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Studio Update: A Look Back at the Last Three Months

By Marisa on . Posted in Behind the Scenes, Construction Updates

The last three months have been a busy and exciting stretch in the studio. Winter kept us on our toes in the Hudson Valley — cold days on site, shorter light, and still so much happening on all fronts. As the season turns and we head into spring, it feels like the right moment to step back and take stock of everything the team has been working on. From projects wrapping up construction to new designs taking shape on the boards, here’s where things stand.

In the Press

It’s been a landmark few months for Studio MM in the press, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

VIA43 in Residential Design Magazine

We are thrilled to share that VIA43 has been published in the latest issue of Residential Design Magazine! Located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, VIA43 is a project very close to our hearts — and it’s incredibly meaningful to see it recognized in such a respected publication.

Studio MM Architect and Marica McKeel, featured in Residential Design Magazine. Images show VIA43, a contemporary home design, integrated into a rural wooded landscape.

Art Fort in Upstate House

We were so happy to see Art Fort featured in the latest issue of Upstate House. The piece does a beautiful job capturing the heart of this project — how a modest footprint, thoughtful site response, and a “treehouse” perspective can create something that feels truly expansive. Many thanks to the Upstate House team for such a thoughtful profile!

Upstate House magazine Spring 2026 issue featuring Studio MM’s "Art Fort" project. The image shows a sleek, modern home with large windows nestled in a wooded Hudson Valley landscape.
Wass House on ArchDaily

And to round out a wonderful stretch of press, Wass House was featured on ArchDaily! We are very proud of this project and grateful for the opportunity to share it with ArchDaily’s global audience of architects and design lovers. You can read the full feature here.

Exterior view of Wass House by Studio MM Architect, featuring two black gabled volumes connected by a central glass breezeway under a cloudy sky.

Studio News

Team Day: March 2026

One of our favorite Studio MM traditions is our Team Days — time together in person, away from our screens. This past month, Betsy curated an incredible day: a studio visit and factory tour at RBW, a walkthrough of a recently completed client home (beautifully, modernly cozy — we’re still thinking about it), and a visit to T Space, home to Steven Holl’s upstate New York office and archives. A pretty perfect day all around. 💙

Marica McKeel and the Studio MM team during a factory tour at RBW in Kingston, NY, discussing lighting design and local craftsmanship with a manufacturer.
Betsy, a team member at Studio MM Architect, touches a textured, matte-blue finish sample while touring the RBW Lighting factory in Kingston, NY.
Detail of modern residential exterior at Barnstormer by Studio MM Architect, showing the contrast between natural wood texture and minimalist black lighting fixtures.
Alexa and Holdt of Studio MM Architect touring the Steven Holl Architects Architectural Archive at T Space in Rhinebeck, NY, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling shelves of white architectural models.
Marica Speaks at Lehigh University

In early March, Marica was honored to speak at Lehigh University’s College of Art, Architecture and Design alongside two incredible fellow women in the field. She shared her journey — hits, misses, and everything in between — with the next generation of architects. The building alone was worth the trip: a former Bethlehem Steel facility with 60-foot ceilings, drone obstacle courses, and a rocket design studio. Marica may or may not be considering going back to school.

In Design

The Nest

The past three months have been a deep and rewarding dive into Design Development for The Nest. After Schematic Design, we really got to know our clients — their habits, their tastes, the small moments that matter to them — and that connection has made the design process all the more meaningful. Some of our favorite details so far include a cozy reading nook and a thoughtful pet dish moment that feel genuinely personal to this family. On the bigger design challenges, we’ve been working hard to find a solution that gives the home both a gabled roof and the epic open views the site calls for. We love how the house and patio are tucking into the landscape — can’t wait to share more as this one evolves!

