Say Goodbye to Writer’s Block in Cooper Joseph Studio’s Writer’s Studio

It’s not easy working from home as a writer with distractions like family, cell phones, emails, and the myriad of other interruptions that modern life creates. But Cooper Joseph Studio created a place to escape and be one with the keyboard.

Nestled in a serene setting in Ghent, New York, the Writer’s Studio is the perfect one-person getaway for meditation, writing, or any type of creation expression one might fancy. The single-room studio is a rectangular volume that overlooks ponds and fields on one side and the deep woods on the other. Each façade is specifically designed to highlight its views, and the minimalist interior is accented by walnut and black slate detailing.

The exterior of the studio is clad in cedar with a matte black stain to absorb sunlight during the winter. The same treatment is used on both the broad, horizontal boards and the thin, textured slats, each of which is mitered at the corner to provide a sculptural effect. Copper accents stand out against the black cube, as do the geometric ladder steps.

Inside, the striking fireplace with a river stone surround is the anchor of the asymmetrical space, a welcome addition during the snowy winters in Ghent. Its walnut slat cladding, mimicking that of the façade, wraps around to form a built-in bookshelf and also serves as a window seat. Highly polished walnut floors reflect sunlight and contrast nicely with the low-intensity sheen on the wall surfaces. The few furnishings, including a desk, side tables, kitchenette countertop, and the bathroom sink, are also custom made from walnut. Expansive windows and open corners make the studio feel like much more than a simple box and create an intimate indoor/outdoor relationship.

Cooper Joseph Studio was committed to constructing a sustainable retreat. They achieved this goal through the use of efficient equipment, passive heating and cooling, and locally available materials. Additionally, the fireplace is fueled from trees on the property, and there is a hidden door on the north façade where the firewood can be easily brought inside and stacked next to the hearth.

We can already feel the creative juices flowing just looking at this writer’s retreat! Explore even more of Cooper Joseph Studio’s work on their website.

Photos courtesy of Elliott Kaufman for Cooper Joseph Studio