This Modern House In Connecticut Is Completely Surrounded By Trees

October 13, 2020
A modern black house with a black roof and Shou Sugi Ban exterior siding.

Desai Chia Architecture has designed the ‘Ledge House’, a modern house surrounded by trees that’s located in Cornwall, Connecticut.

The new house replaces an old cottage and is positioned on a challenging site with a large rock ledge.

A modern black house with a black roof and Shou Sugi Ban exterior siding, that's surrounded by trees.

The form of the house was inspired by barns of the area as well as the nearby historic West Cornwall Covered Bridge.

A modern black house with burnt wood siding that's surrounded by trees.

The exterior of the house is clad in Shou Sugi Ban siding which offers a rot-resistant and bug-resistant finish.

A modern black house with Shou Sugi Ban exterior siding.

Upon arrival at the house, there’s a rock garden that connects the house with the forest.

A modern house with a minimalist rock garden.

Inside, the living room, dining room, and kitchen form a great room, with glass walls and sliding doors located on each side of the space.

A modern house interior with a great room that includes the living room, a concrete fireplace, the dining room, and a white kitchen.

A see-through fireplace and concrete surround separates the living room from the dining room and kitchen.

A modern house interior with a see-through fireplace with a concrete surround.

The white walls complement the white minimalist cabinets of the kitchen and the long island, while black accents create a contrasting element.

A modern house interior with a see-through fireplace, a minimalist white kitchen, and black accents.

Off the living room, dining room, and kitchen, there’s a large deck with multiple levels that provide an uninterrupted view of the trees and landscape.

A modern house deck with multiple levels.

Back inside, the minimalist master bedroom has plain white walls, a sloped ceiling, and black-framed windows. The wood bed frame, side tables, and armchair bring a touch of nature inside.

A minimalist master bedroom with a sloped ceiling, white walls, a large rug, and modern wood furniture.

In the master bathroom, there’s a wood soaking tub and hidden lighting behind the mirror above the double-sink floating vanity.

A modern master bathroom with a wood soaking tub, a backlit mirror, a double-sink floating vanity, and a sloped ceiling.

Behind the wall of the vanity, there’s a shower that’s covered in floor-to-ceiling grey penny tiles. There’s also a shower niche for storing bottles and soaps, and a linear shower drain.

A modern shower with floor-to-ceiling grey penny tiles, a linear shower drain, and a built-in shelf.

The house also has a guest bedroom that’s been furnished with two beds, a chair, a rug, and a single pendant light hanging from the ceiling.

A minimalist guest bedroom with two beds, a modern black chair, white walls, and a single pendant light.

In a second bathroom, the same grey penny tiles cover the walls and floor as the master bathroom, however this time, a glass shower screen separates the shower from the vanity area.

A modern bathroom with floor-to-ceiling grey penny tiles, a glass shower screen, a backlit mirror, and a floating vanity.

Here’s a look at the floor plan that shows how the master suite is located at one end of the house, and the other bedrooms are at the opposite end.

The floor plan for a modern single story house with three bedrooms.
Photography by Paul Warchol | Architect: Desai Chia Architecture – Katherine Chia, FAIA, and Arjun Desai AIA | Structural Consultant: David Kufferman, P.E. | Civil Consultant: Arthur H. Howland & Associates, P.C. | Contractor: Classic Renovations