Papillon is the name for this new residence, chosen by the owners to represent a metamorphosis in their lives. Situated on a hill overlooking the Hudson Valley in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, the project is designed as a quiet respite from the frenetic pace of their careers. Unlike their previous homes, the house embraces nature, providing opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding woods and river views. The house emphasizes horizontal lines and informal living, evoking a sense of serenity and calm.  

To create this environment, the new 3,200 square foot structure is designed with  organic sensibilities: natural features of the site are highlighted, rectilinear shapes of the building are broken by staggered and skewed elements, indoor-outdoor relationships are formed. Originally a sheer gneiss cliff steeply sloping westward and southward, the site was transformed into a series of terraces using the 200 cubic yards of rock carved from the site. The building is broken into components that gradually step down the slope to conform with the shape of the remaining rock ledge. Outdoor spaces are designed as an integral part of the architecture, consisting of the rock garden, the herb garden and front terrace, the flower garden, the perennial garden, the lower evergreen garden, the back yard terrace and garden, and the lower back yard “secret garden” that winds along a seasonal stream. Plants occupy both sides of the glass wall of the two-story foyer, forming an indoor-outdoor garden. The blue-grey stone floor set in a brick pattern flows between the interior of this space and the front terrace. Curvilinear stone walls bordering the terrace protect a large pre-existing oak tree and wind around eight inch solid cedar columns. Cedar trellis members - surrounded by wisteria, honeysuckle, and bleeding heart - are staggered in plan and elevation along the eastern façade to create shadows and dappled light when lit by the morning sun. Whenever possible, stepped and irregular shapes of the structure are juxtaposed with curved terraces and gardens, to make a subtle transition from structure to landscaping and hardscaping to the natural environment.

The house has a linear configuration so that most rooms have windows and doors along the western wall facing the Hudson River. Although one bedroom faces east, it has a balcony to take in views of the surrounding rock outcroppings and woods. North-south vistas running through the house are created by aligning openings at the living area, dining area, kitchen, and library. The twelve-foot high rock outcropping just outside the north wall of the library can be seen sixty feet away in the living room. In the dining room, views of the property can be seen in all directions. 

In keeping with the open and flowing space of the home’s design, the main staircase is constructed of floating oak treads and steel cable. The stair leads to the upper level of the indoor-outdoor garden, and a display space for the owners’ art collection. At the uppermost level of the house is the master bedroom, designed with south and west facing balconies to take in sweeping views looking down the river and over the wooded hills which obscure all other neighboring buildings. No shade devices are used in the house, except for one opaque glass screen to give privacy at the southwest corner of the master bedroom. Operable windows take advantage of  favorable hilltop breezes with the aid of copper and teak ceiling fans, avoiding the need for air conditioning. 

A palette of natural wood, stone, and variations of earth-tone colors bring the colors of woods into the house. Amber shellac and four formulas of stain colors were applied to the woodwork to give a common golden tone to the oak, fir, birch and pine species of wood used in the house. Honed blue limestone and slate are countertop materials in the kitchen and baths. Paint colors chosen for wall and ceiling surfaces, such as sage green, ochre, and muslin, harmonize with the natural wood and stone, and continue the theme of materials that evoke a sense of harmony with nature.