2024
Sanctuary Design Group
Residential
Orange County,
New York, US
What once stood as a forgotten and deteriorating chapel now rises as The Sanctuary at Bashakill; a reverent reimagining of space, spirit, and structure. Our studio approached this deeply unique project with a singular goal: to honor the soul of the building while elevating it to meet the demands of contemporary luxury living.
At the heart of this transformation is the original sanctuary, lovingly preserved as a central gathering space. The former altar, once a place of reflection and reverence, now serves as the crown jewel of the home as a bespoke bar and lounge area, softened with warm lighting and wrapped in natural materials that invite intimate connection and conversation. This is not a space to pass through. This is a space to feel.
In contrast to the cathedral’s timeworn frame, the adjacent structure which was once an unstable addition lacking proper footings was removed and reimagined as a modern three-bedroom wing. Built anew with integrity and precision, the addition reflects the strength of architectural intention, while maintaining harmony with the chapel’s silhouette.
The residence was designed in an organic modern style, where grounded textures and raw finishes meet the quiet drama of curated form. Limestone, white oak, tumbled brass, and smoked glass create a tactile language of lived-in luxury. Subtle Art Deco flourishes such as a curved built-in, fluted detailing, and vintage-inspired lighting offer a nod to the building’s past without overwhelming its present.
The flow between old and new is seamless. Vaulted ceilings and arched windows remain untouched in the sanctuary, while new skylights and minimalist millwork in the bedroom wing allow the architecture to breathe. Every element, from the stone underfoot to the grain of the custom cabinetry, was chosen to evoke a sense of calm, reverence, and grounded elegance.
The Sanctuary at Bashakill is more than a home, it’s a conversation between eras. A meditation on how we inhabit space, and how space, in turn, inhabits us. This project reflects our firm’s belief that luxury is not defined by extravagance, but by meaning. And meaning, in this case, was already built into the bones.