“Kristabelle and I have a passion for modern homes and thought it would be better to offer people structures that have a smaller environmental footprint and alternative living spaces keeping in mind energy efficiency,” Simonian states. “All of our designs feature a wall of glass, allowing us to bring in the beauty of the Hudson Valley, while also taking in the benefits of passive solar gains.”

“The Catskills is fast becoming the place to own a second home. Although there is a good inventory of older homes available, the trend of second-home buyers from New York City seems to lean toward a more modern aesthetic. At the same time, owners don’t want to spend more time cleaning and caretaking than they do relaxing.

That’s where Modern Shacks comes in. Sarkis Simonian and his partner Kristabelle McDermott are building high-end smaller homes in the Ulster County area.”