Built in harmony with the land, a unique, potentially record-setting home in Washington, Conn., peacefully awaits its next adventure. The modern estate is one of the most significant properties on the market in Litchfield County. Listed by Washington Depot agent Kathryn Clair, and offered at a whopping $14.9 million, the home, if sold for that amount, will set a price record for the town, as stated in a recent Mansion Global article on the property.
Clad in granite from three local quarries and executed in stone, glass and natural materials, the magnificent home was meticulously constructed in 2002 by the highly acclaimed architectural firm Gray Organschi Architecture. Comprised of Lisa Gray and her husband, Alan Organschi, two seasoned architects who met at Yale School of Architecture, the company pays particular attention to siting, unafraid to take on daring landscapes of all kinds. “We love the challenge,” explains Gray. “After studying architecture in New England, we have always worked with interesting topography, and aim to seamlessly incorporate its natural beauty into our design plans.” This house is no exception, as its structure is built into a west-facing hillside, resulting in the challenge of welcoming residents to an approachable, human-scale home, despite its unusual plot and vast size. “We wanted the residence to tumble down the landscape, making sure that only one story of the three-level home is visible as individuals enter,” says Gray. “This goal was meant to keep the structure unified with the land in the most natural way possible, while also welcoming in the property’s picturesque, natural surroundings.”
The hillside house is enveloped by 70 acres, including a five-acre, spring-fed pond that can be seen through large, strategically placed expanses of windows. In fact, Gray describes the breathtaking moment of standing in the home’s master wing, which looks all the way through to the water’s edge, as one of her favorite experiences in the house. This clear architectural relationship between the home’s exterior and interior continues with the use of separate wings to forge “livable” outdoor spaces. “The building essentially forms its own courtyard,” says Gray.
The wings also serve as a way to accommodate multiple living situations. From housing couples to large families, these versatile extensions of the residence are fully livable, the north-facing master wing even containing a full kitchen, dining room, family room, two offices and its own staircase, in addition to a luxurious master suite. “Although the home contains over 15,000 square feet of space, we purposefully chose a design that would also make it feel comfortable and cozy with a small family.” The building’s levels were also designed to encapsulate varied styles, its upper floors displaying a naturalistic look, while its lower level, which contains a fitness center and indoor swimming pool among other incredible amenities, exudes a distinguishable fresh, hip atmosphere.
“This residence is an architectural must-see masterpiece,” said Clair. “Hitting the market for the first time, and for a record-breaking price, the home is sure to draw in plenty of much-deserved attention. I am excited to be representing such an extraordinary property in town, and look forward to showcasing its many custom details, as well as its exquisite, high-quality features and amenities to interested buyers.”
The property also has a three-bedroom gate house with greenhouse, grass-roofed tennis house, tennis court, pond house, squash court and garaging for seven cars. Trails and stone walls lead up to an architectural folly that was modeled after a Greek temple, offering views of the surrounding Litchfield Hills. Many philanthropic events have been hosted here over the years, with the field in front of the folly accommodating hundreds.
“It’s not often you have a home where everything that surrounds you is part of the property,” states Gray. “From its absolutely gorgeous gardens and woodland edge to its strategically crafted floor plan and so much more, surprises are always unfolding. There’s not a day that you won’t discover something new.”
For more information on the property, located at 46 Senff Road, please visit our website here. You can also contact Washington Depot agent Kathryn Clair by phone at 203.948.5255, or by email at Kclair@williampitt.com.
