The Mountain Shelter House project, located in New York, USA, is an example of a successful integration of a private residence into a vast natural setting—it borders untouched pine forest on one side and is surrounded by a water reservoir on the other.

The task of the Ukrainian architectural bureau IK-architects was to design a linear layout structure that would allow for zoning of public, semi-public, and private areas within the house. The team created a single-story building with separated private and guest areas, ensuring that each zone focuses on scenic views from the windows and terrace.

In the plans, the Mountain Shelter House appears as three separate buildings; however, it is actually a cohesive, unified complex that connects these areas with a subtle, effortless flow.

The project incorporates three main sections: the first for private living (with family bedrooms), the second for shared activities (including the kitchen, dining room, living room, and entrance hall), and the third for leisure, featuring a home office with a library, a gym with a sauna, and a guest area with a game room. Various façade materials, techniques, and architectural solutions create a series of continuously enclosed spaces that transition between interior and exterior.

The central core of the project consists of a shared space—a large kitchen-living area with a fireplace that separates the dining and bar area from the leisure and relaxation zone. At the rear of the house are a cloakroom and storage niches for household items. The spacious living room opens onto an outdoor terrace with a pool, and the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows along the entire wall create an impression of an open, public space.

The right wing of the house, designed as a leisure area, houses a home library with an office, a gym, and a sauna. This wing also contains two bedrooms—a guest room and a children's guest room with a bunk bed.

The opposite, left wing of the house is entirely reserved for the private family area. This zone includes the main bedroom with a private wardrobe and bathroom, as well as two children’s bedrooms with their own bathrooms.

Mountain Shelter House is a quiet place where one can escape the loud voice of the bustling metropolis. This is why the design reflects the landscape of the existing site.

The primary building materials for finishing the house are wood and concrete. Concrete is used on the façade, while wood is used in recessed areas. The wood is left untreated, allowing it to weather unevenly according to natural influences and artistic ageing. The varied use of wood allows it to feel both heavy and light, grounding the house to the site and creating moments that encourage direct interaction with the surrounding environment.

Project of a private house Mountain Shelter House by IK-architects
Authors of the project: Kateryna Yarova
Location: New York, USA
Project name: Mountain Shelter House
Projected area: 378 m2 = 4070 sq ft