Authored by Christopher Cooke
Architecture Country House Horses.
Nestled on a secluded private lane in the heart of horse country, this house stands as a contemporary homage to the historical roots of its site. The land, once home to centuries-old family farms, is now reimagined as a stately manor house surrounded by thoughtfully designed outbuildings. The client’s vision was clear: to create a new manor house that would respect the footprints of the original farm structures, long since fallen into disrepair.
The main house, designed by PPA, is a classical stone manor with a modern sensibility. Its slender floor plan allows for sweeping views of the landscape to both the east and west. While the exterior carries the gravitas of classical architecture, it avoids excess ornamentation, favoring simplicity and restraint.
Fully developed classical details appear sparingly—most notably in the entryway—lending a sense of understated elegance.
The outbuildings, which include a guest house, staff cottage, garage, pool house, and barn, contrast with the main house in both form and material. Designed in a vernacular style using wood and board-and-batten construction, they exude a rustic charm. A touch of formality connects the guest cottage to the manor: its doorframe, originally part of a Colonial Revival exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York (also designed by PPA), was repurposed for this project, linking past and present in a tangible way.
Inside the main house, the ample proportions of the rooms provided an ideal canvas for a bold approach to classical interiors. Moldings and paneling take inspiration from traditional forms but evolve into a more exuberant and richly detailed style, imbuing the spaces with warmth and character.
The surrounding landscape, envisioned by Miranda Brooks, completes the harmonious design. A large walled garden anchors the site, connecting the architecture to its natural surroundings and echoing the enduring beauty of English estate traditions.
This project is a masterful blend of historical reverence and contemporary design, where every element—from the architecture to the landscape—tells a story of renewal and timeless elegance.
Architecture: Peter Pennoyer
Landscape Design: Miranda Brooks Landscape Design
Photography: Eric Piasecki
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