The 'L' House in Hudson: Where Architecture Becomes a Frame for Design Masterpieces

In the heart of Hudson, New York, where history intertwines with the scenic beauty of the Catskill Mountains, a residential project embodies the philosophy of design in its purest form. This house, with its simple ‘L’ shape, is not just a shelter but a contemporary statement telling a story of a continuous dialogue between architecture, furniture, and nature. Designed to be the personal kingdom for two giants in the world of furniture design, it serves as a living gallery and a sanctuary that combines work and life.

A Simple Shape… A Profound Impact

The design concept of the house is based on a clear geometric idea: an ‘L’ shape made from custom corrugated aluminum. This simple configuration is not arbitrary; it achieves several goals at once. It creates a south-facing green courtyard to capture sunlight, while simultaneously completing the harmonious urban fabric of its street in Hudson, bringing life to the vacant lot on which it was built. The building’s skin is made of corrugated aluminum panels with finger-width gaps, a practical choice that combines durability, low cost, and easy maintenance. As the sun moves throughout the day, this skin creates a dynamic light interaction, with patterns of shadows and light changing on its surface, giving the façade a renewed life over the course of the day.

A Color Palette That Tells a Story

The design language is not limited to form alone; it extends to a carefully considered color palette. The colors of the façades contrast to define the identity of each space; the inner surface of the ‘L’ facing the courtyard is painted a soft cerulean green, while the outer façades appear in pure white. The creative touch comes from the muted blue paint on the underside of the projecting canopies, a heritage reference to the Southern tradition of “Haint Blue,” believed to ward off spirits.

A Home… and a Gallery Simultaneously

The 1,700-square-foot house was specifically designed to be the perfect frame for the rare collection of design treasures owned by Mark McDonald and Dwayne Resnick. McDonald is renowned for his pivotal role in reviving interest in Mid-Century Modern furniture, particularly the works of legendary designers like Marcel Breuer, Alvar Aalto, and Charles and Ray Eames. Therefore, the open-plan interiors, fully lined with birch plywood, act as a completely neutral backdrop, highlighting the beauty of the displayed furniture without competition, including a rare 1910 Frank Lloyd Wright fixture and furniture by Rudolph Schindler.

Hudson L-House / Steven Holl Architects - Interior Photography, Wood, Lighting, Stairs

Smart Design Moments

The design is interspersed with numerous playful and intelligent elements that break the monotony of the space:

· A Powder Room as a Pivotal Point: At the inner angle of the ‘L’, the powder room is rotated 45 degrees to act as a “hinge” connecting the private and public service and living zones of the house. This geometric concept is reinforced by a right-angled door placement and a corner-wrapping window, while a frosted glass panel suspended from the ceiling connects the room to an exterior window, enhancing the sense of openness and creating multiple layers of natural light.
· Lighting and a Fountain in the Shape of an ‘L’: A custom-designed “Hudson L” chandelier was created for the house, made from folded brass with diffused LED lighting, reflecting the architectural form of the home. In the courtyard, a sculptural fountain composed of two folded brass “L” shapes circulates rainwater in the courtyard pond, thereby enhancing the visual and practical relationship with the natural water cycle.

A Conscious Connection with Nature

The dialogue is not confined to the interior design alone but extends to the relationship with the site and surroundings:

· A Natural Perspective: Internal views are carefully framed through precisely designed windows, such as the south-facing sleeping area that offers a panoramic composition through joined picture windows overlooking the historic Terry Gillette Mansion.
· The Overhead and Connection to the Sky: A catwalk leads to a pop-up sky monitor that introduces additional light from above and provides access to a flat roof with sweeping views of the Catskills—a subtle homage to the Luminist painters of the Hudson River School.
· Deep Sustainability: The house features a state-of-the-art geothermal heating and cooling system, drastically reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the system of collecting rainwater in the pond enhances the building’s connection to natural cycles.

✦ Archup Editorial Insight

The project explores the potential of the simple ‘L’ form to organize living and working spaces within a single mass, aiming to create privacy and capture light. The design raises questions about the form’s effectiveness in addressing acoustic and visual separation between the work and living zones, particularly with a valuable furniture collection requiring a controlled environment. The envelope relies entirely on corrugated aluminum as the sole barrier between inside and outside, prompting a dialogue about the material’s ability to provide sufficient thermal insulation in a climate known for its variability, weighed against the ease of maintenance it offers. However, the design’s efficiency is highlighted in its management of water through an integrated system combining a rainwater collection pond and a fountain, achieving a closed loop that enhances sustainability on a site-specific level.