by Melody Bay
This private wellness retreat in the woods is the stuff of daydreams with its sprawling mid-century residence on an 11ha plot with a lake view. Nestled in Armonk, New York, the home rises from the foliage like a fairy tale house with its pointed roof and glowing windows; the rest of it is partially hidden by the dense trees.
Originally built in the ’60s, it recently underwent a restoration by BarlisWedlick Architects.
At a glance
Who lives here: A homeowner and occasionally, family and friends
Type of home: Mid-century residence in Armonk, New York
Size of home: 8,000 sq. ft.
ID: BarlisWedlick Architects
When they first took on the project, the team faced the challenge of preserving the timeless appeal of the place while incorporating modern elements of comfort.
“The goals were two-fold. We wanted to create a space where the owner could nurture both body and mind while respecting the existing architecture and preserve elements of this mid-century achievement,” says principal designer Alan Barlis.
To do so, they maintained much of the Scandinavian design language of the original property by retaining, where possible, historical elements such as the vaulted ceilings and original doors.
Other features were thoughtfully reincorporated into the home. For example, a series of arched mahogany trellises that had been supporting the upper level were removed and repositioned on the lower level. An original pair of wood-burning fireplaces still stand in the central studio, but have new bluestone mantles instead of their old brick surrounds.
The team also took care to preserve and build upon the other design elements in the home. “We felt that the existing home displayed elements of the Arts and Crafts Movement in its emphasis on high-quality materials and finely crafted details. There were also elements of Asian architecture in its elevated timber structure and connection of interior and exterior spaces,” shares Alan. Taking into account principles of balance, symmetry and flexibility of spatial use, the redesign was a response to these existing details.
Even though plenty of the home’s historical character was conserved, it is now very much modern in its use. To meet the owner’s design brief, BarlisWedlick Architects reconfigured the property to include a new 1,000 sq ft indoor swimming pool, four more bedrooms, two changing rooms, a gym and a home theatre – essentially, everything one needs for an immersive wellness experience.
Airy and minimalist, the rooms are lit by natural daylight that floods in from the generous expanse of full-height windows.
Much care was also taken to ensure that the home’s design blended well into the surrounding environment. “It was important for us to use materials that were connected to the landscape and to retain as much of the original materials as possible,” says Alan. Materials like local bluestone were used to craft the fireplace mantles, while the wall panels are in white oak.
Much like the woods surrounding the home, the overall palette is warm and welcoming, with an array of earthy tones and soft hues.
As specialists in passive house design, which focuses on working with the natural environment to maximise insulation, the team incorporated elements that reinforced the property’s thermal barrier. For instance, the rebuilt base, together with the meticulous restoration of the timber framing on the upper level and tight sealing of the mahogany window frames, ensure the home is naturally insulated and, hence, more environmentally friendly.
Such a masterpiece has a befitting name: Beckoning Path. With its series of winding paths carved from the landscape by the original owner and carefully preserved architecture, the name works well for a private retreat designed to soothe the senses and sit in harmony with nature.
“We created a space that not only nurtures the body and mind, but also pays homage to an architectural history for which we have great respect,” says Alan.
