The sun came first; everything else followed. Redesigned in 2010 by Smith & Vansant Architects, this south-facing contemporary in the hills of Norwich was shaped around light. Passive solar siting, 37 photovoltaic panels, and near-net-zero performance reflect an approach that values efficiency as much as design. At the center of the open living space, a Finnish Tulikivi soapstone woodstove radiates slow, even warmth, while cold-climate mini-split heat pumps provide cooling and backup heat for year-round comfort. The main level is open, bright, and connected, with a kitchen and living area filled with natural light, a separate study, and a half bath. Upstairs, flexible bedroom arrangements span two levels, anchored by a primary suite with a walk-in closet and private balcony overlooking the gardens. The gardens are the second act. Designed with Ben Falk of Whole Systems Design, the landscape unfolds through winding stone paths, terraces, a small pond, perennial beds, and an edible landscape with apple and pear orchards. French doors open to an oversized deck, a stone patio, and a screened porch overlooking the confluence of two brooks. An outdoor shower feels exactly right here. Three additional buildings expand how the property can be used. A post-and-beam studio includes a kitchen, bath, and an artist's workspace overlooking the orchard. A rustic writer's cabin offers a woodstove, sleeping lofts, a porch, and a Swedish composting toilet. Farther along a woodland trail, a tiny house sits above the beaver pond, offering another quiet place to retreat. The barn adds two parking bays, a workshop, and generous storage. More than ten private acres are bordered on three sides by conserved land, including Norwich Town Forest, Upper Valley Land Trust holdings, and the Appalachian Trail corridor. Walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing begin just beyond the door. This isn't a house that borrows Scandinavian ideas. It lives, them through light, warmth, thoughtful restraint.
10.3 Private Acres Lot Size
single family home
Built in 2010
MLS/Listing ID 5100374
Construction - Wood
Poured Concrete
Ceiling Fans
Lot - Lowland
Lot - Rural
Lot - Stream
Heating - Wood
Heating - Passive Solar
Heating - Heat Pump
Exhaust Fan
Gas Range
Refrigerator
Washer
Heating - Wood Stove
Heating - Zoned
Tile
Natural Wood
Balcony
Deck
Garden
Storage
Construction - Wood Frame
Construction - Wood Siding
Style - Cape Cod
Dryer
Porch
Parking - Detached
Parking - Driveway
Parking - Garage
Parking - On Site
Parking - Unpaved
Lot - Landscaped
Lot - Level
Exposure Shade
Walk-in Closets
Skylights
Dining Area
Cathedral Ceilings
Lot - Wooded
Lot - Wetlands
Lot - Views
Lot - Sloped
Lot - Secluded
Lot - Private
Lot - Open Lot
TOTAL MONTHLY COST
$0
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