Project: Litchfield HILL House
Architecture: Joeb Moore & Partners
Landscape: Reed Hilderbrand Landscape Architecture
Landscape Sculpture: Studio Alicja Kwade
Location: Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States
Year: 2021
Photo Credits: David Sundberg
The Litchfield Hill House by Joeb Moore & Partners, located in Litchfield County, takes full advantage of its naturally terraced site. Shielded from the country drive by a grove of mature trees, the house nestles into the landscape between a ledge outcropping, a historic hickory grove, and a sloping meadow, allowing for panoramic views across both woodland and meadow.
Thoughtfully Positioned Structures
The design features four gabled building forms that settle naturally into the rock outcrop, situated between the upper wooded entry drive and the rolling meadow below. The careful positioning of these structures within the landscape creates a series of indoor and outdoor rooms, allowing the architecture to respond harmoniously to both site conditions and functional needs. At the heart of the design, a central gallery—or “break”—separates active and passive spaces, serving as a meditative room and a gallery for the owner’s art collection. This gallery also directs views toward both the meadow and the exposed rock ledge at the entry, where a green roofscape mirrors the surrounding groundscape.
Integration with Nature
Each of the four building forms not only connects to the central gallery but also engages with the natural surroundings beyond the building’s walls. Meanwhile, a fifth structure, housing the garage and studio, extends toward the eastern edge of the property, framing a private entry court that offers an intimate arrival experience.
Inspired by Farmhouse Geometry
Rooted in the site’s farmland history, Litchfield Hill House’s architecture draws on familiar gabled forms that echo the region’s rural vernacular. Clad entirely in treated wood, the structures are designed to weather over time, allowing them to gradually recede into the landscape. This choice of materials and form enhances the house’s connection to the land, honoring both its history and its natural surroundings.
Through its thoughtful design and material choices, Litchfield Hill House exemplifies an architecture that harmonizes with the landscape, offering both panoramic views and intimate spaces that engage fully with the site’s rich natural features.
