The ideas for this competition proposal start from several places: first, inspired by the daily life of farmers, there is an interest in tuning a work of architecture to the rituals of farm life. The second inspiration comes from the rural building types and vernacular forms of the Catskills region.
The building’s elemental simplicity distills the experience of a day into three spaces which seek to elevate routine into ritual: in the center is the space for food preparation, eating, and the social events that surround food. This central space is also where one enters. It faces due south, and extends onto a platform for outdoor work, social gathering, and relaxation. To the east of the kitchen is the studio, a space for work. This area is continuous with the kitchen and allows both areas to serve a variety of needs and changing numbers of guests.
On the west end of the building is the space for sleeping. A simple bed is raised on a platform and centered under a venting skylight in the roof, orienting the sleeper to the weather and the stars above.
The studio space has a simple huge window that faces north, promoting a direct intimacy with the landscape while providing an even north light for the work space.