This 1500 SF house in the Catskill Mountains is positioned on a gentle slope of rolling farmland and opens to sweeping views of the steep and thickly forested surrounding hillsides. The building uses subtle reinterpretations of vernacular vocabulary to emphasize and participate in the iconic and arcadian beauty of the local context. An intersection of two simple masses with matching pitched roofs is nestled into the hillside, creating a sheltered area between them as it embraces the valley beyond. The most resonant elements of local built vocabulary–timber frames, natural wood sided forms, and field stone masses–are set against simple interior finishes to underscore the beauty and craftsmanship of the construction techniques and to allow light and space to be focal. A loft and a master bedroom suite give way to a dramatic main volume and hearth generating a feeling of expansiveness within an otherwise efficient and lean program. Time-tested sustainable techniques of solar orientation, natural ventilation, and extensive use of local materials are teamed with newer technologies: SIP construction, radiant heating, high-efficiency appliances and lighting to achieve substantial reductions of the building’s carbon footprint. The house easily achieved Level II Energy Star Certification and scored high in LEED analysis.

This 1500 SF house in the Catskill Mountains is positioned on a gentle slope of rolling farmland and opens to sweeping views of the steep and thickly forested surrounding hillsides. The building uses subtle reinterpretations of vernacular vocabulary to emphasize and participate in the iconic and arcadian beauty of the local context. An intersection of two simple masses with matching pitched roofs is nestled into the hillside, creating a sheltered area between them as it embraces the valley beyond. The most resonant elements of local built vocabulary–timber frames, natural wood sided forms, and field stone masses–are set against simple interior finishes to underscore the beauty and craftsmanship of the construction techniques and to allow light and space to be focal. A loft and a master bedroom suite give way to a dramatic main volume and hearth generating a feeling of expansiveness within an otherwise efficient and lean program. Time-tested sustainable techniques of solar orientation, natural ventilation, and extensive use of local materials are teamed with newer technologies: SIP construction, radiant heating, high-efficiency appliances and lighting to achieve substantial reductions of the building’s carbon footprint. The house easily achieved Level II Energy Star Certification and scored high in LEED analysis.

This 1500 SF house in the Catskill Mountains is positioned on a gentle slope of rolling farmland and opens to sweeping views of the steep and thickly forested surrounding hillsides. The building uses subtle reinterpretations of vernacular vocabulary to emphasize and participate in the iconic and arcadian beauty of the local context. An intersection of two simple masses with matching pitched roofs is nestled into the hillside, creating a sheltered area between them as it embraces the valley beyond. The most resonant elements of local built vocabulary–timber frames, natural wood sided forms, and field stone masses–are set against simple interior finishes to underscore the beauty and craftsmanship of the construction techniques and to allow light and space to be focal. A loft and a master bedroom suite give way to a dramatic main volume and hearth generating a feeling of expansiveness within an otherwise efficient and lean program. Time-tested sustainable techniques of solar orientation, natural ventilation, and extensive use of local materials are teamed with newer technologies: SIP construction, radiant heating, high-efficiency appliances and lighting to achieve substantial reductions of the building’s carbon footprint. The house easily achieved Level II Energy Star Certification and scored high in LEED analysis.

This 1500 SF house in the Catskill Mountains is positioned on a gentle slope of rolling farmland and opens to sweeping views of the steep and thickly forested surrounding hillsides. The building uses subtle reinterpretations of vernacular vocabulary to emphasize and participate in the iconic and arcadian beauty of the local context. An intersection of two simple masses with matching pitched roofs is nestled into the hillside, creating a sheltered area between them as it embraces the valley beyond. The most resonant elements of local built vocabulary–timber frames, natural wood sided forms, and field stone masses–are set against simple interior finishes to underscore the beauty and craftsmanship of the construction techniques and to allow light and space to be focal. A loft and a master bedroom suite give way to a dramatic main volume and hearth generating a feeling of expansiveness within an otherwise efficient and lean program. Time-tested sustainable techniques of solar orientation, natural ventilation, and extensive use of local materials are teamed with newer technologies: SIP construction, radiant heating, high-efficiency appliances and lighting to achieve substantial reductions of the building’s carbon footprint. The house easily achieved Level II Energy Star Certification and scored high in LEED analysis.

This 1500 SF house in the Catskill Mountains is positioned on a gentle slope of rolling farmland and opens to sweeping views of the steep and thickly forested surrounding hillsides. The building uses subtle reinterpretations of vernacular vocabulary to emphasize and participate in the iconic and arcadian beauty of the local context. An intersection of two simple masses with matching pitched roofs is nestled into the hillside, creating a sheltered area between them as it embraces the valley beyond. The most resonant elements of local built vocabulary–timber frames, natural wood sided forms, and field stone masses–are set against simple interior finishes to underscore the beauty and craftsmanship of the construction techniques and to allow light and space to be focal. A loft and a master bedroom suite give way to a dramatic main volume and hearth generating a feeling of expansiveness within an otherwise efficient and lean program. Time-tested sustainable techniques of solar orientation, natural ventilation, and extensive use of local materials are teamed with newer technologies: SIP construction, radiant heating, high-efficiency appliances and lighting to achieve substantial reductions of the building’s carbon footprint. The house easily achieved Level II Energy Star Certification and scored high in LEED analysis.

This 1500 SF house in the Catskill Mountains is positioned on a gentle slope of rolling farmland and opens to sweeping views of the steep and thickly forested surrounding hillsides. The building uses subtle reinterpretations of vernacular vocabulary to emphasize and participate in the iconic and arcadian beauty of the local context. An intersection of two simple masses with matching pitched roofs is nestled into the hillside, creating a sheltered area between them as it embraces the valley beyond. The most resonant elements of local built vocabulary–timber frames, natural wood sided forms, and field stone masses–are set against simple interior finishes to underscore the beauty and craftsmanship of the construction techniques and to allow light and space to be focal. A loft and a master bedroom suite give way to a dramatic main volume and hearth generating a feeling of expansiveness within an otherwise efficient and lean program. Time-tested sustainable techniques of solar orientation, natural ventilation, and extensive use of local materials are teamed with newer technologies: SIP construction, radiant heating, high-efficiency appliances and lighting to achieve substantial reductions of the building’s carbon footprint. The house easily achieved Level II Energy Star Certification and scored high in LEED analysis.

A beautiful classic lake house and participant in the CT Zero Energy Challenge, and the U.S. Dept of Energy Builders Challenge, this home includes; sips panels, geothermal heating & cooling with radiant floors,solar hot water, timber & flooring milled from native trees, Insulated pre-cast concrete foundation, HEPA air filtering...

Family room---From a cozy read by the wood stove (behind the camera) to large family gatherings, this family room earns it's keep with a concealed television, sitting nooks, games and a craft table. The leather like large format tile floor is paired with electric resistant radiant heat.

We seek to marry form and function in all we do. Our client, an avid cook, wanted to participate with the other people in the house while cooking, without exposing the process. At 2,200 sf, this single-family home marries traditional craftsman style with modern energy efficiency and design. A Built Green Level 5, the home features an extremely efficient Heat Return Ventilation system, amazing indoor air quality, thermal solar hot water, solar panels, hydronic radiant in-floor heat, warm wood interior detailing, timeless built-in cabinetry, tastefully placed wood coffered ceilings, and expansive views of Commencement Bay and Mt. Rainier that harvest the eastern sunlight for winter heat. photo by: Poppi Photography