Nestled among rocky outcroppings, the West Hill Studio is the second of three MTA projects completed on this tree-filled site in western Massachusetts. The family began with a Pool House, designed by MTA and completed as Phase 1, establishing a quiet retreat on the land. When the pandemic arrived, they found themselves drawn to the property more than ever, prompting the need for additional space. 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.

The compact studio includes a work surface, sink and cabinet storage, full bathroom, built-in bed niche, and a gardening workshop. Large glass doors and windows bring in abundant natural light and cooling summer breezes, and generous overhangs allow for passive solar shading and an outdoor seating area protected from the elements. The exterior material palette extends across all project phases, featuring an assortment of natural wood-based textures: birch bark shingles, white pine siding, and yellow cedar trim and fascia. Natural wood finishes clad the interior, punctuated by bursts of color that evoke a sense of creativity and playfulness.

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Contractor: Damien McNally