RGR designed a new house in the Catskill community of Rensselaerville, NY on a 180-acre wooded site. The house features large expanses of glass to frame views of the surrounding woodlands and meadows. Situated on a southeast-facing slope, the house takes advantage of prevailing breezes during the summer while being protected from the harsh northwest winds during the winter. The linear structure, oriented on an east–west axis, is organized with the living spaces along the south façade and the support spaces along the north façade. The roof overhangs and sunshades were crafted to provide shade from the high-angle summer sun but allow the low-angle winter sun to penetrate the rooms along the south façade. Photovoltaic panels, mounted on the roof, provide electricity and flat panels provide hot water for the domestic hot water system. The exterior red cedar siding and mahogany decks were treated with natural oils for solar protection rather than with paint or stain and the roofing material is “self-healing” lead coated copper.
