The West Hill Pool House is sited within a densely vegetated landscape in western Massachusetts and was conceived as the first phase of a larger vision for the property, which now includes a studio, main house, and cultivated grounds. As the initial intervention on the site, it established a quiet retreat and set the architectural language for what would follow. At its core, the pool house is a three-season structure, with more porch than enclosed building, designed to open fully to the surrounding landscape. Positioned as a bookend to a small swimming pool, it blurs the boundary between interior and exterior. Though only minimally heated, usage of the space extends into the colder months with the addition of a wood-burning fireplace, offering warmth and comfort well beyond the summer season.

The structure is expressed with clarity and restraint. A simple steel and timber frame is left exposed, with slender steel double-tee columns set apart from the primary enclosure. This separation allows the pool-facing façade to open completely, transforming the building into an outdoor room that invites light, air, and movement through the space. Material choices reinforce a sense place. Interior and exterior finishes are composed almost entirely of wood, creating a cohesive and tactile environment. Bark shingles wrap one end of the structure, a subtle reference to the surrounding forest and an early exploration of themes that continue across the site. The pool house and its adjacent water feature are set within a carefully shaped landscape of flower gardens, stone patios and pathways, and a wildflower meadow.

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Contractor: Fred Heyes