Black Rock

Rewriting the Prefab Playbook in the Hudson Valley

Perched quietly in the woods above Black Rock, a striking pair of A-frames rises from the landscape — familiar in silhouette, yet distinctly bespoke. What began as a Den Outdoors prefab plan evolved into a highly customized home that balances modern Nordic restraint with rugged Hudson Valley materiality.

Re-Drawing the Roofline

The project started with Den’s Double A-Frame concept, but the clients had a vision: more light, more flow, more space. Two shed roofs were seamlessly added to the primary forms, extending circulation and softening transitions between interior and exterior zones. The result is sculptural and deliberate, giving the home a profile that reads both minimalist and warmly contextual within the forest.

Textural Interior, Tailored by Hand

Inside, nearly every surface carries a story. Mushroom wood clads the ceilings, introducing the kind of tactile warmth usually reserved for boutique hospitality spaces. Underfoot, barn wood flooring — weathered and richly grained — traces from entry to bedrooms without losing pace.

At the center of the plan, a custom Stûv double-sided fireplace acts as a shared focal point, visually and emotionally linking the living and dining wings. Flames read in two directions, anchoring open spaces without compartmentalizing them — a subtle luxury.

The bath follows the same ethos: a fully bespoke layout with strategic storage, curated fixtures, and a palette chosen for both touch and longevity.

Performance Under the Surface

Mechanical systems received equal attention. A customized heat pump HVAC system was engineered specifically for the home’s envelope, insulation strategy, and ceiling volume — ensuring quiet, calibrated comfort year-round. The level of integration allows the architecture to speak without vents, grilles, or mechanical clutter interrupting the sightlines.

Black Metal, Warm Wood, and Water Outdoors

Outside, the house wears a black standing seam metal roof — crisp lines against green summers and white winters — contrasted with Ipe detailing and an expansive deck. The deck itself becomes a second living room, finished with an inset hot tub overlooking the forest.

Seven Months, Start to Finish

Remarkably, the entire project — design updates, customization, fabrication, coordination, and construction — was completed in just seven months. It’s a convincing argument for prefab as a starting point rather than a limitation.

Prefab, Personalized

While its Den DNA is unmistakable, Black Rock’s personality is unmistakably its own. It suggests a new chapter for prefab architecture in the region: one where speed and efficiency coexist with craft, warmth, and individuality.