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photo of Berkshire Residence
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

Berkshire Residence

Berkshires, Massachusetts

Berkshire Residence

Berkshires, Massachusetts

  • Design Principal

    Tom Kundig

Set on three hundred acres of rolling Berkshire landscape, the first challenge of the project was to find the perfect building site from which to experience the surroundings. The choice was the ecotone—the border between two adjacent ecological systems. The house stretches along the line where the forest meets the meadow. The building is thin enough that each room, as you move through the house, balances a feeling of interior refuge with distant prospect views.

The main level of the house was raised about 10 feet above the ground, partly to maximize the views, but also to get up above the humidity and insects in the summertime, and the snow in the winter.

The living room is lined with hand-cranked operable window walls. When completely open, the sensation is akin to being in an elegant and comfortable tree fort, hovering above the landscape. There are several other gizmos in the house, including the dumbwaiter adjacent to the entry.

When you live in big, beautiful country like this, the land is more important than the architecture. Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA

Team

Publications

2020

“Modern countryside retreat nestled on idyllic landscape in the Berkshires.” One Kindesign, 16 Apr. 2020. Web.

Camillo, Paola. “Tom Kundig.” Contract Book, #3 / Jul. 2020, 108-112. Print.

2018

Jodidio, Philip. “Olson Kundig. Berkshire Residence.” Homes for Our Time: Contemporary Houses around the World, TASCHEN, Dec. 2018, 6, 23, 306-313. Book.

2015

Fayle, Jane. “Olson Kundig Architects’ Country Retreat Offers Stupendous Views of Massachusetts.” High Snobiety, 21 Nov. 2015. Web.

Keh, Pei-Ruh. “Open plan: a vacation home in the Berkshires becomes one with the landscape.” Wallpaper*, 19 Nov. 2015. Web.

“Olson Kundig Architects’ Country Retreat Offers Stupendous Views of Massachusetts.” Men Lifestyle, 24 Nov. 2015. Web.

Shi. ”2015 What is good design? Wallpaper annual list released.” Q Daily, 20 Dec. 2015. Web.

Silver,Dena. “Wallpaper* Has Launched a U.S. Edition, But It Won’t Be on Newstands.” Observer Style, 9 Nov. 2015. Web.

Sisson, Patrick. “Architect Tom Kundig Talks Inspiration and the Ideal Cabin.” Curbed Seattle, 6 Nov. 2015. Web.