Set in the lush landscapes of Cornwall, Vermont, this house stands as a striking blend of modern architecture and natural beauty. Designed by Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design and constructed by Red House Building, this residence melds with its environment, drawing inspiration from the surrounding woodlands and vistas of the Adirondack Mountains.
A home tailored for modern living
After relocating from Boston, Nathan and Seth, along with their dog Milo, sought a home fostering both remote work and relaxation. The residence achieves this through a balance of grand communal areas and private corners, all wrapped in the distinctive, dark facade of Nakamoto Forestry’s Gendai yakisugi. Inside, however, the atmosphere shifts to incorporate light wood tones and abundant natural light.
Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.
Designing with the hillside
The design of this fabulous property responds intricately to the landscape. Rather than imposing on the hillside, the structure moves with it—irregular, offset volumes cater to the slope, canopy, and views. This configuration results in varied ceiling heights and a journey through diverse spaces, from intimate nooks to soaring interiors.
Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.
Embracing nature with yakisugi
The use of yakisugi—a charred Japanese cedar—enhances the home’s connection to its wooded surroundings. This material, known for its durability and resistance, simultaneously adds a bark-like texture that will develop a unique patina over time. It was a deliberate selection by both the architect and homeowners, combining aesthetic vision with practical maintenance.
Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.
Welcoming yet dramatic entrances
Upon entering, the transition from the dark exterior to a bright, welcoming interior is unmistakable. The palette warms with natural wood accents and sunlight, setting a serene tone. A comfortable built-in couch greets visitors as they walk in, adding a cozy and practical element.
Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.
Living spaces open to nature
Inside, the house’s heart lies in the kitchen and dining areas, where high ceilings enhance the sense of openness. Light pours in through expansive windows, connecting the interior with the surrounding forest. The contrast with the exterior’s dark cladding highlights the inviting light wood finishes that define this unique home.
Discover the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, where irregular architectural volumes and dark Gendai® yakisugi siding give this hillside home a bark-like appearance among the trees.
A cascading journey through spaces
The stairs guide you through the unique levels of the home, each revealing shifts in spatial scale due to the home’s responsive design. From compressed, cozy areas to airy, open rooms, this movement enriches the living experience, navigating the natural terrain effortlessly.
The entryway begins the transition from the dark exterior into the lighter interior. The material palette becomes brighter as you move inside, with natural wood and daylight replacing the deep tones of the charred cedar outside. Just of the entrance, a built-in couch adds a cozy and practical element.
Intimate retreats within the home
Beyond the social areas, the primary bedroom offers a personal refuge. Here, the same light materials and natural scenery create a peaceful environment. a reading corner with a built-in bookshelf and a window provides the perfect spot for relaxation.
The entryway begins the transition from the dark exterior into the lighter interior. The material palette becomes brighter as you move inside, with natural wood and daylight replacing the deep tones of the charred cedar outside. Just of the entrance, a built-in couch adds a cozy and practical element.
Bathrooms with distinct characters
The primary bathroom invites tranquility with an oak vanity, a freestanding tub by a large window, and a contrastive dark floor. Meanwhile, the guest bathroom opts for a darker aesthetic, featuring slate-look tiles and a frameless glass shower that maintains an open feeling despite the deeper tones.
Explore the dining and kitchen spaces of this Vermont hillside home, featuring lofty ceilings, lighter wood finishes, natural light and views through the surrounding trees.
Outbuildings in sync with nature
A small sauna, clad in the same yakisugi siding, rests further along the property, echoing the main house’s architecture. Together with a matching garden shed, these structures complete a cohesive design that respects and enhances its natural setting.
Explore the dining and kitchen spaces of this Vermont hillside home, featuring lofty ceilings, lighter wood finishes, natural light and views through the surrounding trees.
Blending with the land
Architectural drawings reveal how the structure masterfully follows the land’s contours, using its form to enhance both function and aesthetic. By aligning with the slope and canopy, it delivers varied experiences in height and space, fully responsive to the environment.
Explore the dining and kitchen spaces of this Vermont hillside home, featuring lofty ceilings, lighter wood finishes, natural light and views through the surrounding trees.
Photography by Ryan Bent Photography | Drawings by Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design
See inside the soaring living room of the Milo House, where cathedral-like ceilings, natural light, pale wood and views toward the Adirondacks create an airy interior.
For another stunning example of architecture aligning with natural surroundings, explore the revival of ancient techniques in architecture that highlights similar themes of harmony with nature.
See inside the soaring living room of the Milo House, where cathedral-like ceilings, natural light, pale wood and views toward the Adirondacks create an airy interior.
Explore another residence where design meets nature in the enchanting Casa de los Milagros, which similarly blends with its environment.
Follow the stairs through this Vermont hillside home, where changing levels, offset volumes and shifting ceiling heights make moving between floors part of the architectural experience.
This primary bedroom moves away from the scale of the main gathering spaces, offering a more intimate interior within the larger house. Lighter wood and natural light continue the material palette used throughout the residence. A nook within the bedroom has been transformed into a reading corner with a built-in bookshelf and a window.
This primary bedroom moves away from the scale of the main gathering spaces, offering a more intimate interior within the larger house. Lighter wood and natural light continue the material palette used throughout the residence. A nook within the bedroom has been transformed into a reading corner with a built-in bookshelf and a window.
This primary bedroom moves away from the scale of the main gathering spaces, offering a more intimate interior within the larger house. Lighter wood and natural light continue the material palette used throughout the residence. A nook within the bedroom has been transformed into a reading corner with a built-in bookshelf and a window.
The primary bathroom is bright and pared back, with a freestanding white bathtub positioned beside a large window looking into the trees. White walls and fixtures keep the room feeling fresh and open, while the dark floor adds contrast, and a oak vanity runs along one wall beneath a large mirror.
The primary bathroom is bright and pared back, with a freestanding white bathtub positioned beside a large window looking into the trees. White walls and fixtures keep the room feeling fresh and open, while the dark floor adds contrast, and a oak vanity runs along one wall beneath a large mirror.
The guest bathroom takes a darker approach, with grey slate-look tiles covering the shower walls and floor. The large-format tiles give the space a consistent material palette, while the varied surface markings add texture across the walls.
See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.
See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.
See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.
See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.
See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.
See the detached sauna at the Milo House in Cornwall, Vermont, clad in the same dark yakisugi siding as the main residence and garden shed.
Explore the architectural drawings for the Milo House and see how its irregular volumes respond to the Vermont hillside, tree canopy and views toward the Adirondacks.
Explore the architectural drawings for the Milo House and see how its irregular volumes respond to the Vermont hillside, tree canopy and views toward the Adirondacks.
The house was designed by Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design and constructed by Red House Building.
How does the home integrate with the hillside?
The design of the property responds intricately to the landscape by moving with the hillside through irregular, offset volumes that cater to the slope, canopy, and views.
What material is used for the home’s exterior?
The home’s exterior features the distinctive dark facade of Nakamoto Forestry’s Gendai yakisugi, a charred Japanese cedar.
