The West Hill Main House is the third chapter in the story of a beautiful site in western Massachusetts. The family began with a Pool House, designed by MTA as Phase 1, establishing a quiet retreat on the land. Phase 2, the Studio, became a creative haven - designed for gardening, pottery, loom weaving, model making -a place to explore craft, cultivate hobbies, and deepen their connection to the land.

Phase 3, the Main House, now anchors the property. Nestled among rocky outcroppings, it serves as the keystone, linking the Pool House, the Studio, and the surrounding landscape. The house includes a full kitchen, living areas, bedrooms, studies, and a garage, organized in a dogtrot layout. This layout divides the home into three distinct zones - the kitchen and living area, the primary bedroom suite, and a second-floor bedroom with its own roof deck -while a central screened porch with fully retractable doors threads them together. The dogtrot screen porch (affectionally called the "Cat-trot" in homage to the family's feline members) forms the heart of the home, opening the living spaces to the landscape, providing privacy for the bedrooms, and welcoming summer breezes that naturally cool the interiors.

Sustainability is woven throughout the design. Solar panels and energy-efficient mini-split systems reduce the home’s ecological footprint, while high-performance insulation and carefully placed roof overhangs ensure comfort year-round.

The exterior material palette highlights natural textures: birch bark shingles weave with white pine siding, framed by yellow cedar trim and fascia. Inside, thoughtful details and subtle accents of color reflect the family’s love of travel and deep appreciation for craftsmanship and art, adding warmth and personality throughout. Beyond the architecture, the family designs and tends the gardens and landscape, creating a living connection that unites the home with its surroundings.

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Contractor: Charles Bado