Glacial Till Refuge

Nestled within a sloping woodland at the edge of a salt pond, this residence was sited to create a seamless “hand-in-glove” fit between two distinct ecologies: a dynamic tidal shoreline and an upland glacial till forest. HMWhite’s design embraced the site’s topographic complexity and geologic legacy to shape a landscape of fusion, intimacy, and immersion.
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Massive glacial outcroppings—monumental in scale and presence—became both inspiration and anchor. Celebrated rather than concealed, these ancient boulders define a network of garden rooms that radiate from the home’s interiors. Each space is calibrated to feel at once enclosed and open—framed by stone, softened with native woodland plantings, and animated by shifting light.
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Permeable pavements, reclaimed fieldstone paths, and a curated plant
palette—featuring pollinator-friendly perennials and mature red cedar transplants—knit the landscape together while providing privacy and visual cohesion. From shaded forest refuge to sunlit wildflower meadows and stone terraces, the design invites quiet movement, reflection, and reconnection.
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At once grounded and transcendent, this retreat merges architectural precision with nature’s raw beauty—an immersive, timeless landscape shaped by elemental forces.