The small house is metaphorically a box of trees carved into the forest next to Squam Lake (“On Golden Pond”). About the forest, it was built from the forest, with the health of future forests in mind.
The Passive House envelope was prefabricated offsite using fiber-based products (and a little bit of steel). Within the oak interior grow parametric, digitally-fabricated trees that define spaces and bring in light and ventilation. The Boat House – lying, growing, built alongside – is similarly about trees, and about boats, and about our relationship with the forests.
Complex yet quiet, the house embraces technology layered with craft and is an exploration of techniques to solve to diverse design and fabrication problems in other work.
Photos by Cheryl Watson and Alchemy Architects
View more information on this Passive House design in the Passive House Database.