Contemporary Modernism For The Eco-Friendly LM Guest House

The LM Guest House is one of the freshest contemporary modern homes we’ve seen. Designed by Desai Chia Architecture, and with a remarkable array of consulting talent engaged in the project, this one was always destined to be great. Indeed, since its completion in 2013 it has won a whole host of awards.

Situated in Dutchess County, upstate New York, the house is unmistakeably influenced by Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House and, more specifically, Philip Johnson’s Glass House.

Modern Glass Guest House by Desai Chia - exterior

But unlike these two design classics, the LM Guest House sits on a hill, on top of a rock outcropping (and seemingly hovering just off the ground). With its windows all around, this positioning, is, of course, so as to enjoy the vast unobstructed views to the landscape (as well as the nearby trout pond and open farmland).

Besides the obvious similarities to the Glass House, the contemporary home design is also reminiscent of another contemporary home that we covered earlier this year, the Werner Sobek-designed D10 House in southern Germany.

Modern Glass Guest House by Desai Chia - living

Like the D10 house, this one really captures the exciting possibilities for introducing contemporary elements to modern style homes. In both instances, this is really well reflected in the presence of minimal detailing, and shiny white surfaces. In D10 its everywhere, but in this house its best represented in the dazzling kitchen.

These kinds of details really give away that the house was made with contemporary concerns in mind (and all the better for it). But unlike the D10, the LM Guest House goes a lot further in introducing new technical developments that ensure the home is ecologically tip top.

To name a few of the energy-saving measures, the contemporary style home uses motorized solar shades, photovoltaic panels, geothermal heating and cooling, radiant floors, and rainwater harvesting for irrigation.

Meanwhile, it has been structured around a slatted wood core, which, according to the architect, has the effect of allowing the whole house to ‘breathe’, with comfortable natural ventilation occurring throughout the house, “even in the sleeping couchettes and storage closets”.  

Modern Glass Guest House by Desai Chia - kitchenModern Glass Guest House by Desai Chia - interior

What is nice about all these environmental elements is that they have been introduced with a minimal fanfare, is showing that ecological concern does not necessarily conflict with a contemporary modernist home. Quite the opposite.

 

 

Modern Glass Guest House by Desai Chia - bedroomModern Glass Guest House by Desai Chia - bedroomModern Glass Guest House by Desai Chia - exterior night

Photos via Paul Warchol

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