Garrison, New YorkHudson Highland Estate
Occupying a prominent ridgeline above Cold Spring, with sweeping views of the Hudson River to the west and protected parkland to the east, this country estate presented an opportunity to reconsider the relationship between the house and its surrounding landscape.
The masterplan explores the reconfiguration of the existing driveway and parking areas, alongside the introduction of new screened and open porches and terraces, to significantly increase usable outdoor space. Carefully considered sightlines from principal rooms establish stronger visual connections between the architecture, gardens and rolling landscape beyond.
Central to the design is the transformation of an underutilised, sheltered space on the eastern side of the house into a substantial garden courtyard. Initially conceived to accommodate both vehicles and entertaining, the courtyard evolved through several design studies into a dedicated garden space, designed for year-round enjoyment.
The final scheme is organised around an elongated reflecting pool, establishing a strong central axis and providing a focal point for the surrounding dining and lounging areas. A continuous pergola wraps around three sides of the courtyard, creating architectural enclosure and an ever-changing interplay of light and shadow. Detailed studies of the sun's movement explore how the pergola, tree canopy and understory planting will shape the experience of the garden throughout the seasons, creating distinct spatial qualities from spring through winter.
Parallel allées of evergreen Magnolia virginiana, structured hedging and climbing plants soften the architecture and provide seasonal interest. The combination of water, planting and overhead structure creates an intimate garden environment, offering a deliberate contrast to the expansive landscape and distant river views.
Together, these interventions aim to establish a series of interconnected outdoor spaces that extend the living areas of the house and respond to the estate's distinctive setting.
