The Floating Peak House

A single family residence set within the site of the historic gardens of the former Webster Estate. A continuous fieldstone wall running from east to west encloses the gardens and the main axis of the less private areas at the front of the home. Natural materials such as limestone flooring, a large fieldstone hearth, exposed heavy timbers and a wood deck ceiling that floats above clerestory windows on the south harmonize with views of the garden through floor to ceiling windows along the north side of the front volume. An atrium stair with south facing windows artfully shaded by glass tube hot water collectors leads to the Guest and Nanny bedrooms above. Beyond the east/west axis of the more public spaces, the secluded private sleeping and study areas of the second level float above the mostly glass walls of the main living areas below. A glass curtain wall exposes the undersides of the branches of a giant Cedar of Lebanon tree as one climbs the steel and glass staircase to the second level. The subtle play of steel, oak, walnut and ornamental colored glass create a rhythm of screens, railings and detailed cabinetry that begins at the front door and extends throughout the house. Thin film photo-voltaics on the south-facing roof of the main volume help to power the geothermal heat pump that provides much of the heating and cooling for the house.