The project “All Wood, All the Time” is a lakefront residence in northwestern Connecticut—an innovative home designed and built using wood, “the most sustainable building material we have,” according to studio OPAL, who led the project.

The environmental benefits of using wood are substantial. It naturally sequesters carbon throughout its lifespan and requires only solar energy to produce itself, which dramatically reduces the building’s carbon footprint. Utilizing cross-laminated timber (CLT) for its structural system and wood fiber-based products for insulation, the entire home represents environmentally conscious building.

The build replaced a seasonal cottage situated between the road and the lakeshore, and a major challenge OPAL had to address was the strict limits on its footprint and height. “We responded with a single-level design that concentrates its volume in a combined kitchen, dining, and living space,” says the studio. Two super-efficient private spaces—a bedroom suite and a guest room—were positioned on the east and west sides, while a cleverly stepped façade was oriented toward the lake. From inside, residents enjoy views of the water through floor-to-ceiling windows, while a skylight cuts through the roof above the living area. The furnishings and lighting features are contemporary and elegant, embracing a minimalist aesthetic.

Prefabricated solid-lumber panels form the structural walls, ceilings, and roof elements, left exposed in the interiors so their natural, unfinished beauty can shine. Meanwhile, the outer CLT shell is wrapped with rigid wood fiber insulation boards, achieving Passive House-level energy efficiency. Tesla’s Solar Roof and Powerwall technology were also incorporated into the build, minimizing the home’s dependency on the power grid. More projects by studio OPAL.

Photography © Trent Bell