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Baldwin Hill House: A Sustainable Retreat in the Berkshires
Egremont, MA – In a stunning melding of architecture and nature, New York-based BarlisWedlick Architects has designed Baldwin Hill House, a near net-zero home that perfectly captures the spirit of the Berkshires. The project began when a couple, now empty-nesters, sought a fresh start in Western Massachusetts after their children left for college. Drawn to the Berkshires’ combination of serene landscapes and vibrant cultural offerings in food and the arts, they purchased a 25-acre parcel on a hill that offers breathtaking views.
The couple enlisted the expertise of BarlisWedlick to create a home that serves as a hub for family gatherings and outdoor activities, while also accommodating their love for dogs. "Their design brief wanted a space for a large family with diverse interests," explained principal architect Alan Barlis, who led the project.
Barlis aimed to ensure the house harmonized with the rural setting, where traditional agricultural buildings are prevalent. “The design drew inspiration from local barns,” he said. “The goal was to produce a modern home that feels at home in the existing landscape.” The result is a grand yet understated structure, which fits beautifully within its surroundings, allowing nature to take center stage.
The Baldwin Hill House features steep, gabled roofs reminiscent of rural barns, and is clad in dark-stained cedar siding that helps it blend into the landscape. Barlis notes that, while the house appears modest from the outside, its interiors reveal a grand scale. "From the onset, the house seems small in scale compared to the volumes experienced from inside," he remarked.
Designed with several large windows and semi-enclosed areas, the home emphasizes a connection with the surrounding landscape. One standout feature is a three-sided screen porch that serves as a transitional space between indoor and outdoor living. This area extends from the kitchen to various outdoor spaces, including a wrap-around deck, a spa, a sheltered lawn and firepit, a lower-level dining terrace, and a pool. Collaborating with Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture, Barlis crafted stepped terraces that seamlessly transition from the home to the adjacent woods and meadows.
Inside, the house balances communal spaces with intimate nooks. It features areas where the family can gather, as well as quiet retreats for individual pursuits. The interior design incorporates natural materials like wood, stone, and metal, ensuring it aligns with the rural setting. Rustic wood columns frame the kitchen, while a striking double-height fireplace, constructed of natural stone and architectural plaster, helps delineate the open living plan.
Beyond aesthetics, Baldwin Hill House prioritizes sustainability. Drawing on BarlisWedlick’s reputation as one of the first firms in the U.S. to adopt Passive House design principles, the home incorporates a high-performing building envelope, triple-pane UPVC windows, and continuous thermal and air barriers. A solar array and electric heat pumps power the home and regulate heating and cooling, moving it towards a near net-zero performance.
“The home is humble but grand at the same time,” Barlis commented. “The design balances aesthetics with sustainability, reflecting our philosophy of integrating high design with high performance.”
This luxurious yet environmentally friendly retreat demonstrates how modern architecture can embrace sustainability while respecting the natural environment. Baldwin Hill House stands as a testament to thoughtful design and the potential for harmony between built space and the beauty of the Berkshires.
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