Architecture is the heart of HV Contemporary Homes. As the brainchild of an architect, Hudson Valley Contemporary Homes prides itself on making quality design and craftsmanship the number one priority in all of our homes. We believe it is this focus on architecture that makes our communities unique. Our team of skilled builders works in collaboration with our architect to create custom homes with character and integrity. We are not your typical housing development:
think of it as craft development
In today’s post we’re taking a closer look at our architecture team, Studio MM, and the inspiration behind their designs.
Studio MM: Modern Residential Architecture, NYC + Hudson Valley, NY
Marica McKeel, AIA is not only the founder and creative mind behind HV Contemporary Homes, she is also the principal architect at Studio MM, the design team behind our homes. Studio MM focuses on modern residential architecture and designs custom contemporary homes. Marica’s versatile design experience, excellent taste for contemporary design, and desire to craft “homes not just houses” for her clients, are the driving forces behind Studio MM. Rounded out by a team of talented dreamers, skilled designers, creative thinkers and inspiring architects perfecting their trade, Studio MM is truly a unique environment.
Crafting Homes in the Hudson Valley
Inspired by a desire to design custom homes in the Hudson Valley, Marica began designing Waterfalls Properties, the first community in what would eventually become HV Contemporary Homes. With its close proximity to New York City and gorgeous landscape, the Hudson Valley seemed like an ideal place to begin.
“So many New Yorkers are looking to escape the intensity of the city on the weekends and the Hudson Valley is a perfect location. After visiting just once I fell in love with the area – the beauty of the surrounding landscape, the quaint towns, vast farmland, so many outdoor activities – it’s a true escape, and still so close.”
View of the Catskill Mountains from the Hudson Valley
In an effort to get to know their client base better, Studio MM held brainstorming dinner parties – “essentially crowd-sourcing a client. It was like having eight clients rather than only one.” Using these get-togethers to pick the brains of friends and neighbors we were able to hone in on what qualities and features people were looking for in a home in the Hudson Valley. We came away with a framework for what would eventually become HV Contemporary Homes’ “style”. Modern design features, indoor-outdoor living, large open living spaces, expansive windows, and accessibly to the outdoors became the foundations for our home designs. Next up was finding the perfect site.
Waterfalls Properties
38 private acres in Kerhonkson, NY, became the location of the first community of HV Contemporary Homes. The perfect location, Waterfalls Properties is set within the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and is conveniently located just two hours north of Manhattan. Subdivided into five private lots ranging from six to ten acres, Waterfalls Properties offers views of the adjacent Mombaccus Creek and the distant Shawangunk Mountains.
The first home designed by Studio MM for Waterfalls Properties – Creek House
Design Inspiration
Our architecture is inspired not only by the nature of the Hudson Valley but by the artistic culture of the region and its historical ties to art, design and creative people. Studio MM aims to integrate architecture and nature in our homes in a way that both reflects and respects the beauty of the natural surroundings. All of Studio MM’s designs combine the tradition of vernacular architecture in the Hudson Valley with modern residential design.
“The way I approach design for each house is completely unique. In the case of the Lantern Ridge House, the prominent ridge-line, early morning mountain views, and spectacular sunsets were the initial inspiration for the project. The site begged a house that engaged with the natural environment—the top of the ridge was the obvious location for the home, while large, seemingly continuous windows were necessary to not only bring the outdoors in, but to allow an abundance of natural light to enter the home.” – Marica McKeel
The Lantern Ridge House – Studio MM
“The inspiration for Cubed House came from the idea of an 18′ double-height living room and resisting the urge to design a tower, the home became a physical expression of a mathematical approach to form. Requiring a rigorous approach to spatial arrangement, the 31′ cube envelops three internal cubes that in turn form the entryway, master balcony, and primary living space.” – Studio MM
Cubed House: Construction to begin Fall 2016
Continuing to Design…The Cliffs
Currently Studio MM is working on designing homes for HV Contemporary Homes’ newest community, The Cliffs at Kaaterskill. Homes at The Cliffs will be designed to accentuate the surrounding landscape and take advantage of incredible views across the Hudson Valley.
The Cliffs are a combination of tremendous rock formations, extreme elevation changes which heighten privacy, and dramatic, unobstructed views of the Hudson Valley and beyond. In other words, the site is spectacular. You can learn more about The Cliffs in this recent post.
Aurora House – The Cliffs at Kaaterskill
Inspired by architecture and nature, Studio MM designs unique homes that respond to and enhance their natural surroundings yet still cater to the flexible needs of a client who craves both private reflection and social engagement.
“I don’t think of myself as a developer. The most important thing to me is being able to design the heck out of the architecture. So this isn’t a community of cookie-cutter houses. Certainly there’s a style.
But each one is its own thing. That’s what makes it fun.” – Marica McKeel
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