When crafting a building in the middle of nature, often it’s best to step back and underscore the beauty of its surroundings.
That was the case for architect Kyle Page, founder of Brooklyn-based architecture firm Sundial Studios, when building a family weekend getaway in the woods of Sullivan County, New York. Page seized upon the opportunity to develop a relaxing, woody retreat that involves nature while featuring simple modern design.
Photo attributed to Bjorg Magnea
All through the building process, Page relied on his local Pella Windows and Doors dealer to find doors and windows that found the right balance between nature and design. The team at Pella worked with Page to develop
custom grilles for the Architect Series
® Reserve windows placed in the cabin, as well as choosing
French doors and
windows from the Architect Series Contemporary line.
The result: A beautiful retreat that has drawn acclaim, including a feature in The New York Times real estate section.
Page shared his impressions about the process of designing his attention-getting home.
Photo attributed to Bjorg Magnea
On the rustic appeal of the building site:
“The building site is a beautiful and wild 19 acres and is just about two hours away from our Brooklyn home. The land is removed and wooded, with a pond, wetlands, old-stone pasture walls and exposed ledgestone coming down from the north and west sides. We installed an owl box in a tree about a tenth of a mile away from the house, but currently, no owl has moved in. A blue heron occasionally visits, and from time to time a bald eagle will fish the pond. The deer behave as if they own the place.”
Photo attributed to Bjorg Magnea
On integrating natural elements into the cabin’s design:
“The patinaed exterior material palette of rusted, weathering steel; blackened, rough-cut cedar; and the exposed concrete foundation plinth, which extends down toward the pond, were picked to integrate the building into its wooded surroundings. And, the windows were sized and detailed to add to the relationship between the house and the pond. The windows extend as they move toward the pond, and the south gable wall is nearly fully glazed, and includes the custom grilles, which play off the geometries of the gable form.”
Photo attributed to Bjorg Magnea
On selecting Pella products:
“I have worked with Pella before, and have always had pleasant experiences with both the quality of the product and the Pella professionals. The aluminum-clad wood windows have great durability. For this project, I went with the Architect Series because it offers a minimal style that fit very well with the design of the cabin. The thin profile and larger frames of glass look great!”
Photo attributed to Kyle Page
On working with the Pella pros to build custom window grilles:
“It was a very easy process working with the team at Pella to create the grilles the way I intended. I made drawings of the layouts, and was presented with shop drawings for review and approval, prior to their creation. It added some additional lead time to the windows—about six weeks. But the final result was worth it. The professionalism of the team left me certain that it would be exactly what I envisioned.”
Photo attributed to Bjorg Magnea
Pella windows and doors played an important role in this breathtaking architectural creation. While your new addition might not get highlighted in The New York Times, you can trust Pella to provide you home replacement windows and doors that will turn heads—thanks to their stunning design. And you’ll know that the endurance and quality of your Pella products means they’ll be part of your home for years to come.
Get started toward a distinctive home design project by contacting a Pella professional today!