Twins is a pair of upstate New York vacation homes by architect William O’Brien Jr. (WOJR), built between 2009 and 2011 for two brothers: one house is a square, the other a hexagon. Both are made from the same five pieces, and the snow makes them look like a stage set.
| Key fact | Twins by WOJR |
|---|---|
| Architect | William O’Brien Jr. (WOJR) |
| Location | Upstate New York |
| Built | 2009 to 2011 |
| Client | Two brothers |
| Shapes | One square house, one hexagonal house |
What is the Twins project?
We first shared this minimal winter house early on, and it has stayed one of our favourites. WOJR built two homes on the same site and called the project “Twins”.
The design follows a geometry idea called minimal dissection: any two polygons of equal area can be cut into pieces that rebuild each other. Both houses are assembled from the same five pieces, four trapezoids and one triangle. The triangle becomes a sunroom in the square house and a screened porch in the hexagonal one.
What does it look like in winter?
Dark stucco exteriors against snow make the polygons hard-edged and the warm interior light glows against the woods. The two houses face each other, with a seasonal garden between them that grows leafy vegetables, berries, wheat and corn. Rainwater from the roofs runs through an underground system to irrigate it.
The one practical problem is shoveling the snow, but we think an owner would find a way.
We’ve featured plenty of luxury homes on Alux, and this one still stands out. Would you like to own one of these two residences? Let us know in the comments.
FAQ
Who designed the Twins houses in New York?
William O’Brien Jr., whose studio is WOJR.
Where are the Twins houses?
In upstate New York.
Who are the Twins houses for?
They were designed as vacation homes for two brothers.
What shape are the Twins houses?
One is a square and the other is a hexagon, both built from the same four trapezoids and one triangle.
When were the Twins houses built?
Between 2009 and 2011.
Last updated: October 2026.
