8/10 Good
Verified traveller
15 August 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unique Experience
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Entire home
Beautiful innovative masonry with arches and domes. Pet-Friendly!
Photo gallery for Beautiful innovative masonry with arches and domes. Pet-Friendly!
Reviews
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom2 bathroomsSleeps 42000 sq ft
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Alfred Station, NY
Pioneer Stadium
4 min drive
Alfred State College
5 min drive
Alfred State Quad
5 min drive
Olean, NY (OLE-Cattaraugus County)
44 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed and 1 Large Single Sofa Bed
Living Room 1
1 Single Bed and 1 Single Futon
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Bathroom 2
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Spaces
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
About this property
Beautiful innovative masonry with arches and domes. Pet-Friendly!
A peaceful place in the woods, comfortable rooms with unique masonry construction. This house was built as a test model, which helped the invention (concrete block to build roofs, as arches and domes) to get accepted into Building Code for the first time. There are lots of features to showcase what the masonry can do, including 8 ft. diameter domes, 16 ft. dome (kitchen), and 24 ft diameter dome (bedroom); also independent arches which span the living room, flying buttresses, and a tall tower entryway with a gothic arched roof. This building was designed by Robert Ferry, AIA, RDP. The living room has a large book collection (main subject is the Enlightenment), a 1940 upright Steinway piano, a great stereo with vintage Klipschorn speakers, and a 60 inch TV. There is a dining room table seating 6, a kitchen table seating 4. There is radiant heating under the tiled floor. Kitchen: 2 gas stoves, microwave, coffeemaker and full cooking and serving utensils. 1 mile to Alfred University.
Property manager
Peter Roberts
Premier Host
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Barbecue grill
Fireplace
Similar properties
Welcome to The Country Cabin
Welcome to The Country Cabin
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
10.0 out of 10, (77 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 4 total)
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 40
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Alfred Station
Alfred Station is home to this holiday home. Alfred Town Hall and Almond Town Hall are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Turnpike State Forest and Canacadea State Forest.
Alfred Station, NY
What's nearby
- Pioneer Stadium - 4 min drive
- Alfred State College - 5 min drive
- St. James Mercy Hospital - 5 min drive
- Alfred University - 8 min drive
- Tall Pines ATV Park - 25 min drive
Getting around
Restaurants
- Muhleseins - 13 min drive
- Kent Beer Company - 24 min drive
- Old Mill - 8 min drive
- Gentleman Jim's - 7 min drive
- Alexs College Spot - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
9.4/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Denise C.
14 June 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Castle in the woods
Denise C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
David J.
22 April 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location with neat architecture
David J.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
About the host
Hosted by Peter Roberts
I am a masonry designer, using manufactured concrete block (for the first time) to make roofs, as arches and domes, including flying buttresses and other unique features. I graduated from Alfred University, where I received a custom degree in Masonry Science.
This house was built as a demonstration model, used for evaluation by the International Code Council - Evaluation Services (ICC-ES). It obtained two Product Listings and a positive Evaluation Report from ICC-ES.
I also enjoy working in art. I mainly do pottery, but also glass blowing, welding, metal casting and other media. I like to make things.
I love music, and play blues harmonica. I often have friends over and we play music together.
I was born in Berkely, California. I grew up near Albany, NY and have lived in many places during my life, including Mt. Hood, Oregon; Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Park City, Utah and other places (too many to mention).
I love books, and am always reading a few. I also enjoy writing, poetry, and history.
I love being outside, enjoy walking in the woods, and hanging out with dogs.
This house was built as a demonstration model, used for evaluation by the International Code Council - Evaluation Services (ICC-ES). It obtained two Product Listings and a positive Evaluation Report from ICC-ES.
I also enjoy working in art. I mainly do pottery, but also glass blowing, welding, metal casting and other media. I like to make things.
I love music, and play blues harmonica. I often have friends over and we play music together.
I was born in Berkely, California. I grew up near Albany, NY and have lived in many places during my life, including Mt. Hood, Oregon; Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Park City, Utah and other places (too many to mention).
I love books, and am always reading a few. I also enjoy writing, poetry, and history.
I love being outside, enjoy walking in the woods, and hanging out with dogs.
Why they chose this property
I chose to live on this hilltop near Alfred, NY so that I could enjoy the hardwood forest, and be close to the academic activity at Alfred University and Alfred State College. I chose this particular spot so that I could have land on which to build masonry prototypes. Any visitor will see a whole series of experimental buildings on this property. I travel frequently, all over the place. This property serves as my "home base."
What makes this property unique
This house is unique because it was the first experimental structure built using the innovative masonry structure designed and developed by my company, Spherical Block LLC. The house was designed by architect Robert Ferry, AIA, RDP; Cheng-Ning Jong, PE and myself. This technology is described in a dozen or so US patents which I wrote. I have worked with engineering students over the years, who learned about intellectual property (patents) by becoming involved in writing and obtaining US patents. Around 30 students have been listed as authors of US patents through their work with me and my company. This work has helped them launch their careers upon graduation, and to become familiar with innovation.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback