Built for a couple of poets, this Syracuse, N.Y. retreat adds a more suburban locale to the long list of thought-provoking, Walden-esque writer's hideaways of the world. The so-called Haffenden House was designed by architect Jon Lott—of the Brooklyn-based practice PARA-project—and modeled after Gianni Pettena's 1972 Ice House. Narrow as it is, the 1,125 square-foot building makes room for a garage on the bottom floor, and opens up to lust-worthy library and writing space above—with a tranquil little reading room (and hot tub!) at the very top.
Save for the massive collection of books, the house has a decidedly minimalist feel, with bare white walls and almost no furnishing to speak of. A swooping, "bowl-shaped division" drops down from the ceiling at the very top of the structure to provide a source of light, as do small windows that line both sides of the space. Design Boom has more photos, this way.
· PARA-project inserts haffenden house between two suburban homes [Design Boom]
· Eight Walden-Chic Havens for High-Grade Philosophizing [Curbed National]
· Make This Ark-Like Floating Writer's Retreat Yours for $550K [Curbed National]