How a Tiny Black Cube Became a Masterpiece of Clever Design
A striking black cube now sits atop a hill in New York’s Hudson Valley. Known as the House on a Hill, this compact home proves how clever design can turn challenges into strengths. Originally planned as a much larger build, rising costs and labour shortages forced a complete rethink of the project.
The project began when Miroslava Brooks and Daniel Markiewicz, founders of the design studio Forma, bought a nine-acre plot in Hillsdale. Their first vision was a spacious house, but soaring construction expenses and a shortage of workers made that impossible. Instead, they opted for a smaller, more efficient design.
The House on a Hill now serves as a real-world example of adaptive architecture. Its clever use of space and materials shows how constraints can inspire innovation. The home remains a private retreat, but its design principles could influence future projects facing similar challenges.
