Floating Farm House

Overview

This project involved a redesign of a burned-out bunkhouse for a family in Bethel, New York, which sat near a main farmhouse and a barn space. Our clients intended on the new bunkhouse serving as a private space for their kids to entertain and to house overnight guests. The main challenge here was permitting the project as a renovation, as the existing unit was grandfathered in and couldn’t be rebuilt from the ground up.

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Size

900 Sq Ft

Usage

Investment Property

Lot Size

3 Acres

Land Type

Meadow

Site Plan

Key Features

01Bunkhouse Floorplan

The ADU features a small kitchenette for convenience, but its primary focus includes the two bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom. This called for a unique floor plan that suited the clients’ exact needs rather than a more universal design.

02Vernacular Styling

Since the ADU will replace an existing bunkhouse and sit near the main home and a flexible barn space, we had to create an exterior that looked like it fit with the rest of the property. We went with white clapboard siding and a white metal roof to make the new unit feel like it belonged.

03Working Within Constraints

Since the owners couldn’t build a new ADU from the ground up due to permitting constraints, we had to work within the existing building footprint and make sure the new unit worked seamlessly with the existing septic and utilities. This allowed us to classify the project as a renovation, making it legal.

Floor Plans & Elevations

Ground Floor Plan

Axonometric View

Exploded Axonometric View

Elevation Drawing

Interiors

The interiors of Floating Farmhouse feature natural stone, dark walnut wood, and brass hardware accents that are rich and luxurious. These choices create almost an upscale hotel experience, but they’re also extremely durable and can stand up to the heavy use the clients expect the space to see from their kids and their college friends.