In order to heighten how it relates to its surroundings, the architects took a simple house to the extreme.  One end of this stretched, elongated house is anchored into the hill, while the other floats over marshy wetlands.  When it rains, the water literally runs under the house: next to the entry footbridge, a boulder strewn rain garden cascades underneath the house to the meadow beyond.

© Michael Moran

Architects: O?Neill Rose Architects

Location: Sheffield, MA, USA

Architect In Charge: Devin O?Neill

Area: 3000.0 ft2

Project Year: 2016

Photographs: Michael Moran

Structural Engineer: Ross Dalland
Mep Engineer: D?Antonio Consulting Engineers

© Michael Moran

In order to heighten how it relates to its surroundings, the architects took a simple house to the extreme.  One end of this stretched, elongated house is anchored into the hill, while the other floats over marshy wetlands.  When it rains, the water literally runs under the house: next to the entry footbridge, a boulder strewn rain garden cascades underneath the house to the meadow beyond.

© Michael Moran

Built for a nature loving couple who is retiring to the countryside, the house integrates ?aging in place? into its design.  The house is all on one level, sited...