What does it mean to design a house harmonising with its natural surroundings while embracing cutting-edge sustainability? CLT House, nestled in a forest clearing near a serene lake in Dutchess County, New York, answers this question with innovation and sensitivity. Designed by Brooklyn-based nARCHITECTS, this 2,200-square-foot, two-story home is a testament to progressive sustainability, material efficiency and thoughtful integration with its environment.

From its inception, the project aimed to create a light ecological footprint. By situating the house 200 feet from the lake, the architects preserved the natural shoreline and reduced its impact on the surrounding habitat. Removed trees were replaced with a diverse selection of species, enriching the ecosystem. Additionally, invasive water plants were cleared to improve the lake’s flow and water quality, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the site’s natural health.

The house’s primary construction material, cross-laminated timber (CLT), is a sustainable choice gaining traction in the United States. Known for its ecological benefits, fire resistance and structural efficiency, CLT forms the walls, floors and roof of the house. The material also offers a warm, natural aesthetic, celebrated throughout the home’s interior. Installation of these prefabricated panels took just 11 days, resting on concrete foundation walls that were set in under a week. This rapid assembly minimised disturbance to the site and its neighbours, embodying a philosophy of low-impact construction.

The rise of cross-laminated timber in American architecture represents a broader shift towards progressive, eco-conscious building practices. While this material has been extensively used in Europe for decades, its adoption in the United States is relatively recent. Projects like these showcase how this technology is now being integrated not only into large-scale commercial architecture but also into residential design, signalling a new chapter for sustainable construction in urban and rural settings.

The exterior of CLT House balances contemporary design with age-old practices. Its faceted volume is wrapped in live-edge cedar siding, an untreated cladding technique that dates back to early settlers. Known as wany board, this method leaves the natural edge of the wood intact, giving the house a textured, organic appearance. Over time, the cedar will weather differently depending on orientation and canopy coverage, further blending the structure into its environment. The use of untreated cedar connects the residence to the vernacular architecture rooted in American craftsmanship. Historically, this technique reflected a practical response to resource availability as settlers utilised every part of the tree. In CLT House, this traditional approach takes on a modern significance, celebrating the material’s natural beauty. The raw cedar invites the elements to shape its patina over time, adding another layer of narrative to the home’s connection with its environment.

Sustainability is embedded in every aspect of the sustainable architecture project. The building integrates high-efficiency energy systems, including geothermal wells paired with a radiant floor system for heating and cooling. Rooftop solar panels generate surplus electricity, ensuring the house operates with net-positive energy. These measures, combined with its compact footprint and resource-efficient materials, highlight a commitment to progressive environmental stewardship.

Inside, the house reveals a balance between materiality and design. The monolithic use of CLT for walls, floors and ceilings creates a cohesive and immersive environment. To counterbalance the wood’s natural tones, custom metal accents introduce pops of colour and texture. A sculptural staircase, light fixtures resembling vines and a striking kitchen island are among the elements that add a contemporary flair. Large windows and sliding doors frame panoramic views of the forest and lake, immersing occupants in the surrounding landscape.

The layout of this private residence is both functional and poetic. The first floor features open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas organised around a central core housing a bathroom and mechanical room. On the second floor, a plus-shaped plan divides the space into a study, three bedrooms and a second bathroom. Double-height voids at each corner connect the levels, creating dramatic vertical spaces anchored by features like a wood-burning stove. One corner might house a cosy reading nook while another frames an uninterrupted view of the lake. These spaces connect the levels visually and create moments of intimacy within the home, offering varied settings for reflection, creativity or relaxation. Skylights clad with mirrored interior panels bring dynamic light into these corners, reflecting the shifting daylight like a clock’s hands moving through the day.

The home also carries forward ideas from nARCHITECTS’ earlier work. The spatial organisation recalls the firm’s unbuilt 2008 Villa-Villa concept for the Ordos 100 project in Inner Mongolia, curated by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. While that initiative explored larger-scale forms, CLT House reinterpreted these ideas at a more modest and sustainable scale, demonstrating the firm’s ability to adapt and innovate across contexts.

The studio’s approach to design is grounded in social and environmental resilience. Founded in 1999 by Eric Bunge and Mimi Hoang with projects spanning public spaces, cultural institutions and private residences, the American architects have carved out a practice that aligns architecture with the evolving needs of society and the planet. Recognised with numerous accolades, including the National Design Award in Architecture from the Cooper Hewitt and the Smithsonian Design Museum, the studio continues to push boundaries with residential architecture projects like these.

CLT House is not just a private retreat, it offers lessons for a wider community of homeowners, architects and developers. By demonstrating the potential of sustainable materials and low-impact building techniques, the project encourages others to consider how thoughtful design can address environmental concerns while enhancing daily life. Yet, it challenges us to ask: Can such projects move from being singular examples to redefining what homebuilding looks like on a larger scale?