House in Bovina 1 by Onland Architecture

House in Bovina 1 is an inspired rejuvenation of a dilapidated site in the Catskills Mountains region of New York state grounded in a clear vision: to reclaim and reinvent.

The compact, two-storey, two-bedroom building resembles a contemporary version of a classic garden shed from the outside, yet inside is a warm and cosy retreat. Nestling the home on a small site within a pristine forest setting, Onland Architecture seeks to maximise the footprint of the existing slab on site while providing a flexible living and remote working space for the inhabitants.

The design approach is grounded in preserving the former agricultural site and paying homage to the existing building, while considered interventions were added to ensure the space is functional and connected to the outdoors.

The design approach was grounded in preserving the former agricultural site and paying homage to the existing building, while considered interventions were added to ensure the space is functional and connected to the outdoors. An existing concrete slab with a chimney stack was re-purposed, while the exterior materiality echoes the charred remains of the former house that burned down a decade prior. “This lent the site the qualities of a ruin,” says Landon Brown, founder and principal of Onland Architecture. “With that initial impression in mind, the first decision was to clad the new structure built on a reused foundation and existing footprint, entirely in charred wood.”

Similarly, newly introduced punched windows are carefully arranged to frame unique views of the mountains beyond. “Each window opening in the structure was designed with a specific view and orientation,” says Brown. “This allows the fenestration of the building to be kept to a minimum whilst bringing ample light to the interior of a structure that feels like a solid volume placed gently into the landscape.”

“Blackened metal trim, steps and hardware details at the window and door openings nod to agricultural structures characteristic of the region,” says Brown.

In line with the charred elevations of vertical wood siding used for the exterior, House in Bovina 1 is dominated by dark, robust materiality. “Blackened metal trim, steps and hardware details at the window and door openings nod to agricultural structures characteristic of the region,” says Brown. This sits in contrast to the interior, which is dominated by white walls, warm hardwood floors and railings, and natural tones, while the kitchen counter is a naturally blackened oak. “Furnishings and other interior details bring subtle textures of wool and woven fabrics, with muted greys and earth tones,” notes Brown.

In this sense, House in Bovina is fairly minimalist, placing the focus on the lush, stunning wooded surroundings and the simple rituals of daily living. While compact and efficient, the home feels generous and comfortable, an oasis in the middle of the woods.

Architecture by Onland Architecture.