Framing specific views coupled with the play between Public and Private spaces drives the design and redevelopment of this former farm in Columbia County, NY. NPARCH was hired to develop an Agricultural Master Plan as well as to design a Custom residence, a Storage Barn with living space, and a Farm Store and Commercial Kitchen.
A number of distinct programmatic areas on the property lend themselves to specific sight lines from the house. The property is part commercial, part agricultural and part residential. Different areas of the house cater to different areas of the parcel. The commercial areas around the house dictate the need to be able to see newly arriving customers and guests. The agricultural aspects lend themselves to pastoral views over animals and land, begging for perfectly framed views from the most leisurely areas of the home. The reality of a busy family life on a farm establishes very specific processional spaces into and out of the house: places to drop your boots, clean yourself off and then enjoy the spoils of your labor.
Each of these situations is catered to, with the overarching theme of the house to reflect a quite reserve to occupy the landscape as an addition to its' surroundings, not a proudly displayed object seemingly existing out of its' proper context.