A 3D digital architectural model of "The Nest," a modern home by Studio MM Architect, showing a multi-volume wood-clad structure with large glass windows on a terraced landscape.
Queensbury Reno

Queensbury Reno has moved into Construction Documents — a big milestone! Earlier in the quarter we reviewed the interior design for the main bathroom addition with the clients and received great feedback on materiality. We’ve also been collaborating with Jack at Vernacular Design on a custom millwork shelf unit for the office, which we’re really excited about. Things are moving in a great direction on this one.

Design inspiration collage for a modern renovation featuring arched doorways, limestone plaster walls, marble vanities, a freestanding soaking tub, and natural wood accents.
See Haus

We’re in the final stretch of Schematic Design on See Haus and wrapping up with some really helpful, detailed feedback from our clients that gives us strong direction heading into Design Development. We’re sharing sketches and inspiration images back and forth as we align on the vision — and we’re looking forward to working on some landscaping concepts and jumping into more developement soon!

Artist studio interior with custom wooden bookshelves, painting storage, and modern globe lighting.
Modern rustic bathroom: stone shower walls, bronze fixtures, and wall-mounted toilet.
Modern minimalist apartment interior showing vertical spatial layering. Features include white-painted structural beams, integrated plant life, and tiered shelving that creates a sense of depth and openness.
Beacon Firehouse

We are so excited to be working on the renovation of a historic firehouse in Beacon into a single family home! This is a really special project — we’re working with a fantastic family who is relocating to the Hudson Valley, and the bones of this building are full of character and potential. We’ve been deep in pre-design, documenting existing conditions, and we’re gearing up for our first Schematic Design meeting in April. Check out some of the historic images we’ve been digging up for inspiration!

A mid-century black and white photograph of the Beacon Engine Co. No. 1 firehouse. A vintage open-cab fire engine is parked in front. The building shows a two-story brick addition on the left with large rectangular windows, while the original Victorian Gothic structure features arched windows and its signature bell tower.
A historic black and white photo of the Beacon firehouse from the late 19th or early 20th century. A horse-drawn fire carriage is visible inside the central arched bay. The building features intricate brickwork, a mansard-style roof section, and a prominent wooden bell tower with an ornate pointed roof.
A black and white photo of the firehouse decorated for the Beacon Engine Co. 100th Anniversary. A massive American flag hangs from the front of the brick building, and "100th Anniversary" banners are visible on the left addition. A fireman in uniform stands by a fire truck in the foreground.
A vintage hand-colored postcard of Beacon Engine Co. No. 1 in Beacon, NY. The red brick firehouse stands prominently with its tall, grey-roofed bell tower and a smaller matching side tower. A red motorized fire engine is exiting the main bay, and the surrounding neighborhood shows lush green trees and Victorian-era houses.
Black Rock

We’ve been having a lot of fun getting into the design of this renovation project in Connecticut. The goal is to open the house up to the backyard and create a layout that truly works for a young, active family — with the kitchen as the heart of the home, room for play, space for work, and some fun pops of color throughout. A great project to dig into.

An interior design mood board titled "Black Rock Inspiration Images" by Studio MM Architect. The board features eight images showcasing a bold, colorful, and modern aesthetic. Key elements include deep navy and charcoal walls, vibrant accents like neon green and orange doors, a pink runner in a multi-colored hallway, and playful built-in shelving in pastel hues. The furniture is a mix of mid-century modern and contemporary styles, emphasizing rich textures and geometric patterns.
Acorn Hill

Acorn Hill is about to start demo! We are submitting for permit today on this Olivebridge renovation, which focuses on opening the home up to its absolutely gorgeous surrounding property and creating a more expansive, light-filled living space. We can’t wait to get started.

A photograph of the existing exterior of the Acorn Hill residence in Olivebridge, NY. The house is a multi-level structure with tan vinyl siding, a brown metal roof, and a large wooden deck featuring a wire mesh railing. The surrounding landscape is a lush green lawn with mature trees under a blue sky.
Existing House – Before
A 3D architectural massing model by Studio MM Architect showing the proposed renovation for Acorn Hill. The design transforms the original structure into a modern composition of intersecting volumes with a neutral cream palette and dark roofing. It features expanded glazing, including large picture windows and sliding glass doors that lead to multiple new deck areas.

