London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Oct 01, 2026

A Secluded, Industrial-Style Home in the Berkshires

A Secluded, Industrial-Style Home in the Berkshires

Salvaged wood interiors flesh out a skeleton of concrete, glass, and steel in the Mohawk Trail State Forest.


The property, located in the small town of Florida, is part of the protected Mohawk Trail State Forest. "A goal was to move from one spectacular setting in the Berkshires to one that was under less development pressure," explain the owners, who previously lived in an A-frame home designed by two Frank Lloyd Wright acolytes.



Bright yellow trim lining the floor-to-ceiling windows on the lower level pops against the exterior blend of concrete, steel, and glass.

Yet, it was the inviting community that sealed the deal. "Discovering the people and community of Florida became the core of our decision to move here," the owners continue. "No one conformed to a stereotypic image. Young and old seemed to not only respect, but also actually like, each other."



Glass wraps around three sides of the primary living room, which the owners call their sunroom, framing captivating views of the surrounding forest and meadows.

After acquiring the lot, the couple quickly got to work on crafting their dream home, which resulted in a multilevel retreat of concrete, steel, and glass. "Working with concrete and steel was not our first idea, but it became the idea that set us free," they say. "We wanted to display these materials as a visible center for the design, where the bones of the structure had a voice."

It was a young, energetic structural designer who "made the impossible possible" by designing "two unthinkable spans of bridge iron." This enabled generous, open interiors and broad windows and accentuated the steel-and-concrete form.



A more intimate seating area is nestled near the wooden staircase that leads to the office.

To balance the more industrial elements, the couple incorporated handcrafted woodwork salvaged from their previous property, where a devastating storm brought down a total of 50 hardwood trees. "Something at the time told us to harvest the wood, rough-saw it, and begin the process of slow curing," they say. "Now, more than 10 years later, these trees have become beautifully bright, patterned paneling throughout the new house."



Handcrafted shelving units lining the office offer plentiful storage for books and memorabilia.

In addition to modern comforts, such as radiant floor heating, the 4,076-square-foot dwelling also features custom details: The owners contracted a European furniture maker to craft ceiling-height doors, tilt-and-turn windows, and built-in cabinetry.



The kitchen features a large island and L-shaped banquette. Concrete floors and steel beams complement the handcrafted millwork cladding the walls.

The kitchen is also personalized, divided into two sections: a prep room and a cooking/serving area with a large island and L-shaped banquette. The idea was to separate guests from the back, which "serves as a hidden, but very stylish, scullery for cleanup and supplies," say the owners.



The kitchen scullery radiates industrial vibes, featuring exposed piping and stainless steel cabinetry.

The principal suite occupies the entire upper floor and has a separate entrance from the outside. Also on the property is a renovated guesthouse dating back to the 1930s, where the couple stayed while building the main residence. "All around the house, whether it be inside or out, there is an appealing place to enjoy the light," note the owners.



An underground, naturally cooled room for wine and beer is connected to the kitchen scullery.



A covered outdoor eating area, located off the kitchen, overlooks the forested lot.



The various flat roofs that cap the home also serve as spacious decks.



Another view of the exterior, which highlights the unique unfolding of the home.



A peek at the detached guesthouse, which the owners completely renovated to make it more consistent in style with the main home. The small yet fully equipped space comes with two bedrooms, as well as a living area, kitchen, and bath.



An aerial view of the property, showcasing the main residence, the guesthouse, and a work barn which could also be used as a studio.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Southwest England Faces Flood Alerts After Heavy Autumn Storms
UK Expands Funding for Rapid Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Welsh Government Approves Funding to Upgrade South Wales Transport
Northern Ireland Tensions Rise as Orange Order Rejects Drumcree Compromise
NHS Leaders Back Early Design of Proposed National Care Service
More Than One-Third of Regional UK Universities Face Financial Deficits
UK Current Account Deficit Narrows as Cross-Border Financial Flows Remain Strong
Bank of England and FCA Issue New Rules for Stablecoins and Digital Assets
MI5 Warns UK Universities Over Research Links With Chinese Institutions
UK Energy Price Cap Rises 4% as Electricity VAT Is Temporarily Suspended
Equity Calls for UK Personality Rights to Protect Performers From AI Replication
OpenAI Pauses Advanced Model Training Following Safety Concerns
Scottish Government Proposes Replacing 32 Councils With Larger Regional Authorities
Ofgem Raises UK Household Energy Price Cap by 4% From October
UK Counter-Terrorism Police Continue Investigation After Five Arrests Near RAF Fairford
OECD Cuts UK 2027 Growth Forecast to 1%
Labour Says State Pension Triple Lock Remains Protected Through Current Parliament
Andy Burnham Pledges National Care Service With Free Social Care in England
Six Flags Permanently Shuts Landmark X2 Roller Coaster Following Safety Scandals
Metropolitan Police Rule Out Terrorism in Golders Green Stabbing Investigation
Lithium-Ion Battery Identified as Cause of Fatal Merseyside House Fire
UK Department Rejects New Sea Use Framework Due to Stakeholder Fatigue
Major Thames Water Pipe Burst Causes School Closures in London
Aldi Commits £900 Million to Expand UK Supermarket Network
Scottish Affairs Committee Warns Skills Shortages Threaten Defence Sector Expansion
Parliamentary Committee Warns Northern Ireland Budget Deadlock is Stalling Economic Growth
NHS Hospitals in England Face Severe Shortages of Essential Medications
Home Secretary Signals Major Overhaul of UK Immigration and Leave to Remain Policies
Chancellor Promises New Job Schemes Alongside Strict Fiscal Discipline
Energy Secretary Proposes Taxpayer-Funded Green Transition and National Electricity Grid
UK Government to Renationalise Avanti West Coast Railway Franchise in March
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Major Social Care and Infrastructure Reforms
Five Suspects Released on Bail Following Alleged Bomb Plot Near RAF Fairford
UK Diesel Prices Hit Record High of 199p Per Litre
Transport for Wales and Network Rail Complete Electrification of South Wales Metro
Defra Expands Incentives for Sustainable Farming and Biodiversity in England
Northern Ireland Executive Approves Funding Package to Resolve Public Sector Pay Disputes
Universities UK Warns of Financial Insolvency Risks for Higher Education Institutions
UK Prisons Activate Emergency Protocols to Manage Capacity Pressures
UK Government Establishes New Safety Standards for Frontier AI Models
Home Office Tightens Skilled Worker Visa Requirements and Dependent Rules
Ministry of Defence Restructures Royal Navy Frigate Procurement to Prevent Overruns
UK Government Mandates New Housing Targets to Address National Shortage
UK and Scottish Governments Reach Agreement on North Sea Energy Transition
NHS Launches Digital Overhaul to Reduce Surgical Backlogs in England
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates as Service Sector Inflation Persists
UK Chancellor Announces Fiscal Consolidation Measures to Stabilize National Debt
RNLI Chief Executive Condemns Misinformation and Abuse Targeting Volunteer Crews
Metropolitan Police Charge Swindon Man with Assisting Foreign Intelligence Services
British Intelligence Report Warns Environmental Collapse Threatens Global Defense Infrastructure
×