Old Stone House: A Modern Revival of Heritage in the Hudson Valley

Category: Residential
Type: Renovation & Expansion
Location: Hudson Valley, New York, USA
Architect: Tatatina LLC
Area: 1,000 sq ft (after renovation)
Year: 2017
Photography: Mikiko Kikuyama

Manufacturers: Marvin Windows and Doors, Daltile, Modern Fan, Sherwood Metals, Plyboo

Design Team:

Principal Architect: Takeo Kawabata
Architect of Record: Peter Wiederspan
Structural Engineer: John Senneff
Lighting Designer: Kano

Introduction:
The “Old Stone House” project, designed by architecture firm Tatatina LLC, transforms an old stone house on a scenic mountaintop into a modern, light-filled retreat for a young couple. The project presents an impressive model for renovating heritage homes, skillfully blending historical authenticity with contemporary design.

Design Concept:
As part of a larger master plan for a 6.6-acre site, the first phase focused on rehabilitating the original 2,000 sq ft structure. The architectural team reduced the building to a single story of 1,000 sq ft, preserving three original stone walls and their foundations, before adding a new 300 sq ft extension and a basement. At the clients’ request, who appreciated traditional construction, the regional rough stone was integrated into a completely new concept.

Architecture and Facade:
The building is wrapped in a new envelope of durable metal and treated cedar siding, forming a modern barn-like volume. This design features an intentional contrast between the roughness of the old stone and the smoothness of contemporary materials. Tall windows and doors are framed in sleek black aluminum, highlighting the dialogue between old and new and creating natural frames for the surrounding views.

Interior Design:
The interior design is centered around an open-plan, loft-like living space under a 16-foot-high cathedral ceiling. The area is flooded with light from a long northern skylight (16′ x 5″) and large south-facing sliding doors that open onto a full-length teak deck with panoramic mountain views. The decor combines raw industrial finishes (like old iron stanchions supporting the dining table) with warm modern touches (dark oak floors, a charcoal-gray Shaker-style kitchen), creating a “modern rustic hybrid” atmosphere.

Private Quarters:
The new eastern wing contains bedrooms and bathrooms with a serene, minimalist character. The ceiling structures were left exposed and painted white, while carefully placed windows bring in soft morning light. The bathroom features white marble tiles laid in a herringbone pattern, a custom oak vanity, and a handcrafted pendant light, enhancing a sense of calm and simplicity.

Conclusion:
The “Old Stone House” represents a successful example of how to respect the past while building the future. It not only preserves the building’s history but also reinvents it to suit a contemporary lifestyle, focusing on light, nature, and functional efficiency, making it an ideal weekend retreat.

✦ Editorial Insight from ArchUp

The “Old Stone House” project presents an inspiring vision for renovating heritage homes, preserving the original stone walls while clothing them in a contemporary shell to create a “modern rustic hybrid.” The fusion of old and new is strikingly successful, particularly in the use of black aluminum to frame openings and the bold contrast of materials. However, one might wonder about the structural and engineering challenges faced in reducing the building from two-and-a-half stories to one, a point that could have been explored in greater depth. Overall, the project stands out as a lesson in design humility; the architects allow the original story of the place to be told while weaving a new layer of function and contemporary beauty, resulting in a light-filled sanctuary that respects its history without being enslaved by it.