GLUCK+

Asymmetrical cross-shaped building with yellow stairs along its core, reflecting the forest in its glass.
Nighttime view of an asymmetrical cross-shaped building among trees, with the central core and horizontal volume lit up.
Looking up at the front of the asymmetrical cross-shaped building, highlighting its reflective materials.
View into the kids' bedroom through the glass façade, with children lounging.
Close-up of the yellow stairs, with thin cables running along the middle as the railing.
Kitchen hallway with wood cabinetry and a fully glazed panel looking toward the stair core.
Dining space with two seating options, with the kitchen hidden behind.
Simply decorated living room with long rectangular windows along the back, looking out onto the forest.
Outdoor wooden deck with views of the forest and the Catskill Mountains.

Tower House

A stairway to the treetops

Catskills, NY

Tower House is a stairway to the treetops that uses the reflectivity of glass to blend into the natural environment. Keeping the footprint to a minimum—so as not to disturb the wooded site—each of the first three floors has only one small bedroom and bath. The living spaces on the top floor spread out from the tower like the surrounding forest canopy, providing views of a reservoir and the Catskill mountains in the distance. A sustainable strategy reduces the heating footprint of the house in the winter and eliminates the need for air conditioning during the summer.

Houses 2,550 sf Completed in 2012 Architect-Led Design Build

Stories

Rethinking camouflage

How to raise a living room above a 40-feet-high forest canopy?
Rethinking camouflage
North to south section showing how cool air is drawn in from the North, while warm air rises as the sun heats the South.

The stack effect

Eliminating air-conditioning is possible by providing passive cooling.
The stack effect

Up in the Trees

At the top is where the house should be.
Up in the Trees

Press & Recognition

“Whimsical. Delightful. A mini-house on steroids that recalls a forest ranger’s watchtower. It shows the optimism of an architect. Keep the trees!”

—AIANY 2013 Design Awards Jury
Architectural RecordApril 16, 2013

“A chameleon-like house which changes with the seasons.”

By Joann Gonchar
Fast CompanyMay 22, 2013

A Skyscraper-Style Treehouse With Soaring Mountain Views

By Sammy Medina
WIREDAugust 1, 2013

An Amazing Glass House that Peeks Over the Forest

By Liz Stinson
CurbedMarch 21, 2023

When Architects Design Their Own Family Getaways

By Wendy Goodman

2013

Architecture Merit Award

American Institute of Architects New York

2015

International Architecture Award

The Chicago Athenaeum &

The European Centre for Architecture

2013

Design Award of Excellence

Society of American Registered Architects New York

Photographs

Asymmetrical cross-shaped building with yellow stairs along its core, reflecting the forest in its glass.
Asymmetrical cross-shaped glass building with yellow stairs along its core, surrounded by trees.
View from the ground of an asymmetrical cross-shaped building, with yellow stairs running up its core.
Nighttime view of an asymmetrical cross-shaped building among trees, with the central core and horizontal volume lit up.
Looking up at the front of the asymmetrical cross-shaped building, highlighting its reflective materials.
Taken from the bottom of the hill, the asymmetrical cross-shaped building has open windows reflecting the green of the forest.
Taken from the bottom of the hill, the windows of the asymmetrical cross-shaped building emit a warm glow.
Close-up of the metallic cladding and glass designed to camouflage the building by reflecting its surroundings.
Close-up of metallic cladding directly reflecting the nearby trees and sky.
Close-up of the window mechanisms that allow it to open and close.
Close-up of an open window beneath a canopy supported by a column in the background.
View into the kids' bedroom through the glass façade, with children lounging.
Children's room with two bunk beds and yellow bookshelves on both side walls.
Simply decorated living room with long rectangular windows along the back, looking out onto the forest.
Entrance to the building, featuring a bench and yellow stairs.
Close-up of the yellow stairs, with thin cables running along the middle as the railing.
Close-up of the connection detail between the thin cables and the yellow stairs.
Bedroom with large floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out onto the forest.
Kitchen hallway with wood cabinetry and a fully glazed panel looking toward the stair core.
C-shaped kitchen with wood cabinetry and steel appliances, opening into the living room.
Dining space with two seating options, with the kitchen hidden behind.
Small dining area in the corner, with windows overlooking the forest.
Living room with built-in fireplace and telescope along the glazed wall.
Living room and dining space with large windows, featuring a bench with storage along the windows.
Close-up of the fireplace along a glazed wall, with windows open, looking out into the trees.
Woman sitting in the living room, looking out onto the forest and the Catskill Mountains.
Large unfurnished living space, highlighting a picturesque view from large windows and a long storage bench beneath them.
Outdoor wooden deck with views of the forest and the Catskill Mountains.

Drawings

Site plan showing Tower House's location relative to Bridge House, the 1820s Farmhouse and its addition, and the Scholar's Library.
First and second floor plans of Tower House.
Third and fourth floor plans of Tower House.
East-west section of Tower House.
Massing diagram showing the progression from a 3BR/3Bath house to the Tower House. Text reads: 1 Start with a 3BR/3Bath house on grade. 2 Stack the bedrooms. 3 Stack the kitchen and baths to create a heated core. 4 Raise the living space to access the view. 5 Tilt up the hallway to become stairs. 6 Result: Tower House.
North to south section showing how cool air is drawn in from the North, while warm air rises as the sun heats the South.
Type
Houses
Size
2,550 sf
Year
2012
Scope
Ground Up
Role
Architect-Led Design Build
LocationLoc.
Rural
Tower House
Tower House