Photo by Roger Wade The living room is grand and looks out onto the Wasatch Mountain range. The room reflects Sheldon’s deft use of color and pattern, seen throughout the house, and it contains his signature miniature chairs in front of the coffee table opposite the sofa.

The goal of this project was to build a house that would be energy efficient using materials that were both economical and environmentally conscious. Due to the extremely cold winter weather conditions in the Catskills, insulating the house was a primary concern. The main structure of the house is a timber frame from an nineteenth century barn that has been restored and raised on this new site. The entirety of this frame has then been wrapped in SIPs (structural insulated panels), both walls and the roof. The house is slab on grade, insulated from below. The concrete slab was poured with a radiant heating system inside and the top of the slab was polished and left exposed as the flooring surface. Fiberglass windows with an extremely high R-value were chosen for their green properties. Care was also taken during construction to make all of the joints between the SIPs panels and around window and door openings as airtight as possible. The fact that the house is so airtight along with the high overall insulatory value achieved from the insulated slab, SIPs panels, and windows make the house very energy efficient. The house utilizes an air exchanger, a device that brings fresh air in from outside without loosing heat and circulates the air within the house to move warmer air down from the second floor. Other green materials in the home include reclaimed barn wood used for the floor and ceiling of the second floor, reclaimed wood stairs and bathroom vanity, and an on-demand hot water/boiler system. The exterior of the house is clad in black corrugated aluminum with an aluminum standing seam roof. Because of the extremely cold winter temperatures windows are used discerningly, the three largest windows are on the first floor providing the main living areas with a majestic view of the Catskill mountains.

Architect: Joan Heaton Architects Builder: Silver Maple Construction

Architect: Joan Heaton Architects Builder: Silver Maple Construction

This exceptional log home is remotely located and perfectly situated to complement the natural surroundings. The home fully utilizes its spectacular views. Our design for the homeowners blends elements of rustic elegance juxtaposed with modern clean lines. It’s a sensational space where the rugged, tactile elements highlight the contrasting modern finishes.

Photography by Cesar Rubio

Photo by Chase Daniel

A modern glass fireplace an Ortal Space Creator 120 organically separates this sunken den and dining room. A set of three glazed vases in shades of amber, chartreuse and olive stand on the cream concrete hearth. Wide flagstone steps capped with oak slabs lead the way to the dining room. The base of the espresso stained dining table is accented with zebra wood and rests on an ombre rug in shades of soft green and orange. The table’s centerpiece is a hammered pot filled with greenery. Hanging above the table is a striking modern light fixture with glass globes. The ivory walls and ceiling are punctuated with warm, honey stained alder trim. Orange piping against a tone on tone chocolate fabric covers the dining chairs paying homage to the warm tones of the stained oak floor. The ebony chair legs coordinate with the black of the baby grand piano which stands at the ready for anyone eager to play the room a tune.

Simon Hurst Photography

Troy Thies Photography

Boys bedroom and loft study Photo: Rob Karosis

Photography: Jerry Markatos Builder: James H. McGinnis, Inc. Interior Design: Sharon Simonaire Design, Inc.

Courtney Naughton

Wright-Built