesigning the house’s plans before arriving at the final version.
Integrating Creativity with Practicality
The final design reflects FORMA Architects’ distinctive approach, balancing architectural exploration with creative imagination. The total area of the house is only 700 square feet, yet the smart vertical arrangement of the rooms allows every square foot to be utilized efficiently. This approach not only preserves the home’s aesthetic appeal but also reduces foundation costs and ensures comfortable, practical living.
Design Integration with Nature
The exterior of the house features a perfect cube clad in cedar wood, which naturally weathers to harmonize with the surrounding forest colors. Carefully positioned openings create a dynamic visual interaction between vertical and slanted lines, establishing an architectural dialogue between humans and their natural environment. These openings frame views of the surrounding forest while allowing natural light to flood the interior spaces, enhancing the living experience and creating a sense of openness and connection with nature.
A Model for Sustainable Living
The house goes beyond serving as a weekend retreat, becoming a model for sustainable living and environmental connection. The project stemmed from the architects’ desire to find solutions to the economic challenges associated with home ownership while maintaining a rich residential experience with a direct connection to nature. The project demonstrates how thoughtful design can create a significant impact with a minimal environmental footprint, emphasizing the importance of architectural thinking that blends beauty, efficiency, and sustainability.
Enhancing the Indoor-Outdoor Connection
The house’s vertical design maximizes the relationship between interior and exterior spaces, with each level offering a unique perspective on the surrounding landscape. This smart arrangement allows for efficient use of space while reducing construction costs and ongoing environmental impact, proving that architectural ambition can be achieved without the need for expansive square footage.
A Blend of Rationality and Magic
Completed in 2025, the House on a Hill stands as a living example of architecture’s ability to combine creative vision with practical solutions. The project showcases FORMA Architects’ capability to craft spaces that are simultaneously rational and enchanting, striking a balance between functional reality and visual delight, and demonstrating how contemporary architecture can inspire wonder and attention without excessive use of space or resources.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
Although the House on a Hill stands out as a symbol of architectural innovation and integration with nature, reflecting a clear vision in vertical design and efficient space utilization, certain aspects raise questions about its long-term practicality. The house, with its limited area, may not accommodate the needs of some families or broader uses, while maintaining the cedar cladding and unique design requires ongoing attention to prevent potential environmental or structural impacts. Nevertheless, the project remains an important architectural experiment, demonstrating how beauty, sustainability, and thoughtful design can be harmoniously combined, even within certain practical limitations.
Prepared by the ArchUp Editorial Team
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