Dezeen Magazine

Two timber-clad pitched-roof structures on a snowy hill

Elizabeth Roberts combines two buildings into one for a Catskills ski house

Brooklyn studio Elizabeth Roberts Architects has completed a cedar alpine house in the Catskills Mountains that connects two gabled forms underground.

Located on a mountainside in Windham, New York, the 3,500-square-foot (325-square-metre) house sits on a 1.4 acre site with a steep drop-off.

Two timber-clad pitched-roof structures on a snowy hill with trees
The two pitched structures connect on an underground floor level

Completed in 2022, Elizabeth Roberts Architects used the grade to embed part of the plan and maximize views of the mountains.

"The rooms connecting the two gable volumes are tucked below a walkway at the entry level," the studio said. "This inconspicuous space creates the effect of two separate buildings from the approach."

Two timber-clad pitched-roof structures on a snowy hill with trees
Cedar cladding covers the home's exterior

From the exterior, the house appears to be two simple gabled buildings wrapped in vertical western red cedar, connected by a slate-coloured walkway.

The limited material palette references local agrarian buildings with small punched openings set in minimal black frames.

Open plan dining and living room with a glazed gable end overlooking a hilly landscape
The glazed gable end of the home overlooks the landscape

Stepping into the modest form from the uphill side of the site – through a wood-wrapped ski room with storage and cubbies – the warm interiors open to a panoramic view through the entirely glazed gable end.

The black storefront serves as a slim geometric frame for the floor-to-ceiling windows that bring light into the living room and kitchen.

Stark white walls are softened by white oak floors and millwork, while pops of black – like a waterfall island and blocky twin fireplaces that are connected by a tiled hearth and a bench.

Prefabricated wood trusses extend the vaulted ceiling into a loft space that overlooks the family areas.

A living room with white walls, a large fireplace, patterned rug, grey sofa and woven stools
White walls and white oak flooring finish the interior

A white oak staircase descends into the lower level where a lounge, four bedrooms and four bathrooms are set within the concrete base, which is tied into the rock ledge.

The partially submerged lower level creates a cosy, intimate sleeping environment.

A kitchen with white walls, black island top and a black fireplace next to built-in seat under a window
The interior spaces are punctuated with black accents, including the kitchen island and fireplace

A tile wet bar, located underneath the exterior walkway, connects the main house to the secondary form that contains the primary suite.

Sliding glass doors across the back of the house direct views out to the landscape, as does the simple deck that wraps the corner of the house.

Open-plan kitchen and dining room with a wood table, colourful diniing chairs, black kitchen island, wood kitchen storage and exposed roof structure
The home is located on a mountainside in the Catskills

The studio used robust wall assemblies and high-performance building systems to create the efficient, durable home the environment warranted.

"Our clients asked for a modest house, a house that was decidedly not 'ski-lodge-like'," the team said.

The house is reminiscent of other wood-clad, gabled designs in the Catskills – like Feuerstein Quagliara's house that set deep porches within the form's profile and River Architects' barn-style cidery with reclaimed wood screens.

The photography is by Chris Mottalini.

More images and plans

Ground floor and first floor plans of the Catskills ski house by Elizabeth Roberts Architects
Wood-panelled wall with coat pegs and a wooden chair
Timber staircase with timber-clad walls
White room with wooden floors, large window and a wooden desk with a stool seat
Black bathroom sink with circular wall mirror and timber walls
Corner of a timber-clad kitchen with a pocket sliding door, wood kitchen units and wooden shelves
Timber-clad boot room with gridded wall storage for coats and hats
Top of a timber staircase in a pitched-ceiling room with a glazed gable end
Open-plan dining room with wooden table and chairs and a glazed gable end
Built-in seating covered in black tiles under a window, with cream blankets and yellow and purple cushions
Built-in seating covered in black tiles under a window, with cream blankets and yellow and purple cushions next to a fireplace
Kitchen with timber units and wall storage with grey splashback
Open-plan kitchen and dining room with wooden table, black kitchen island, timber kitchen storage and exposed roof structure
Kitchen counter and wall tiles with brown rectangle tiles, with black units and a wooden shelf
Concrete and timber-clad home on a snowy hillside in a wooded area
Side of a timber-clad home with tall windows in a snowy forest
Gable end of a timber-clad home in the snow
Timber-clad home on a snowy hillside overlooking the landscape
Concrete and timber-clad home on a snowy hillside in a wooded area