A modern wooden building with large ramps and stairs sits among autumn trees with orange leaves on the Wingdale estate. Red Adirondack chairs are placed on the left. The sky is clear and blue, and the ground is covered with fallen leaves and gravel.

estate in wingdale

As their second project for the same client, and over the course of a decade, Anik Pearson Architect developed a master plan for a new family compound on a largely untouched 68-acre wooded parcel in Upstate NY. The property, easily accessible from NYC via mass transit, is perched over the Pawling Nature Reserve and within a stone’s throw of the Appalachian Trail. The program, to be developed over the long term, comprises of a main house, guest house, dance studio, and caretaker’s house, all linked by walking trails. The client, a patron of the Arts, set Anik Pearson Architect free to channel their inner originality on the aesthetic style of the buildings; his only requests were for a maximum connection to nature and to the outdoors, low maintenance and the artful framing of views of the pristine landscape. In the planning phase, the client was guided by the firm to make decisions aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of the development, with the intent to ensure optimal building performance, energy efficiency, and minimal topographic disturbance.

The completed main house, nestled between a young oak forest, moss-covered boulders, and a grove of ancient hemlocks, was inspired by log stacks and wooden ramps in the spirit of the mining structures of the client’s native Pacific Northwest. Positioning and detailing of ventilated facades, generous slide-fold doors and bands of casement windows frame views while capturing cooling breezes in the summer, rendering air conditioning obsolete. Resilient exterior materials of untreated cedar siding, Rheinzink roofs and galvanized fixtures not only age gracefully, but require very little effort and energy to maintain. All landscaping was designed with native plants that require no irrigation or mowing. Water conservation, absorption, and recapturing are facilitated by low-flow fixtures, a green roof and stormwater collection.

On the interior, details were developed from the simplicity of Shaker architecture as well as the whitewashed color palette found in traditional Scandinavian houses. Space is compact but flowing, open to expansive screened dining porch and sleeping porches for enjoyment by multiple generations of family.

A modern wooden house with large stairs sits atop a rocky hill, surrounded by trees with green and yellow leaves. Large gray boulders with scattered orange leaves dominate the foreground under an overcast sky.
Modern building facade with vertical and horizontal wooden slats on the upper levels and a gray concrete base; large windows reflect trees and sky, while orange light glows from interior windows on the ground floor.
Modern three-story house with wood siding and large windows, elevated on a concrete foundation, sits on a sloped hill surrounded by autumn trees under a clear blue sky. The house features open balconies with wooden railings.
A detailed pencil sketch shows a modern, geometric building on stilts, set against a faintly drawn hilly landscape. Sharp lines emphasize the structures angular features, while trees and terrain are softly rendered in the background.
A pencil sketch shows a modern, rectangular house with large windows on a slope, surrounded by trees and rocky terrain. The background and some foreground details are unfinished, with visible construction lines and light shading throughout the scene.
Bright living room with green armchairs, ottoman, geometric rug, built-in shelves, blue tile fireplace, wall-mounted TV, and round ceiling lights. Large windows in the back reveal a dining area with views of trees and natural light.
A wooden porch dining area with a long table set for six, colorful plates and glassware, orange pitchers, a white vintage cabinet with a clock, wood-paneled walls and ceiling, and large windows showing trees outside.
Spacious kitchen with light wood cabinets, a center island, tan tile floors, patterned yellow backsplash, large windows, and a blue-framed glass range hood above the stove. An open doorway leads to an adjacent room with shelving.
A hallway with wood floors features an open red door revealing an empty walk-in closet with shelves and hanging rods. More red doors and a radiator are visible, and sunlight streams from a window at the hallways far end.
A modern bedroom with white bedding opens onto a sunlit wooden deck. The room has light walls, a large window, a red lamp, and a hanging white light fixture. The deck features warm wood paneling and overlooks trees and autumn foliage.
Modern bathroom with a white freestanding tub on wooden blocks, large windows with outdoor views, glass-enclosed shower with tiled floor, wood flooring, and a wooden vanity to the left. Natural light fills the space.
A modern bedroom features a wooden nightstand with two drawers, a small plant in a gray pot, a red desk lamp, and a book. Next to it is a neatly made bed with white linens and a red-striped blanket. The wall and floor are neutral-colored.
A wooden nightstand sits between two twin beds with striped bedding. On the nightstand are a bright yellow lamp, two tiny potted plants, and small animal figurines. A patterned rug in blue and beige is partially visible on the floor.
A wooden rocking chair sits on a covered porch with warm-toned wood walls, railings, and floors. Three ceiling lights glow above, and lush green trees are visible through open spaces along the porchs side.
View looking up inside a tall, wooden tower structure, showing intersecting beams and slats in warm, honey-colored wood. At the top center, theres a round metal ceiling fan, surrounded by the geometric wood patterns. Bright light filters in.
Modern wood and concrete house with large windows sits on a leafy hillside, surrounded by autumn trees with orange leaves. The angle is from below, looking up at the structure against a clear blue sky. Thin tree branches partially obscure the view.
An old, yellowed topographic map shows a hilly area with contour lines, a compass rose, three small structures, paths, and a creek. A legend at the bottom left identifies features like woods, orchards, and cultivated land.

estate in wingdale

  • Architecture and Interior Design by Anik Pearson
  • Landscape architecture by Reed Hilderbrand LLC
  • Photography by Philippe Cheng
  • Featured in Interior Design Magazine, Inhabitat, 6sqft and Upstate House