In Construction

Quattro

Quattro has been cranking along this winter. Interior framing is nearing completion, windows and doors have been installed, and Phase 1 roofing was completed! Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical rough-ins are all in progress, and we’ve been out to site to measure for millwork. It’s exciting to watch this home take shape.

Exterior wide shot of Quattro, a custom modern home under construction in Saugerties. The structure features green ZIP System sheathing, a flat roofline with a clerestory level, and an integrated carport. The surrounding site is a dirt and gravel clearing with bare trees in the background.
Interior view of the framing phase at Quattro, showing two builders working near a large window wall. One worker stands on a blue stepladder reaching toward the ceiling joists, while the other observes from the subfloor. Marvin windows and tall glass doors are visible in the background.
Exterior detail shot of the green ZIP System wall sheathing on Quattro. Multiple black-framed Marvin windows are installed and taped for weatherproofing.
Wide interior view of the open-concept framing at Quattro. Exposed wooden ceiling joists and wall studs create a rhythmic pattern. A row of clerestory windows lets in natural light above the main living area, where construction tools and a miter saw station are set up.
Interior perspective looking out through a large, black-framed Marvin window and clerestory assembly at Quattro. The view through the glass shows the wooded Saugerties landscape and the exterior green sheathing of an adjacent wing of the home.
Artists’ Ranch

Artists’ Ranch has hit a beautiful stretch of construction. Tile is going into the main bathroom, the bluestone flooring has been installed throughout the entry, kitchen, and living room, and the wood floors are being sanded and finished. Outside, the stone chimney is going up, and millwork is expected on site next week. The layers of materiality coming together here are really exciting.

A craftsman installs vibrant yellow Zellige tiles on a bathroom wall at Artists Ranch. Standing on a work platform, the worker carefully aligns the small, hand-finished square tiles against the backdrop of a partially finished drywall ceiling.
A tall wooden scaffolding tower stands against the exterior of Artists Ranch in the Hudson Valley. A worker is visible on the roofline near a stone-clad chimney feature, with large modern windows and grey siding framing the central structure.
Two builders at Artists Ranch use extension poles to paint the ceiling. The kitchen range hood is wrapped in protective translucent plastic, with red ladders and construction materials visible in the background of the bright, open space.
Olivebridge Reno

A landmark moment at Olivebridge: the clients have returned home! Bathroom finishes are installed, the kitchen is complete, the mudroom addition has received its windows and flooring, and nearly all of the millwork has been delivered and installed. There’s just a bit left to do in the mudroom to wrap things up. Such a satisfying project to see come together.

An exterior view of the Olivebridge Reno addition featuring green ZIP System sheathing and two tall, black-framed Marvin windows. The modern structure is attached to a traditional log-style home, with stacks of stone pavers and a gravel workspace in the foreground.
The interior of the Olivebridge Reno addition during the construction phase. The room features exposed ceiling insulation, unfinished drywall, and large windows that fill the space with natural light. A glass-paneled door at the far end offers a view of the surrounding wooded landscape in the Hudson Valley.
Interior shot of a modern shower installation at Olivebridge Reno. The design features a large, neutral-toned stone slab next to a recessed niche with light green square tiles and built-in shelving. Shower fixtures are positioned on the main slab, illustrating the high-end finishes of this Hudson Valley project.
A minimalist, cantilevered concrete bench is integrated into a bathroom or spa area at Olivebridge Reno. The clean lines of the bench contrast with an adjacent rustic wood-plank wall, showcasing the modern-meets-natural aesthetic typical of Hudson Valley modern architecture.
MCM Reno

MCM Reno is well into its construction phase. Kitchen cabinet configurations are being finalized and countertops in the kitchen and pantry will be templated for fabrication soon. The exterior of the pantry area has been repaired and closed in. We also had a productive site meeting to work through the layout of the laundry room, pocket doors, and primary bathroom — and the office area is beginning to take shape as well.

