The Windham Ski House is a new-construction house overlooking the rolling foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Situated at different elevations of Windham Mountain, it features two gable structures connected by a below-grade passageway. The public volume contains entertaining spaces organized around twin fireplaces and a central kitchen, and is entered through a walk-through storage room for skis, boots and coats. Unobstructed views in this space create a sense of floating over the mountain. The second volume is set into – and further down – the mountainside to reduce the massing and create intimate sleeping spaces.
The site’s steep topography required the foundation to be directly tied into the rock ledge below. Utilizing prefabricated wood trusses, vaulted ceilings maximize views and form a loft space overlooking the kitchen, dining, and living areas. A limited palette of materials and details unify the various spaces and speak to the vernacular agrarian building traditions in the area. Robust wall assemblies and high-performance buildings systems create an efficient, durable home that enhances the experience of living on the mountain.
