The River House Private Residence is nestled on 1.1 acres along the picturesque banks of the Westport River in Massachusetts. This extraordinary fossil-fuel-free structure creates an idyllic setting for an unparalleled living experience. With its solar crescent form, River House invites an abundance of natural daylight to flood the interior.
River House encompasses five bedrooms, accommodating large family conclaves. The interior spaces exude an ambiance of warmth and elegance. Framed by magnificent two-story-high glass enclosures, the living areas provide a breathtaking panorama of the horizon, fostering a connection to the landscape, waterscape, and atmosphere. The design thoughtfully centers around the south axis and the heart of the river, enhancing the relationship between the living areas and the natural environment.
Throughout the house, teak is skillfully integrated into the cabinetry. At the heart of the design lies the Russian Doll Temple, a teak structure within the living room that serves as a conversational alcove, enveloping occupants in comfort. The temple is adorned with plush upholstery and features a kitchen on one side and a wet bar on the other.
The River House’s architectural concept celebrates the wood frame’s beauty, unveiling its elegance through a rational and resolved series of repetitions and intersections. The roof of the residence further enhances the luminosity, incorporating an extraordinary 11-layered transparent polycarbonate material of German origin achieving optimal roof insulation values.
With a strong focus on passive solar design, the residence harnesses the sun’s warmth, storing it within the concrete slab for radiant heating. Natural ventilation serves as the primary cooling source. The radiant floors and fan coils are supported by two heat pumps that utilize 50-degree water supplied by four geothermal wells, each drilled to a depth of 300 feet. Solar arrays generate electricity, driving the heat pumps and fulfilling the house’s electrical needs.
Category:Private HomesYear:2021Location:Westport, Massachusetts, USAArchitects: Jonathan Levi ArchitectsLead Architects:Jonathan LeviContractor:Kevin Cordiero, Westport, Massachusetts, USAClient: Jonathan Levi FAIAPhotographer: Scott Frances
