Modern Forest House Design – ClusterOne Residence by Studio MM Architect

ClusterOne Residence, designed by Studio MM Architect, is a striking example of modern forest house design in upstate New York. Completed in 2024, the 2,750-square-foot residence offers a retreat deeply rooted in celestial inspiration and natural surroundings. Tucked away in a quiet, wooded site, the home balances privacy, flexibility, and immersive connection with the landscape.

Concept and Inspiration

The residence draws its name from the Pink Floyd song Cluster One, symbolizing the client’s desire for a celestial-inspired haven. The architects translated this vision into two distinct volumes—Castor and Pollux, named after the mythological twin stars. Castor, clad in white stucco, serves as the guest house, while Pollux, in black stucco, contains the primary living spaces. A floating glass hallway and outdoor courtyards unite the two, creating a poetic contrast between separation and connection.

Architectural Layout and Spatial Experience

The home unfolds across multiple levels with a series of terraces, roof decks, and an open courtyard. The sunken firepit courtyard connects the twin volumes, while an overhead circular deck cutout strengthens visual interplay between levels. On the rooftops, a spa deck with planters and a future observatory dome invite stargazing, gathering, and retreat above the trees.

Inside Pollux, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows frame serene forest views and a nearby stream, bringing light and nature deep into the interiors. The kitchen, centered on a cantilevered island, replaces the traditional dining table with a more interactive and social cooking space. The living room opens seamlessly to the deck, designed for evenings of movies, fireside relaxation, or gatherings with family and friends.

Guest and Private Spaces

Castor offers two private guest suites, each with en suite bathrooms, ideal for extended family stays or rental opportunities. Pollux houses the primary suite with dramatic corner pocket doors, a walk-in closet, and a spa-like bathroom featuring a freestanding tub and double shower. The connection between indoors and outdoors is reinforced with a private walkway leading from the bedroom to the spa deck.

Materiality and Design Features

The home celebrates contrasts through black-and-white stucco volumes, transparent glass bridges, warm wooden interiors, and concrete detailing. Subtle lighting accents, like stair tread illumination and integrated floor-to-ceiling glazing, enhance the experience of movement and transition within the house. Every architectural gesture reinforces the themes of celestial duality, privacy, and openness.

Stargazing and Observation Deck

Crowning the residence, the observation deck embodies the celestial vision at the heart of ClusterOne. With an observatory dome and frameless glass railings, the space becomes both a scientific retreat and a social hub for outdoor dinners, stargazing nights, and celebrations. Elevated above the treetops, it offers panoramic views that merge nature, architecture, and cosmos into one immersive experience.

ClusterOne Residence is more than a modern forest house—it is a living narrative of its owners’ journey, a celebration of accomplishments, and a stage for future discoveries. By weaving together architecture, mythology, and astronomy, Studio MM Architect has crafted a timeless retreat where intimacy, connection, and exploration coexist seamlessly.

All Photographs are works of Brad Feinknopf