Most Airbnb stays offer a comfortable bed and a nice view. This one is completely different. Tucked into the woods of Rhinebeck, New York, the Ex of In House is a bold geometric structure designed by architect Steven Holl. It sits on 28 acres of forested land. And right now, anyone can book a night there.
What Makes Hudson Valley Airbnb Stand Out
The Ex of In House looks nothing like a typical rental. The building plays with intersecting spheres and carved geometric shapes. As a result, it feels more like a sculpture than a home. Inside, there are no standard bedrooms or dividing walls. Instead, the open two-level studio sleeps three guests on Japanese-style futon beds, exactly as Holl designed it.
The entry porch curves inward in an orb-like shape, pulling guests into the space right away. Throughout the day, light bounces off a nearby frog pond and moves across the interior walls. Every detail serves the overall concept.
Holl finished the house in 2016 as part of a research project called Explorations of IN, which his firm started in 2014. The project pushes back on standard approaches to home design. Specifically, it focuses on what Holl calls “inner spatial energy strongly bound to the ecology of the place.”
The structure covers just 918 square feet. Yet because the space flows so openly, guests often say it feels much bigger than it looks. That sense of space is the whole point.
Green Design From the Ground Up
Beyond the striking shape, the house also takes eco-design seriously. Geothermal systems handle all heating and cooling. A solar panel roof generates electricity. On top of that, the builders used a recycled Poraver material for the outer walls and locally sourced birch plywood inside.
Notably, construction cleared zero trees on the site. All rental income goes toward funding educational programs and architecture residencies at the T Space gallery on the same land. So booking a stay here supports something bigger than a holiday.
Why the Hudson Valley Adds Even More Value
Rhinebeck sits about two hours north of New York City. That makes it an easy weekend trip for travellers across the Northeast and beyond. The town itself has no major chains. No Starbucks, no McDonald’s. Instead, visitors find local restaurants, independent shops, and access to great hiking trails.
The wider Hudson Valley region also draws millions of visitors each year. Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre outdoor sculpture park, sits nearby and features works by Alexander Calder, Maya Lin, and Richard Serra. Similarly, Dia Beacon, one of the most respected contemporary art museums in the country, is just a short drive away.
Together, these options make the Ex of In House feel less like an isolated novelty and more like the heart of a genuinely rich travel destination.
How to Book and What to Expect
The listing appears on Airbnb under “Architectural Wonder in the Woods” in Rhinebeck, New York. Nightly rates typically range from around $437 to $500, though prices vary by season. The property books out fast, so planning ahead is essential.
Guests should know the space is intentionally simple. There are no standard bedrooms, no walls between living areas, and the kitchen is small. In winter, a wood stove efficiently heats the entire structure. In summer, opening the doors and windows keeps air moving throughout.
In short, this is not a stay for travellers who want a hotel feel. However, it is a rare chance to spend a night inside a truly original work of architecture, in one of the most creative corners of the American Northeast.