Ithaca-based architecture studio Ballman Khapalova created an artist's studio that was built on a minimal footprint on a sloping Germantown, United States.

Named Anchorage Road Artist Studio, the 63-square-metre studio was designed for Brooklyn-based artist Natasha Sweeten's painting studio and office. 

In order to take advantage of connection to the surrounding landscape and provide a private, protected space for creative work, the building was designed to be both cost-effective and effective, with openings to the north and south light for various tasks.

The Studio and a newly remodeled farmhouse from the 1800s are situated on a steep slope, forming an entry courtyard that is surrounded by old trees. 

In addition to providing a perfect location for solar panels on its south-facing facade, its roofline conceals the building bulk from the direction of nearby homes by following the topography's natural slope as it descends down.

Since the studio floor is an extension of the outdoor courtyard, when the earth recedes, the studio's interior space starts to blend in with the surroundings, providing views of the Hudson River, nearby farms, and a sharply sloping rear. 

The entire floor is made of CDX plywood, which also covers the studio's walls to keep them strong, flexible, and uncomplicated. The painting area is completely private and illuminated by a north-facing clerestory. 

There is a double-height storage area behind the east studio wall. The framing was left uncovered to act as shelf for various painting supplies. 

Light from floor-to-ceiling windows on the south façade illuminates the bathroom area with a toilet, shower, and utility sink, which is connected to this storage area.

With a sitting space and work station that appear to float in the countryside, the office has the most striking link to the vista.

Repurposing an existing cistern to store mechanicals, the studio was built on the foundation of a run-down garage from the 1950s. 

The piers supporting the new studio's south face accommodate a bench for storing firewood, a hanging wall for tools, and the entrance to the new storage area inside the foundation.

Floor plan sketch

Floor plan

Ballman Khapalova is an architecture practice based in Ithaca, New York. In addition to the practice, the principals are also founders of Rotary Park Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform NYC’s Holland Tunnel Rotary into a piece of resilient green infrastructure and a vibrant public space.

Project facts

Project name: Anchorage Road Artist Studio 

Architects: Ballman Khapalova

Project year: 2025

Project team: Thornton Tomasetti (Structural Engineering), Rock-N-Renovations (General Contractor)

All images & drawings © Ballman Khapalova.

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