Nestled in a secluded spot on a wooded site in the Catskills, architect Marc Thorpe’s Forest Edge House offers a refined version of off grid living. The 1,500-square-foot home cuts a cloaked silhouette, blending quietly into the tree line, its exterior clad in pine. The house is arranged across two levels, the interior prioritizing openness and light to achieve a meditative sense of calm. Well positioned windows create a relaxed connection to the outdoors.

Inside, the main space of the home is defined by the open living, kitchen and dining area, the social heart of the home framed by long views into the surrounding canopy through large picture windows. Extending from the interior, the 25-foot cantilevered steel deck is perhaps the standout feature of the home, a sculptural statement that reaches into the forest. Completely off grid, the home runs entirely on solar power, with panels covering the roof and walls of the exterior, camouflaged against the charred cladding. 

Taking cues from the agricultural vernacular of the Catskills, the Forest Edge House feels right at home in the forest, a balance of architectural philosophy and style. Grounded in the forest, the relatively simple structure disguises a degree of radical self-reliance in a home that is equal parts cabin, studio, and woodland sanctuary. 

Photography © Clay Banks