Catskill Residence

Catskill, NY

A New York City based family purchased land in the Catskills with a dream of building a modern farmhouse with an industrial feel. Concurrently, River Architects was sketching concept houses, summarizing the requests that most families tend to make when relocating to the Hudson Valley.

Our Clients decided to move forward with one of our concept designs with added customization, such as bespoke millwork throughout, concrete countertops, and a detailed laundry and mudroom. They were enthusiastic about incorporating Passive House principles into the home.

The 4,600 SF scale of the project was ideal for utilizing Bensonwood panels, where high-performance and low embodied-energy panels are made in factory conditions, including preinstalled windows and doors and the weather-tight skin. The benefit is that the work is completed in a controlled setting, reducing the risks and delays of on-site construction. The cost of manufacturing and installing exterior panels, interior rough framing, entry canopy, and temporary stairs was less than 22% of the total construction cost.

The airtight, high-efficiency building envelope is expected to hit Net Zero performance.

The home is as graceful as it is efficient. Natural cedar rainscreen siding will gray over time. Elegant light fixtures, furniture, custom millwork and finishes truly helped add warmth to the interior of the house. Outdoor spaces include a generous wrap around deck and covered trellis area for alfresco dining. Sound-isolated floors and acoustically insulated interior walls were added for further aural comfort.

Photos by White Water Images

Photos by Pamela R. Cook