Alpine House by McClean Design, California Indoor–Outdoor Living Reimagined in New Jersey
Architecture Design of Alpine House
Description About The Project
Alpine House by McClean Design is a refined contemporary residence in New Jersey, blending California-style indoor–outdoor living with Northeast climate sensitivity, panoramic views, layered spaces, and a serene architectural narrative.
The Project “Alpine House” Information:
- Project Name: Alpine House
- Location: Alpine, New Jersey, United States
- Area: 10,000 SF
- Designed by: McClean Design
A Contemporary Villa Framed by Landscape and Distance from the City
Located on a gently sloping estate overlooking a wooded grove in Alpine, New Jersey, Alpine House by McClean Design sits just 45 minutes from Manhattan, yet feels profoundly removed from the city’s pace. The residence is conceived as a private retreat—one that borrows the openness and fluidity of California modernism while responding carefully to the seasonal rhythms of the U.S. Northeast.
Rather than announcing itself immediately, the house is revealed gradually. A long, curving driveway weaves through mature trees, offering fleeting views of the architecture before arriving at a formal entry court. This carefully choreographed approach establishes a sense of anticipation and reinforces the home’s relationship with its natural surroundings.
“The experience of arrival was critical to this project,” explains McClean Design. “We wanted the architecture to unfold slowly, allowing the landscape to frame the home before the full view is revealed.”
A Layered Composition Anchored to the Site
The house is organized across three primary levels, with the basement partially embedded into the hillside. This lower level functions as both a structural plinth and a spatial buffer, grounding the architecture within the landscape while elevating the main and upper floors to capture uninterrupted views of the gardens and countryside beyond.
From the entry court, a bridge spans a lower light well, leading to a grand front door. Inside, a double-height foyer creates an immediate sense of scale and calm. At its center, an ornamental tree rises from a shallow water feature, aligning precisely with the axis of the view beyond and reinforcing the dialogue between architecture and nature.
“Natural light and landscape are not decorative elements here—they are integral to the spatial organization of the house,” notes the design team.
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Interior Zoning: Formality, Flow, and Function
The entry foyer acts as a hinge, dividing the home into distinct yet interconnected zones. To one side, the dining room overlooks the light well, balanced by a sculptural three-level spiral staircase that draws the eye upward. To the other, the family room and kitchen unfold as a generous, informal living space, opening directly to the rear terrace and infinity pool.
A secondary stair connects the basement to the roof deck, ensuring fluid circulation throughout the house, while an elevator discreetly links the garage, main level, and primary suite—an essential gesture of comfort in a climate defined by changing seasons.
The more formal living room and private office occupy the opposite wing of the main floor, with guest bedrooms positioned above. Below, the basement accommodates wellness and entertainment spaces, including a gym, spa areas, media room, and guest quarters. Importantly, these lower-level rooms receive abundant natural light through the central light well, avoiding the sense of enclosure often associated with subterranean spaces.
Indoor–Outdoor Living Adapted to a Northern Climate
While inspired by the openness of California homes, Alpine House is carefully adapted to New Jersey’s climate. Extensive glazing connects interior spaces to the landscape, yet a greater proportion of fixed, high-performance glass panels ensures thermal comfort throughout the year.
All main-level rooms open onto a broad rear terrace, where an infinity pool and cascading water features descend toward the garden. The reflective surface of the water mirrors the surrounding trees and sky, allowing the house to register the changing seasons—from lush summer greens to stark winter silhouettes.
“The goal was not to replicate a California house,” McClean Design emphasizes, “but to reinterpret its lifestyle in a way that feels authentic to the Northeast.”
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Materials, Atmosphere, and Timeless Modernity
The architectural language is defined by clean lines and restrained geometry, deliberately contrasting with the organic softness of the site. A warm material palette—featuring stone, wood, and subtle metal accents—adds depth and tactility, ensuring the home feels inviting rather than austere.
Above, a roof deck offers panoramic views stretching toward the Manhattan skyline, particularly striking during winter months when foliage recedes and the horizon opens fully. It is a reminder of the home’s dual identity: a secluded retreat anchored in nature, yet closely connected to the city beyond.
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A Contemporary Estate Rooted in Experience
More than a statement of form, Alpine House by McClean Design is an exploration of movement, light, and seasonal change. By balancing openness with enclosure, and luxury with restraint, the residence achieves a timeless architectural expression—one that elevates daily living through thoughtful design rather than excess.
In doing so, it stands as a compelling example of how modern residential architecture can adapt regional lifestyles into a cohesive, deeply personal home.
Photo credit: | Source: McClean Design
For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: 391 S. Glassell St. Orange, CA 92866
– Tel: 714.505.0556
– Email: info@mccleandesign.com
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