Interior view of the kitchen renovation at MCM Reno, featuring an augmented reality (AR) or digital sketch overlay. The white line drawing visualizes future cabinetry and shelving above the existing light-wood base cabinets, set against a vaulted ceiling with dark wood beams.
A close-up of a custom kitchen island under construction at MCM Reno. A digital white-line overlay illustrates the planned countertop, sink, and faucet placement over the light-wood cabinet frame, highlighting the precise design process of this mid-century modern renovation.
A "behind-the-scenes" look at the kitchen installation at MCM Reno. Three individuals discuss the layout in the active construction zone, which features light-wood cabinetry, blue painter's tape on the floor for templating, and protective plastic over the windows.
Accord Addition

Big news at Accord Addition: the pool house and addition are complete! We walked through with the clients to perform the punchlist and the contractor is returning this week to take care of a few final items. A wonderful project to see reach the finish line.

An exterior view of the Accord Addition, a striking two-story modern volume with black horizontal siding. The structure features a wood-beam pergola over a large glass sliding door and three symmetrical windows above, set against a snowy Hudson Valley landscape.
Interior view of the Accord Addition's upper loft, showcasing warm wood plank flooring and exposed timber ceiling beams. A black metal horizontal cable railing lines the staircase and overlooks the double-height space, with natural light pouring in from multiple windows.
A candid interior shot of the Accord Addition featuring two people standing on a light-wood staircase with a modern black metal railing. Large windows behind them frame the surrounding trees, highlighting the bright, airy atmosphere of the new living space.
Exterior shot of Accord Addition showing a modern red-sided wing attached to the original home. The addition features a flat roofline with white trim and a trio of large white-framed windows that look out over a snowy landscape. A small wooden staircase with a handrail leads to a side entrance on the left.
Pond Lane

Pond Lane is nearly ready for paint — drywall installation is almost complete and things are moving along steadily. We’re working through bathroom finish selections as the project heads into its next phase.

Exterior view of the Pond Lane Modern Renovation during a snowy winter. The home is wrapped in Typar weather barrier with black-framed windows installed. The architectural profile features a dramatic gabled roofline with a large, multi-story glass curtain wall and an integrated porch deck under construction.
Interior framing of the Pond Lane Modern Renovation showing a double-height living space with a vaulted ceiling. A massive wall of windows is framed out, offering an expansive view of the surrounding trees and hills. Scaffolding and construction materials sit on the plywood subfloor of the upper loft level.
Exterior wide shot of the Pond Lane Modern Renovation at twilight. The massive double-height glass curtain wall is illuminated from within, glowing against the evening sky and showcasing the interior timber framing. The home's exterior is currently wrapped in Typar weather barrier, with a new wooden deck and screened-in porch area under construction in the foreground.
Shokan Reno

Phase 2 of the Shokan Reno is done! All millwork has been installed in the kids’ bedroom and guest bedroom, and the project is ready for punchlist. We’re just waiting on a few furniture deliveries before everything is truly in place. A really satisfying renovation to see through.

Interior view of a nursery at Shokan Reno, featuring custom light-wood built-in cabinetry and a low bench. The focal point is a detailed wall mural depicting a forest scene with woodland animals like deer and bears, illustrating a playful yet modern Hudson Valley interior.
A renovated bedroom at Shokan Reno showing a custom wood-paneled headboard niche with integrated lighting and flanking open shelving. The room is finished with dark-stained wood floors and a vintage-style industrial wire cage ceiling light.
A detail shot of the custom cabinetry at Shokan Reno, showing the open doors of a tall birch plywood wardrobe. The interior reveals adjustable shelving and high-quality craftsmanship, part of a cohesive built-in storage solution that maximizes space in the home.
Vannstrom

Vannstrom is tantalizingly close to the finish line. Decking is finished, railings are installed, and the house is receiving its final coat of paint this week. The pool is waiting on more predictable weather before plastering — almost there! Punchlist is just around the corner.

