Set on three hundred acres of rolling Berkshire landscape, the first challenge of the project was to find the perfect building site from which to experience the surroundings. The choice was the ecotone—the border between two adjacent ecological systems. The house stretches along the line where the forest meets the meadow. The building is thin enough that each room, as you move through the house, balances a feeling of interior refuge with distant prospect views.
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
Berkshire Residence
Berkshires, Massachusetts
The main level of the house was raised about 10 feet above the ground, partly to maximize the views, but also to get up above the humidity and insects in the summertime, and the snow in the winter.
The living room is lined with hand-cranked operable window walls. When completely open, the sensation is akin to being in an elegant and comfortable tree fort, hovering above the landscape. There are several other gizmos in the house, including the dumbwaiter adjacent to the entry.
When you live in big, beautiful country like this, the land is more important than the architecture.Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA
Design Principal
55 Bell Street
Seattle, Washington
Bigwood Residence
Sun Valley, Idaho
Publications
2023
“The Architecture of Risk.” world-architects eMagazine, 01 Nov. 2023. Web.
“World’s Best Design Details: Olson Kundig’s Kinetic Architecture.” Architizer, 08 Feb. 2023. Web.
2020
Camillo, Paola. “Tom Kundig.” Contract Book, #3 / Jul. 2020, 108-112. Print.
2018
Jodidio, Philip. “Olson Kundig. Berkshire Residence.” Homes for Our Time: Contemporary Houses around the World, TASCHEN, Dec. 2018, 6, 23, 306-313. Book.
2015
“Olson Kundig Architects’ Country Retreat Offers Stupendous Views of Massachusetts.” Men Lifestyle, 24 Nov. 2015. Web.
Shi. ”2015 What is good design? Wallpaper annual list released.” Q Daily, 20 Dec. 2015. Web.
Sisson, Patrick. “Architect Tom Kundig Talks Inspiration and the Ideal Cabin.” Curbed Seattle, 6 Nov. 2015. Web.