Located on a 6-acre wooded site in rural Pennsylvania, Bucks Retreat is a new-build residence that prioritizes deep connection to the outdoors, generous spaces to facilitate the gathering of family and friends, and the seamless integration of passive and mechanical sustainable design technologies to reduce energy consumption. The home, a weekend retreat an hour’s drive from Philadelphia, was designed to be a quiet sanctuary that encourages inhabitants to connect with each other and with the natural world in a meaningful way.

Gracious living spaces, anchored by a double-sided wood-burning fireplace, are located in the primary volume and feature south-facing window walls that provide sweeping views of the pool, sauna, firepit, gardens, and wooded site beyond. A single-story guest wing, positioned perpendicularly to the main volume, is organized along a glass-walled corridor that frames outdoor space and enhances the sense of connection to the landscape. Remotely located in the attic level of the main volume, a spa-like primary suite utilizes large dormer windows to increase available floor area and facilitate dramatic tree-top views. Throughout, a restrained palette of natural materials limited to slate, white oak, and limewash paint fosters an overall feeling of tranquility and calm.