On a secluded peninsula of a lake in New Hampshire sits a house. It feels secluded – from the water, the homes are hidden by the surrounding forest. ‘When I walked onto the site, I was immediately struck by the verticality of all the trees,’ says Jim Olson, principal and founder of Olson Kundig. ‘That first impression inspired the design’s strong horizontal lines, which serve as a counterpoint to visually weave together the house and landscape.’
Jim’s client – a jewelry maker, art collector and former gallery owner – asked him to create an artistic, casual place for friends and relatives to gather for fun and relaxation, that could also serve as a cosy refuge for solitude, contemplation and creative thought. One specific feature on her wishlist was a screened porch – a nod to the New Hampshire tradition which allows for year-round use and fluid indoor/outdoor living.
Environmental considerations were an important factor; the client wanted the home to be earth-friendly, from the material selections to the interior furnishings. ‘Because of the sustainability goals, it was important to prioritise function and aesthetics – we wanted to create a space that is high-performing and built to last,’ says Jim.
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‘Partnering with a snow consultant early on ensured the structure could withstand the harsh New Hampshire winters. We also worked with Spearhead to design and fabricate a specialty timber frame package for the project.’ The house features geothermal heat pumps and triple glazed windows and the studio also planted native trees to replace those that were excavated during construction to revive the original verticality of the forest.
Jim designed the floorplan to maximise views through the house, across the forest and out to the water. Inside, the goal was to blend contemporary minimalism and vintage eclecticism without feeling too precious, and with an emphasis on comfort and flexibility.
The central gathering spaces are characterised by a rhythm of columns and beams, creating structured yet open spaces. In the living room, a steel fireplace is framed by custom joinery, while the kitchen’s metal splashback complements the wooden tones and textures for a warm, tactile effect. Bespoke furniture designed by Jim includes two dining tables that can be put together for larger gatherings, plus a games table that adjusts to cocktail height.
‘We wanted to balance modernity with the warmth of a traditional cabin,’ he says, explaining how ‘honest’ materials such as concrete for the floors, galvanised steel, vertical grain Douglas fir, stained cedar and walnut helped them achieve the warm, grounded feel the client was looking for. This base palette perfectly sets off a decorative layer of Moroccan tiles and handwoven textiles, plus the client’s collection of art and antiques.
Outside, again the material choices were driven by the project’s building performance goals. Sustainable choices were made wherever possible, such as the Kebony siding that wraps the house. Durable and long-lasting, it also visually grounds the home in the earth, making it feel like a natural extension of the landscape. Two cantilevered wings extend into the trees, allowing the occupants to feel like they’re hidden in the forest canopy.
The home includes two main bedroom suites in the cantilevered wings, a guest room and flexible sleeping arrangements for up to 30 people, including daybeds along the hallway and a permanently parked Airstream trailer. There’s even a playful slide for visiting children which descends to the ground-level to access the shoreline.
The finished home is an authentic and true reflection of its owner’s unique style, as well as Jim’s site-focused design approach. ‘I’m happy I could help bring her vision to life,’ he says, adding that his satisfied client has already hosted a number of gatherings for family and friends, which was the key goal that drove the design.
While this was originally intended to be a summer retreat, the building’s flexibility offered her such an unexpected level of quiet solitude it has quickly evolved into a year-round home. olsonkundig.com
Tom Kundig: Complete Houses is available to order via Phaidon/Monacelli, Amazon, and other retailers for £79.95
