- Project: Pine Lane House
- Architect: Ballman Khapalova
- Location: United States, Saugerties, New York
- Year: 2023
- Area: 242 m2
- Photography: Ballman Khapalova
A Contemporary Take on the 1980s Ranch House
Ballman Khapalova reimagined a 1980s ranch house in Saugerties, New York, transforming it into a light-filled residence with stronger ties to its wooded surroundings. The project includes a 300-square-foot addition, new roof, wood exterior siding, an expansive deck, and fully upgraded mechanical systems.
By aligning new windows with the existing openings, the architects maximized natural light and cross-ventilation while maintaining a cost-conscious strategy. The result is a modest yet carefully crafted home that embraces both simplicity and character.
Design Strategy: Brightness and Connection
The original ranch was dark and inward-looking, so the renovation centered on bringing daylight inside and opening views to the landscape. The addition realigns the home’s entry to the center, repositioning the main living spaces toward mature trees to the west.
The new deck extends these spaces outward, hugging the trunks of existing trees under their canopy. A custom steel-and-wood railing continues the home’s façade rhythm, while a circular hot tub becomes both a sculptural termination of the deck and a vantage point for panoramic views of the property.
Interior Layout: Privacy Meets Openness
Inside, the hallway was restructured to create a main bedroom suite oriented toward the garden on the east. A custom bed structure organizes the room, separating sleeping areas from working and dressing zones while maintaining openness and fluidity.
The kitchen, dining, and living areas form a flexible social space. Large windows frame the surrounding tree line and garden, anchoring everyday life in direct contact with nature.
A custom tile backsplash in the kitchen originated from experimental floor plan studies, embedding the design process itself into the home’s final material palette.
Balancing Simplicity and Detail
While the home’s volume remains understated, the renovation introduces sculptural moments and crafted details that elevate its architectural language. The circular hot tub, tile patterns, and custom furniture highlight Ballman Khapalova’s thoughtful blend of functionality and artistry.
The Pine Lane House is not merely a renovated ranch—it is a case study in how modest homes can be reimagined into contemporary sanctuaries deeply rooted in their sites.
With the Pine Lane House, Ballman Khapalova show how small-scale interventions can achieve big impacts. By opening up a dated ranch house to natural light, trees, and outdoor living, the architects created a residence that feels at once modern, warm, and deeply connected to its environment.
In Saugerties, this project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can transform ordinary typologies into extraordinary architectural experiences.
