Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025

A Secluded, Industrial-Style Home in the Berkshires

A Secluded, Industrial-Style Home in the Berkshires

Salvaged wood interiors flesh out a skeleton of concrete, glass, and steel in the Mohawk Trail State Forest.


The property, located in the small town of Florida, is part of the protected Mohawk Trail State Forest. "A goal was to move from one spectacular setting in the Berkshires to one that was under less development pressure," explain the owners, who previously lived in an A-frame home designed by two Frank Lloyd Wright acolytes.



Bright yellow trim lining the floor-to-ceiling windows on the lower level pops against the exterior blend of concrete, steel, and glass.

Yet, it was the inviting community that sealed the deal. "Discovering the people and community of Florida became the core of our decision to move here," the owners continue. "No one conformed to a stereotypic image. Young and old seemed to not only respect, but also actually like, each other."



Glass wraps around three sides of the primary living room, which the owners call their sunroom, framing captivating views of the surrounding forest and meadows.

After acquiring the lot, the couple quickly got to work on crafting their dream home, which resulted in a multilevel retreat of concrete, steel, and glass. "Working with concrete and steel was not our first idea, but it became the idea that set us free," they say. "We wanted to display these materials as a visible center for the design, where the bones of the structure had a voice."

It was a young, energetic structural designer who "made the impossible possible" by designing "two unthinkable spans of bridge iron." This enabled generous, open interiors and broad windows and accentuated the steel-and-concrete form.



A more intimate seating area is nestled near the wooden staircase that leads to the office.

To balance the more industrial elements, the couple incorporated handcrafted woodwork salvaged from their previous property, where a devastating storm brought down a total of 50 hardwood trees. "Something at the time told us to harvest the wood, rough-saw it, and begin the process of slow curing," they say. "Now, more than 10 years later, these trees have become beautifully bright, patterned paneling throughout the new house."



Handcrafted shelving units lining the office offer plentiful storage for books and memorabilia.

In addition to modern comforts, such as radiant floor heating, the 4,076-square-foot dwelling also features custom details: The owners contracted a European furniture maker to craft ceiling-height doors, tilt-and-turn windows, and built-in cabinetry.



The kitchen features a large island and L-shaped banquette. Concrete floors and steel beams complement the handcrafted millwork cladding the walls.

The kitchen is also personalized, divided into two sections: a prep room and a cooking/serving area with a large island and L-shaped banquette. The idea was to separate guests from the back, which "serves as a hidden, but very stylish, scullery for cleanup and supplies," say the owners.



The kitchen scullery radiates industrial vibes, featuring exposed piping and stainless steel cabinetry.

The principal suite occupies the entire upper floor and has a separate entrance from the outside. Also on the property is a renovated guesthouse dating back to the 1930s, where the couple stayed while building the main residence. "All around the house, whether it be inside or out, there is an appealing place to enjoy the light," note the owners.



An underground, naturally cooled room for wine and beer is connected to the kitchen scullery.



A covered outdoor eating area, located off the kitchen, overlooks the forested lot.



The various flat roofs that cap the home also serve as spacious decks.



Another view of the exterior, which highlights the unique unfolding of the home.



A peek at the detached guesthouse, which the owners completely renovated to make it more consistent in style with the main home. The small yet fully equipped space comes with two bedrooms, as well as a living area, kitchen, and bath.



An aerial view of the property, showcasing the main residence, the guesthouse, and a work barn which could also be used as a studio.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
UAE Offers Free ChatGPT Plus Subscriptions to Citizens
Lebanon Initiates Plan to Disarm Palestinian Factions
Iran and U.S. Make Limited Progress in Nuclear Talks
The Daily Debate: The Fall of the Dollar — Strategic Reset or Economic Self-Destruction?
Trump Administration's Tariff Policies and Dollar Strategy Spark Global Economic Debate
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Startup for $6.5 Billion to Build a Revolutionary “Third Core Device”
Turkey Weighs Citizens in Public as Erdoğan Launches National Slimming Campaign
Saudi-Spanish Business Forum Commences in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia and Spain Sign MoU to Boost SME Sectors
UK Suspends Trade Talks with Israel Amid Gaza Offensive
Iran and U.S. Set for Fifth Round of Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Russia Expands Military Presence Near Finland Amid Rising Tensions
Indian Scholar Arrested in Crackdown Over Pakistan Conflict Commentary
Israel Eases Gaza Blockade Amid Internal Dispute Over Military Strategy
President Biden’s announcement of advanced prostate cancer sparked public sympathy—but behind closed doors, Democrats are in panic
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
Indian jet shootdown: the all-robot legion behind China’s PL-15E missiles
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
Trump takes a blow torch to the neocons and interventionists while speaking to the Saudis
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Elon Musk Joins Trump Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept gift of Qatari plane
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
Michael Jordan to Serve as Analyst for NBA Games
×