Perched on a steep slope in Ridgefield, CT, the Hillside Home seamlessly integrates with its challenging terrain through skillfully designed plateaus and retaining structures. This elegant English country residence, crafted by Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA, provides a sophisticated haven for a family of four. The residence’s crown jewel is “The Library of the History of Human Imagination.” This private library boasts transparent hand-etched platforms and panels, illuminated by color-changing fiber optics synchronized with music, creating a mesmerizing ambiance. Housing over 38,000 books and artifacts across a three-story, 3,500-square-foot space, the library not only serves as a personal sanctuary but has also gained acclaim in publications like “Wired Magazine” and “Celebrated Living,” and was the setting for a TED talk by the homeowner.

Architecture: Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA

Photography: Andrew Moore, Nancy Hill, Steve Turner, Caryn B. Davis, Mark P. Finlay Architects