Private house

A young-at-heart retired couple found a steep wooded site with a wonderful view that was affordable because it was almost unbuildable due to zoning restrictions. They imagined a tree house up in the woods. The lower level is trimmed to resemble a platform supported on wood sticks, a bit like the Osprey nests in the nearby Connecticut River marshlands. Inside, fanciful wood trusses support the high ceiling of the 1,550 square foot house, making the interior feel expansive and bright. The house, which can be made fully accessible, is energy efficient thanks to its passive solar orientation, natural daylighting, and superior insulation.