Hilltop Glade

Truro, Massachusetts

The plan of this summer house in Truro is divided between two volumes, the larger of which contains the primary living spaces, bedrooms and a study, while the smaller is designated as a guesthouse. A screened dogtrot, an outdoor passageway between the two structures, provides shade and ventilation and simultaneously joins and separates the two spaces. The kitchen opens to the screened porch with an accordion wall allowing the interior space of the house to become part of the large screened porch when open. A pivot at the dogtrot folds the house into the hillside and around a cluster of existing trees.

Eleven-foot ceilings and abundant glazing enhance cooling breezes through the house through the stack effect and bring the forested condition inside, placing the living areas amidst the tree canopy. The interior palette of white walls and ceiling and whitewashed wood floors creates a canvas upon which the light through the trees plays. The vaulted ceiling heights downstairs hoist the bedrooms and study into the sky. Views from the second floor master suite, study and roof deck, which spans the dogtrot, open to the distant ocean and float the occupant within the tree canopy.