bohlin cywinski jackson's forest house — the firm's first to receive widespread praise

pennsylvania-based architectural practice bohlin cywinski jackson is known for its innovative designs. having received numerous national and international awards, some of the studio’s most recognized projects include the acclaimed apple store in new york and bill gate’s residential complex near seattle.  with an approach that takes into consideration both place and people, and a very precise palette of natural materials, we present forest house, a summer home built in 1975 and their first to receive widespread praise.

images by m. thomas arch. photo, courtesy of bohlin cywinski jackson

located deep in the woods of west cornwall, connecticut, forest house by bohlin cywinski jackson is the tacful and attentive result of an insightful plan opening to the heavily wooded site. standing in affinity with the environment, the house celebrates the location, its context, ecological sensitivity and innovative use of materials. the small summer home has been carefully situated at the strategic position between dark evergreens and bright deciduous woodland and as darkness shifts to light, ever-changing patterns of light and shadow flood the interiors as well as the outside. — 

camouflaged among the trees, the green-stained wood home rests on concrete poles placed along a rock-strewn landscape. a direct connection with its surroundings has been created by anchoring the house to a large granite boulder which guides the design of the house. from the outside, visitors can get a glimpse of the interiors through a massive red industrial window, the same that becomes the screen to the forest.

‘…as well-conceived as one could imagine… tall and grand yet comfortably proportioned, it is rich in light and open to its glorious setting…’ comments paul goldberger on the new york times magazine. ‘the entrance sequence is superbly controlled. the visitor walks along the bridge, down a few steps to an enclosed breezeway within the mass of the house… ahead is a glimpse of the two-story main living area, with the forest view beckoning through the huge industrial window.’

project info:

name: forest house
architects: bohlin cywinski jackson
location: west cornwall, connecticut
dates: 1973-1975
size: 1,880 square feet (174.66 m²)