Mountain Retreat

The claim that prefab results in homogenous designs is elegantly rebuffed in such projects as Resolution: 4 Architecture’s custom-designed residences. Taking full advantage of the flexibility of their systemic approach, these houses are based on a set of bar-like modules that can be joined to make H, I, L, T, and Z configurations with at least 35 variations in terms of length, depth, and height. The firm’s competition-winning Dwell House, completed in 2004 for Dwell magazine, set the stage for many other homes, including Mountain Retreat (2005), situated in the Catskill Mountains of New York. An 1,800-square-foot vacation home with two bedrooms and bathrooms, Mountain Retreat exploits its site with a wraparound deck and a series of sliding glass doors offering spectacular views of the surroundings. Resolution: 4 Architecture’s previous experience in designing lofts for clients in New York City, where they are based, led them to explore issues of efficiency and programmatic functionality that resulted in their concept of a house expressed as an arrangement of communal modules (living and dining spaces and kitchens), private modules (bedrooms and bathrooms), and accessory units (storage and decks). By bringing these elements together in ways that reflect the client’s unique needs and site conditions, they are able to leverage the benefits of factory-built construction with the advantages of a custom-designed residence.

http://www.re4a.com/modern-modular/