Honorable Mention: International Architecture Awards 2024
Fremont House | Roscoe, New York, USA | 2023

Architects: Marc Thorpe Design
Client: Private
Photographers: Marco Petrini

The Fremont house is nestled amongst the trees deep within the Western Catskill Mountains. Located close to the town of Roscoe, the Fremont house is an off-grid 100% solar powered home sitting quietly in harmony with its environment. We set out to develop a traditional residential program in 1000 sqft including 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, Living, Dining, Kitchen, Storage, Utility and Terrace. This allows for the separation of public and private spaces, living and dining on the ground level and bedrooms up above. The intention behind the house was to design and build an affordable contemporary home with integrated sustainable technology.

We believe that we need to take responsibility for our energy consumption by taking control of our own power. Tomorrow will be less so we focus on quality not quantity. Our goal is to build a future systemically integrated with nature for ourselves, our children and future generations. The house is designed with a belief in individuality and self-reliance. This architecture is an internalized place defined by the harmony of our existence with nature. In this sense, architecture becomes timeless. The work transcends the physical realm to become part of us, holistic and eternal. This architecture is systemically connected to the environment through ecologically sustainable technology and infrastructure, self-sustaining and independent.

The Fremont House is an architecture of responsibility and respect for our environment and ourselves. - Marc Thorpe. Our Solar technology is provided by Solar Generation. Rooted in the rugged beauty of the Hudson Valley of New York, Solar Generation has been helping communities and the environment from the beginning. Founders, Todd and Jason, wanted to capture the independent, creative spirit of the region by delivering bespoke first-in-class solar installations. And along the way help our environment. Paul, President of Solar Generation, wishes to carry this legacy forward into the next decade and beyond. Paul has lived in the Mid-Hudson Valley for over 20 years, spending the majority of his professional life in the renewable and cleantech industries.

He, along with the rest of the team, plan to carry on their dedicated mindset for the wellbeing of our community. Solar Generations goal is to make going solar seamless and affordable. They are invested in the prosperity of our community, through local and global goodwill projects, as well as solar farm project developments within the Hudson Valley. Solar Generation believes that renewable energy is important and necessary. It’s about diversifying; it’s about independence; it’s about sustainability, it’s about saving money; it’s about preserving resources; and it’s about future generations. Additional Information from interview:

1) Can you tell us a little about the client? Is it a family? A couple? The house was designed and built for myself and wife Claire Pijoulat. We had purchased the 5 acre property in the West Catskills over 10 years ago. Subsequently we have watched the surrounding area transform into a vibrant arts, design and culinary destination. We noticed that there was an extremely high demand for housing with very little supply. (A condition across the entire country). This inspired us to create a house that was minimal in design but purposeful. Efficient programming and cost effective planning while remaining 100% off grid. How exciting would it be if everyone could afford a modest home powered by the sun? This was the question we asked ourselves and in the Fall of 2021 we started construction to realize this dream. …..Not the best time financially to tie up your money ; )

2) Is this a vacation home? The house was designed with the intent to use year round. In fact, we have been splitting our time between our apt in NYC and the Fremont house pretty equally. This newly instituted urban / rural balance has been instrumental in our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

3) I see other structures on the property. What are those, and did you design them? Yes, our first experiment of off-grid living began back in 2019 with the construction of the Edifice Cabin. This is a 500 sqft space designed to be completely self-sustaining through the utilization of solar, water harvesting and composting. This project acted as the catalyst which propelled us to scale up the idea into a fully functional home. For more on the Edifice please find below and article by Jenna McKnight! https://www.dezeen.com/2020/02/08/edifice-cabin-marc-thorpe-upstate-new-york/

4) What material was used for the exterior cladding? Looks like some type of charred wood. The house is clad in Douglas fir and stained a dark charcoal grey. This color tone was selected in an effort to retain heat. Dark colored buildings retain 70-90 percent of the radiant energy of the sun. The west Catskills remain moderately cool all year so holding onto heat is key.

5) What materials were used for the structural frame? The house is constructed out of 100% locally sourced lumber.

6) The roof is slightly pitched, correct? Yes, the roof is pitched towards the south for the solar array maximizing sun exposure throughout the day.

7) The upstairs contains two bedrooms and a bathroom, correct? Yes, the house is 1000 sqft, 2 bedroom 1 bath which is the exact average of a home in the 1950’s in America. Today the average American home is more than double at 2500 sqft. We find this emblematic of America’s consumer driven, capitalist zoned, mass consumption drunken stupor. The all gas no brakes attitude in this country needs to stop. This house speaks directly to these issues permeating American society.

8) Can you name some of the interior finishes. For instance: Flooring: Oak Flooring Walls: Rockwool Insulated Sheetrock Kitchen cabinetry and countertops: Quartz countertop

9) Did you select the decor? If so, can you name a few key pieces? Yes, Claire and I have the equivalent of a MoMA curatorial meeting any time an object finds its way into the house. Some key pieces are the Togo by Ligne Roset, Vintage Thonet pieces found locally, Noguchi lamps and some of my design work for Moroso, Nanimarquina and Venini. We also have unique art and design pieces from Keep Brooklyn, Joe Doucet as well as family members Suzanne Pijoulat Photography and Jim Thorpe artwork.

10) How many kW is the solar array? We have 16 solar panels producing around 400 watts each. This produces between 1.5 kilowatt-hours and 2.4 kWh of electricity per day.

11) You mention that the home was affordable. Can you give us the cost per square foot — or provide other details re. the affordability angle? The house is built on a 20’ x 25’ concrete slab. This keeps the footprint of the house to a 500 sqft rectangle with a second floor bringing the total livable space to 1000 sqft. In short, the house is designed with programmatic efficiency in mind. The proportions of the walls, ceiling and roof are based on standard supply dimensions which keep labor and material costs down.

Because the house is also a compact rectilinear shape this reduces airflow resistance and creates a positive pressure difference between the windward and leeward sides, which drive airflow through the building, meaning its energy efficient, not that there is a heating, cooling or electric bill anyway ; ) We are actively planning our next off grid solar powered house in North Branch NY under the company name Edifice Upstate, edificeupstate.com. Each house we design and build will be site specific, unique in character and always 100% solar powered. Towards an Architecture of responsibility!