Porte-Cottom Residence, Canaan, NY

Nestled in the woods with tranquil views of the Berkshire Mountains, the 1,600 square foot Porte-Cottom house & studio is the home and workplace for a painter and a poet. Its narrow plan opens to daylight and breezes.

The house received the 2008 New York House “Best in Green Building” award. Juror Jack Christmann said, “If you asked me what house I would build as an energy-efficient house, it’s Porte-Cottom because it’s oriented well; it’s optimized on a lot of levels.”

Project Elements:

Efficient, compact living space

Design for aging in place

Durable, natural, low maintenance materials

Passive landscaping

Energy Star appliances

Energy efficient building envelope