Exterior view of a multi-level wooden deck at Vannstrom featuring a minimalist black metal cable railing. The deck overlooks a sloping wooded site, with a concrete foundation or pool structure visible in the lower section of the construction site.
A wide perspective of the Vannstrom exterior deck, showcasing the contrast between the warm wood planking and the charcoal-colored horizontal siding of the main house. The black cable railing provides a secure, low-profile boundary that maintains views of the surrounding Hudson Valley forest.
Jardin66

Finishes are well underway at Jardin66. Kitchen cabinets are in and countertops are on the way. The primary bath walnut vanity is installed alongside a feature tile wall. The exterior will be painted as soon as the weather cooperates.

An interior view of the Jardin66 renovation during the construction phase. The kitchen and living area feature a dramatic vaulted ceiling with black structural collar ties. A pink Dutch door serves as a colorful focal point in the background, while white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances are partially installed amid protected subflooring.
A detailed view of a custom bath vanity area at Jardin66. A rich, dark wood desk with multiple drawers sits beneath a striking wall of book-matched grey marble or stone tiles that follow the line of the sloped ceiling, showcasing high-end interior finishes.
A hallway perspective at Jardin66 highlighting a seamless wall of custom floor-to-ceiling wooden storage cabinets. The clean, handle-less design emphasizes the minimalist modern aesthetic of the renovation, with temporary construction lighting and floor protection still in place.
Hudson House

Hudson House is rounding a corner! Siding, windows, drywall, and electrical are all in. Millwork shop drawings have been reviewed and approved. Now we’re waiting on finishes to arrive on site — we’re looking forward to seeing the old elements of this townhouse start to blend with the new!

Interior view of the hallway and staircase at Hudson House during renovation. The shot shows a historic wooden staircase with a curved banister and traditional spindles being preserved within a clean, modern white drywall envelope. The subfloor is currently protected with paper, highlighting the blend of historic character and contemporary design.
A detailed close-up of a custom arched doorway at Hudson House. The smooth, sculptural curve of the drywall reflects the refined modern craftsmanship of this townhouse renovation, creating a soft architectural transition between spaces.
A perspective shot through a series of doorways at Hudson House. The view captures the minimalist aesthetic of the project, featuring sharp geometric lines contrasted by a rounded arched opening in the distance, emphasizing the depth and light of the new interior layout.
A low-angle detail shot of the Hudson House exterior, focusing on the precision of the mitered corner where two walls of dark, horizontally charred or stained wood siding meet. The natural texture of the wood is visible under the overcast sky, framed by golden autumn leaves at the top of the frame.
An exterior view showing the connection between the original structure and the modern Hudson House addition. The transition is marked by a tall, vertical glass window assembly that separates the traditional light-grey horizontal siding of the existing townhouse from the dark, contemporary wood-clad volume of the new renovation.
Fowler Lake

Things are moving quickly at Fowler Lake — we just broke ground this week! After several months of coordinating cabinetry and finalizing bidding, construction is officially underway. The project will bring a more functional kitchen layout (by Cabinet Designers) and a new outdoor entertaining area to the home. Exciting things ahead!

An architectural rendering of the kitchen at Fowler Lake, a Japanese-inspired modern renovation in Ghent. The design features a minimalist aesthetic with a vaulted ceiling and dark-stained structural beams that frame the white walls. A combination of charcoal-black and light oak cabinetry is paired with a central kitchen island and a vertically oriented, wood-textured tile backsplash. Large windows provide a seamless connection to the Hudson Valley landscape, reflecting the project's focus on nature-integrated living.

What a great stretch it’s been! The team is energized heading into spring, with so many projects approaching exciting milestones, a few wonderful new designs in the works, and some really meaningful moments in the press and beyond. We’re looking forward to warmer weather and all that spring in the Hudson Valley has to offer!

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