A unique four-bedroom property featuring a mirrored exterior designed to reflect its natural surroundings has been listed for $15 million in Pound Ridge, New York.
The residence, located on nearly 20 acres of woodland, is described as an optical illusion due to its striking design, which utilizes glass, zinc-coated copper, and stainless steel. The exterior shifts appearance throughout the day as sunlight moves across the sky, allowing the house to appear to disappear into the trees.
The property is situated in Westchester County, approximately an hour from New York City. It was custom-designed by the architecture firm KieranTimberlake, with inspiration drawn directly from the land. The firm's approach involved carefully positioning the building volumes among existing rock formations without the need for blasting, integrating the architecture into the landscape itself.
"Rather than imposing a house on this extraordinary site, KieranTimberTimberlake designed the residence to respond to its steep, boulder-strewn escarpment and natural plateaus," said listing agent Brian Milton of COMPASS. "The volumes were carefully positioned among the rock formations, remarkably, without blasting, and the architecture becomes part of the journey through the landscape."
The 4,485-square-foot home is owned by Olga and Michael Kagan, who purchased the original 33-acre property in 2009 for $1.75 million. They subsequently sold a portion of the land with the existing residence, donated 10 acres to conservation, and then proceeded to build the current modern structure on the remaining 19.5 acres. The owners described the project as a "vanity project" and aimed to create a "piece of art."
Notable interior features include soaring 10- and 12-foot walls, expansive glass walls, a floating staircase, a bluestone fireplace, and custom eastern walnut paneling. The home also incorporates modern amenities such as an Eggersmann kitchen, a limestone island, a 2,400-bottle climate-controlled wine cellar, and a professionally engineered music and home theater room. Advanced infrastructure systems include geothermal heating and cooling, highly insulated SIP construction, and triple-pane windows.
Ten acres of the original property were donated to the Pound Ridge Land Conservancy and named in honor of Judge Leonard Sand, the former owner, adding a conservation element to the estate's history.
Milton suggests the property would appeal to buyers who appreciate high-level architecture and design, potentially art or architecture collectors, entrepreneurs, or individuals accustomed to exceptional contemporary homes seeking a unique property. The listing agent also noted that the home's design balances architectural drama with everyday livability, technology, and efficiency, making it suitable as either a primary residence or a country retreat.