On a sloped property overlooking a wooded creek in Greenwich, Connecticut, an underused portion of the landscape has been transformed into a layered outdoor retreat. The project, designed and built by Fairfield House & Garden Co. with landscape architecture by Conte & Conte LLC, reshapes the site into a sequence of outdoor spaces anchored by a carefully integrated poolhouse.
Instead of imposing a structure on the terrain, the design follows the hillside. The poolhouse is integrated into the slope and topped with a planted earthen roof that merges with the surrounding landscape. Native plants and cascading ivy soften the architecture so that, from many viewpoints, the building seems to emerge naturally from the site.
Facing the terrace and infinity-edge pool, a sweeping glass façade defines the structure. Its gentle curve mirrors the building’s organic shape while opening the interior toward the landscape.
A custom 44-foot-wide sliding glass wall follows the building’s S-shaped curve, allowing individual panels to glide smoothly along the façade.
Designing With the Landscape
The steep grade was the project’s main challenge. Extensive grading could have disturbed the site and diminished its natural character. Instead, the design team shaped both architecture and landscape to complement the terrain.
The poolhouse acts as the centerpiece of a larger outdoor area. A gourmet kitchen supports alfresco dining and entertaining near the pool terrace. Below, the landscape transitions into a series of connected spaces, including sunken lawns, winding paths, and a recreational lawn bordered by linden trees.
Stone steps and boulders lead toward a wooded creek that runs along the edge of the property. Paths weave through the surrounding wetland, encouraging exploration while preserving ecological integrity.
This integrated approach reflects the close collaboration between Fairfield House & Garden Co. and its sister firm, Conte & Conte LLC. Architecture, planting design, and circulation were developed together to ensure the building feels inseparable from its surroundings.
Twelve individual glass panels slide along a single curved track and store in concealed closets, allowing the NanaWall sliding system to completely clear the opening.
A Curved Glass Wall That Opens the Pavilion
The defining feature of the poolhouse is the curved glass wall that stretches across the pool-facing elevation. The façade follows the building’s S-shaped geometry, maintaining uninterrupted views while reflecting the surrounding greenery.
To preserve the clean lines of the architecture, the design team required a system capable of operating along a curve while maintaining a flush transition between the interior floor and the pool terrace.
The solution was the NanaWall HSW60 single track sliding system. The custom installation spans approximately 44 feet in width and just over 8 feet in height, composed of 12 individual glass panels.
Each panel moves along a single overhead track engineered to match the curved façade, then slides into remote storage closets concealed within the structure. When fully opened, the panels are completely hidden, leaving the entire opening unobstructed.
When closed, each panel locks securely into recessed floor sockets, while integrated swing doors provide convenient access without opening the entire system.
“It would not have been possible without NanaWall, the curve, the disappearing panels, the no floor track, it’s exactly how John [ R. Conte] envisioned it. Seamless, clean, and immersive. We’ve used NanaWall before, but this was a whole new level; it was the only system that could meet the design without compromise. The performance, the clean look, the way it disappears, NanaWall helps us do things no one else is doing.” -FH&G Team
When the Structure Opens
With the panels stored out of sight in their remote closets, the poolhouse transforms into a true open-air pavilion. The bar, lounge, and kitchen flow seamlessly to the terrace and infinity-edge pool, with no barriers.
When the system is closed, the glass panels maintain clear views while allowing the space to function comfortably throughout changing weather conditions.
The ability to shift easily between open and enclosed use was central to the design. The architecture remains quiet and grounded within the hillside, while the operable façade allows the space to adapt for gatherings, seasons, and daily life around the pool.
When closed, the NanaWall sliding glass wall locks securely into recessed floor sockets while integrated swing doors provide convenient daily access.
Architecture in Dialogue with the Site
The project succeeds through careful restraint. The planted roof reconnects the building to the hillside above. Native plantings stabilize the slope and support pollinators. Pathways guide movement while protecting the surrounding wetland.
The curved glass façade reflects that philosophy. When open, the boundary between interior and exterior disappears. When closed, transparency maintains a continuous visual connection to the site.
For designers and builders working in complex landscapes, this project demonstrates how architecture, landscape design, and specialized glass wall systems can collaborate to support a clear, cohesive vision. It results in a poolhouse that feels less like an addition and more like an extension of the land itself, a seamless pavilion that responds to its environment and the people who inhabit it.
Liz Snyder is the Director of Product Marketing at NanaWall Systems.
