Box on the Rock

To allow an aging family member to remain close by and live independently, we created a new, fully-accessible home –despite an extremely steep and densely wooded site. A large oval oculus cut from the entry terrace roof marks the path of the sun –which serves as a constantly changing sundial for a resident with limited activities and mobility.

This modest home, featured in the New York Times article, “Bespoke for the People,” began with a simple rectangular plan –just like many modern prototypes for prefab, sustainable homes. But here, a few subtle shifts morph the shape into something much more environmentally responsive and site-specific. Without losing the economy of prefab, we can customize the house to its site to better capture added benefits that come free of charge –namely, views, light, shade, and breeze.