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The exterior features Western red cedar siding and a standing-seam metal roof. The home is engineered to meet Passive House standards, with Makrowin Passive House Certified windows and blown mineral wool and cellulose insulation.

This pool house in Connecticut was fashioned from two shipping containers, bedecked in well-lit cedar, which contrasts beautifully with the blue of the water.

Each of the four bedrooms present a calming aesthetic, similar to the main living spaces.

Lower floor plan of The Lofthouse by Drew + Tarah MacAlmon

Upper floor plan of The Lofthouse by Drew + Tarah MacAlmon

"We love that our multipurpose space can act as a venue for productivity and collaboration in The Loft, while The House invites rest, relaxation, and connection as guests unplug at a quiet retreat in the woods," says Tarah. "The cherry on top is that we can do this from our own backyard, with our kids playing a special role in maintaining the property and hosting guests alongside us."

There are plenty of opportunities for guests to engage with the surrounding landscape, from cosy fire pits to hammocks strung between trees.

"I think the strong, simple, unrefined setting of nature all around The Lofthouse forces you into a different state of mind," says Tarah MacAlmon. "There is something that happens mentally when you aren’t on your own man-made turf anymore. You are on nature’s turf, and there really is a certain awe and even pause that comes with that."

The primary bathroom was completely redone, with a floating vanity finished in travertine from Elements Room and a freestanding tub and faucets by Kohler.

The architects reimagined the office with oak cabinetry and new shelving.

Sitting eight feet off the ground, Erica and Eduardo Heidenreich’s island retreat in the Paraná River delta, north of Buenos Aires, is built to withstand the remote wetland’s periodic flooding.

Floor plan of Big Top by The Ranch Mine

The primary bedroom mimics the wraparound windows of the great room.

In the evening, the glass-clad home glows from within, an inviting presence in the forest. While the interior is highly visible, the trees and landscaping on the sloped site offer privacy for the residents.

Outdoor picnic table made from upcycled lumber.

It took a total of 24 days to install the unit. “We prefabricated the framing, the insulation, and the waterproof sheeting, which are all panelized so all that the contractors had to assemble was the interior finish and the exterior siding,” says Lee.

south elevation

The architects dropped the floor of the lower level to create 10-foot-tall ceilings. The existing den and master bedroom now serve as a media room furnished with an Eero Saarinen table from Knoll, Bruno Hansen chairs, and an Original Timber Co. bench.