Creek House
Private Residence
Kerhonkson, NY
Completed: 2013
Design Team:
Marica McKeel
Builder: Hank Starr Builder
Photography: Paul Warchol
A modern weekend getaway in Kerhonkson, New York, Creek House is sited 100 feet above a rushing stream.
Under the canopy of towering oaks and majestic maples, Creek House rests on the cusp of woods and water. Surrounded by seven acres of densely forested terrain, this weekend retreat sits on a precipice overlooking the creek below.
The home was strategically sited on a natural clearing to preserve as many trees as possible, with the design stepping down the hill to further minimize disruption to the land. Tucked into the hillside, the home harnesses geothermal properties of the earth, staying cool in the summer and comfortable year-round. Maintaining an intimate connection with the natural environment, the building site was pushed as close to the creek as possible, allowing the rush of water to be heard and enjoyed from every room in the house.
Built as a peaceful escape from the city, the design focuses on an immersive connection with the outdoors, experienced progressively as one travels through the home. On the approach, the front of the home’s simple rectangular form is modest in scale, with knotty cedar siding blanketing the façade and offering privacy. Entering the home, an immediate descent to the lower level public space reveals expansive walls of windows with light flooding in, eliciting the feeling of being perched amongst the soaring trees.
Dramatic sliding glass doors lead to a spacious deck, seamlessly extending the living area and offering intimate glimpses of the tree canopy and creek below. The large windows allow sun to flood in, washing the room with delicate patterns of light and shadow as it passes through the trees. Despite expansive glazing, the seasonal tree coverage helps regulate solar heat gain. During the winter, sunlight pours in through the bare trunks, while the trees fill out in summer to provide shade.
The interior layout is efficient and flexible, with living spaces designed to be cozy and approachable. The living and dining rooms enjoy partial separation, while being visually and functionally connected for easy flow. Each of the three bedrooms is a suite, offering ample personal space and opportunity for future flexibility. The second floor bedrooms have space carved out for bunks, while the first floor bedroom was designed to allow secondary use as an office or media room. From the tinted white oak floors to the solid marble island, simple and natural materials help cultivate a feeling of warmth and coziness. The kitchen backsplash is a single piece of white glass, reflecting light while mirroring images of trees from the opposing window. Even from this interior vantage point, the connection to the outdoors is fiercely preserved.
Fully immersed in nature, the home delights in sensory experiences: feeling the warmth of the sun streaming through the windows, watching dazzling shadows of trees move across the living room floor, and listening to the tranquil soundtrack of gently flowing water. A counterpoint to the noise and pace of city life, Creek House quietly demands a deliberate pause to soak in the simple pleasures of nature.
