Modern Harmony: Studio MM’s Mission to Bring Architecture and Nature Together

What happens when architecture is designed not just to sit within a landscape but to truly engage with it?

For Studio MM Architect, the answer lies in meticulous attention to setting, materials and craft. Led by Marica McKeel, the firm creates spaces that not only harmonize with their surroundings but elevate the experience of living in them. From cliffside homes with sweeping views to tranquil retreats nestled in nature, Studio MM designs with the environment and the client in mind, always considering how the smallest details can make the largest impact.

Two recent residential projects — Kaat Cliffs and Tranquil Abiding — perfectly illustrate this approach. By responding directly to their respective sites and the needs of their inhabitants, both homes use expansive glazing to forge a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Central to these projects are Marvin Ultimate windows, which play an essential role in merging McKeel’s architectural vision with the performance demands of the client.

For Kaat Cliffs, a narrow, steeply sloped site framed by a dramatic cliff on one side and a drop-off on the other challenged McKeel and her team to create a design that could bridge these two contrasting landscapes. The solution was a light-filled, open-plan living area featuring panoramic windows that seamlessly connect the indoors with the breathtaking surroundings.

“Our primary goal with Kaat Cliffs was to create an efficient home that echoed the see-thru nature of Philip Johnson’s Glass House,” McKeel recalled. “Our clients wanted an open-plan living area that showcased views of both the Hudson Valley and of the spectacular cliff just behind the home’s site. This was the root of our inspiration for the project, which branches out from that two-sided glass living space.”

The choice of windows was crucial in ensuring that the expansive glazing did not compromise comfort conditions within the home. “We chose Marvin windows for this project because they were able to provide large panes of glass that paired well with a full-height sliding door,” McKeel explained. “Marvin windows offer excellent energy performance, which was critical for a central living area with a large proportion of glazing.”

The impact of the windows extends beyond energy efficiency, however. “Our client is an early riser and loves seeing the sunrise from the windows in her bedroom and from the main living space. She also loves the tall ceilings and the 11-foot doors that make the space extend to the outdoors, creating a seamless interior-exterior flow,” McKeel said.

In Tranquil Abiding, the design approach was driven by the clients’ desire for a meditative retreat near their Buddhist temple. McKeel’s design responded with a series of four stone-clad volumes, each housing a different program and connected by corridors that encourage moments of reflection.

“The clients gravitated towards a concept that would pull apart the volumes they required — a main bedroom, living room, guest suite, and meditation space — into distinct pavilions,” McKeel recalled. “The autonomous pavilions are linked together by corridors, creating a juxtaposition of vacant and occupied space and creating meditative pauses between each volume.”

Marvin Ultimate windows again proved essential, allowing McKeel to incorporate large expanses of glass while maintaining thermal comfort. “We’ve used Marvin windows in many of our projects over the years and have built up a great deal of confidence in their products,” she explained. “Our clients met me at our own home and had expressed concerns about feeling cold with that much glass. I had them stand up against the Marvin windows I have in my home, and they quickly realized that they didn’t need to worry about the cold transfer.”

The clients have since embraced the design, appreciating how the glazing fosters a strong connection to nature and makes them feel immersed within the landscape. “The clients love the windows — they’ve noted how well the operable casement windows facilitate natural cross breezes, how the living room feels so much more expansive, and how each room has a distinct viewpoint to the outdoors,” McKeel said. “Each space has a different relationship to sunlight and to the surrounding forest, enabled by these windows.”

These projects reflect Studio MM’s commitment to creating spaces that engage deeply with their environments, while addressing clients’ specific needs. The careful selection of glazing systems played a key role in making these homes as functional as they are beautiful, offering both design flexibility and performance.

For architects seeking to elevate their projects with a seamless indoor-outdoor connection, Marvin Ultimate windows provide a versatile, high-performing solution. Explore how these windows can enhance your next project by visiting Marvin’s website.

Top image: Kaat Cliffs. Photo courtesy of Studio MM

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