A House with a View
This 2,100 SF modern home sits atop Mohican Hill, designed for an editor seeking a quiet, contemplative retreat that fully embraces the surrounding parkland views. The sloping site offers long vistas to the northwest and southwest, while a tall neighboring house to the east blocks views in that direction, shaping the home’s orientation and layout.
The design consists of two primary volumes—a linear bedroom bar and an open living pavilion—connected by a glazed entry hall that leads directly to a rear terrace. The bar creates privacy along the eastern edge, while all major spaces face the park. The pavilion, containing the kitchen and main living areas, opens fully to the landscape with clerestory windows that bring in abundant natural light. Both the living area and ground-floor office open onto a bluestone terrace with a lap pool extending the home’s connection to the park.
A series of interlocking stone terraces forms the approach to the entrance. Corner windows, bays, and high awning windows provide framed views while maintaining privacy. The house sits on a dark manganese brick plinth with steel detailing, supporting mahoganyclad volumes. Leadcoated copper accents and a white clerestory band introduce contrast, while natural materials—clear maple cabinetry, bluestone, oak and maple flooring, and native stone—create a cohesive palette. A natural rock outcropping discovered during construction was incorporated into the outdoor shower and landscape.
Despite its modest size, the home maximizes its hilltop setting, offering seclusion, light, and expansive views in a serene modern retreat.
Project team includes:
- Contractor: GN Contracting
- Photography: © Hoachlander Davis Photography LLC
