Daniel Markiewicz on House on a Hill
For “Fieldwork,” architects and other leading practitioners on the faculty revisit a recent project.
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What was the biggest design challenge and how did you solve it?
The biggest challenge was developing the exterior expression of the house. We knew we had to capitalize on the east-looking views towards a nearby pond by raising the level of the living room to the second floor, which effectively meant lifting the whole building off the ground. Studying this single project ambition led us to develop the angled “legs” of the house, which in turn guided the window placement and shape, as well as the interior fireplace, seating, and kitchen design. This one gesture became the design language that permeated the entire project.
How does the project fit in with your firm's portfolio?
This house is a foundational project in FORMA’s portfolio, representing our first opportunity to realize a ground-up building of our own design. As a young firm, finding the opportunity to build ground-up can be challenging. After missing out on a client project in the same area of upstate New York, we decided to take matters into our own hands, pool our money, and take out a construction loan to fund the development of the house that now stands. The project showcases our design interests and planning efficiency by fitting a three-bedroom, three-bath house into a 1,500 SF building which sits on a very compact footprint.
What lessons would you want your students to take away from it?
Never give up. The project took five years despite its modest scale. We spent three years coming to terms with the post-pandemic effects on construction costs and availability of upstate contractors. I personally spoke to thirty-five separate contractors before finding one who was available, interested, and could build the project within our budget. As a result, during that time, we designed three completely different houses, all the way through construction documents, and took two through permitting. Once we were finally under construction, there was no shortage of challenges we had to overcome. There was immense pressure, as this was a self-funded speculative house as well as a key project for our portfolio. Every construction delay meant more construction loan interest payments, and every design decision needed to satisfy our own standards as well as that of the unknown future buyer. But when all was said and done, we could not have been more pleased with how the project turned out. After selling it at the end of last year, we are now hard at work on the next one."
Project title: House on a Hill
Client: FORMA (Speculative Development Project)
Location: Copake, NY
Completion Date: Summer 2025
Conceived during the pandemic—a moment of global pause and reflection—House on a Hill explores compact living as a means to reconnect with nature and rethink domestic space. Set within a wooded, nine-acre site in Upstate New York, the house prioritizes views, daylight, and the immersive qualities of its setting.
The sculptural black cube rests at the crest of a gentle hill, its dark cedar cladding and black metal detailing contrasting with a warm, textured interior. Three ensuite bedrooms provide flexibility for a range of living arrangements, while efficient planning and vertical stacking minimize the building's footprint.
A double-height living space on the second floor captures daylight through expansive eight-foot windows. At its heart, a fireplace embedded into custom millwork connects the kitchen, dining, and living areas, opening toward views of a nearby pond. Bold yet grounded, the house offers a quiet retreat immersed in its natural context.
(Photo: Devon Banks)
