The six-acre site, bordered by federally protected land, offers rare proximity to the river but sits within a flood-prone terrain. Over time, a series of dikes created a physical and visual barrier between the land and the water. The design responds by reworking the ground itself, subtly regrading the site to lift the building plane, improve drainage, and restore views to the river.

From this new datum, the house unfolds as a series of low, connected volumes organized around a central primary suite, with additional bedrooms and shared living spaces extending outward. Indoor and outdoor rooms are closely paired, allowing daily life to move fluidly between shelter and landscape.

Material choices reinforce a sense of permanence and restraint. Locally sourced limestone grounds the structure, while expansive glazing introduces lightness and openness. High-performance systems, including triple-pane glazing, a super-insulated envelope, photovoltaic arrays, and an open-loop heat pump exchange that conditions the home using the river’s hydrology, respond to the demands of Climate Zone 7. Strategically sited, the property preserves and enhances surrounding wetlands, wildlife habitat, and native vegetation.

The result is a home that is both resilient and enduring, rooted in its landscape and designed for generations along the river.