The Hudson Valley in New York is defined by rolling hills, lush pastures, forested ridges, a view of the majestic Catskills, and winding country roads that can make one feel as if they are living in a postcard. This pastoral paradise has long drawn city-dwellers North in search of quieter, more intentional living. For Doug Maxwell, co-founder and managing partner of Upstate Modernist, the magic of the Hudson Valley isn’t held in its scenery alone; it is in designing homes that feel as if they belong to the land.
“We start with the land,” says Maxwell. “We consider the contours, the trees, the views, and the light. These elements inform how a space will take shape.”
As a modern home design firm, Upstate Modernist has found a dedicated fan base among people moving to the Hudson Valley seeking to commune with nature, but still maintain some of their modern, sophisticated city sensibilities.
In partnership with S3 Architecture, Upstate Modernist builds homes that feel as if they have always been part of the Valley’s landscape, with clean lines and modern comfort that honor the spirit of Upstate New York.
Echoing the landscape with modern home design
The modern farmhouse design aesthetic has been wildly popular for years, but people typically assume that it means designs that are heavy on the shiplap, wrought iron, and barn doors. Upstate Modernist has a different approach to modern farmhouse, one that means rural escapes that weave in natural elements and a structure that blends in with the land. The black steel windows, gabled forms, and open-concept interiors are simply starting points for the designers. “We are less about applying aesthetics and more about interpretation of place,” says Maxwell.
Long before the first draft is drawn, Upstate Modernist begins its process with site walks, surveys, and natural observations, allowing design ideas inspired by the terrain to unfold. “The slope of a hill may determine how we design the entry, or a group of old maple trees may inspire the entire footprint of the home,” explains Maxwell. The designers consider how light falls, the views from every room of the house, and how the house may look from a distance before a single foundation is poured.
A builder that embraces modernism with deep roots
Modernism has often been thought of as abstract, urban, and detached from nature, but Upstate Modernist has reclaimed the idea as something grounded and a way of celebrating modern lifestyles.
The firm’s designs embrace minimalist forms, natural color palettes, and locally sourced, eco-friendly materials, all in an effort to mirror the landscape and appeal to modern tastes that prefer clean lines and details that are anything but overwrought or fussy.
The blend of aesthetics has resonated with city dwellers looking to trade skyscrapers for silos. “Our clients want designs that reflect the cosmopolitan taste that they have come to expect in the city, but also reflect the authenticity and beauty of the countryside,” says Maxwell.
Craft from concept to construction and completion
Upstate Modernist offers a true design-build experience, allowing the vision to remain consistent throughout the process. Working in tandem with S3 Architecture, the firm provides a seamless home build journey from initial sketches through the final walk-through.
Customization is the foundation of the firm’s mission. Each home is not only tailored to fit the chosen site but also the tastes and lifestyles of the clients. For clients who work from home, designers consider the views from the office or how much light comes in through the windows mid-day. For families, backyard living may be considered as much as indoor living. Each home is as unique as the people who will be living in it.
The Upstate Modernist is also very focused on sustainability, and it plays a central role in every project. Through the incorporation of thoughtfully sourced materials, smart home systems, and cutting-edge, energy-efficient technologies, the design firm aims to reduce the environmental impact of every home it builds.
A property that lets you live with the land
Upstate Modernist is doing its part to have a positive impact on the way people in the Hudson Valley live. From huge windows that bring in all the light to natural colors and materials that blend in with the woods and the pastures that dot the land, an Upstate Modernist home blends all the elements that people look for when they move to the Hudson Valley.
For the design team, they hope that their unique approach helps people transition from the insistent buzz of the city to the tranquility of the country, helping new and long-time residents of Upstate New York not only see the land from every angle, but live with it.
Written in partnership with Tom White
