East Miller Country Project
Ithaca, N.Y.
Tucked away in the woods, this home was designed to feel like a tree house. All the living space is up on the second floor with a four bay garage and office underneath. From every room in the house, you can look though the tree tops and admire nature as it passes by your window. The interior is simple yet elegant with cherry flooring, window and door trim and tray ceilings in the bedrooms. Large bay windows help bring natural light in. The large second-floor decks allow occupants to step out of the cozy interior and enjoy the birds, squirrels and deer. Ferns and other native plants line the long driveway. The home is set amidst natural landscaping which requires minimal maintenance and provides a natural habitat for local species.
The exterior is clad in locally milled rough-sawn spruce finished with a natural stain, while the roof is protected with green aluminum roofing to help shed snow during the long Ithaca winters. The brown siding and green roof are reminiscent of the trees that surround the home, and allow the home to almost blend into the surrounding woods. Energy efficient radiant floor heating and high quality insulation keep this home warm in the winter while natural ventilation keep it cool in the summer. Due to its location and positioning no additional cooling was required to keep the home at a comfortable temperature. This project’s focus was to provide comfortable living, while maintaining the connection with the natural setting. From location, to design, to material and finishing choices, the result was a simple, elegant home that invites nature in and its occupants out.