The Catskill forest comes right up to the doors of this poolhouse located in the hills outside of Woodstock, NY. At 2,000 square feet and only 18 feet wide, this slim building fits between the towering trees and contains a 60 foot indoor lap pool, spa bathroom, exercise room, and a covered deck that steps down to the forest floor.
Providing a private retreat for the owner and guests, North River’s design concept opens up the building to the outdoors on every façade. In colder months, triple-pane glass doors keep the rooms airy and bright while significantly conserving energy. Passive House principles of airtightness and insulation substantially reduce the energy required to keep the building and the pool comfortable year-round.
Materials were selected for their durability and beauty, and include sapele wood flooring, decks and ceilings, locally sourced limestone floors, waterproof plaster walls, standing seam Galvalume roofing, and custom milled Eastern White Pine siding and timbers, most of which was harvested from the building site.
Harmony Builders’ expertise, care, and experience in high-performance buildings were integral to the success of this project.
Field Mag, October 2018
North River Architecture’s Hidden Poolhouse Outside NYC Is A Dream Realized
Centor Case Study
A private retreat for connecting with the beautiful world
Project Team:
North River Architecture and Planning – Architect
Harmony Builders – General Construction Contractor
Kaaterskill Associates – Structural Engineer
Group Works, LLC – Pool Designer