Project at a Glance: The Northeast Kingdom Net-Zero Farmhouse
Location: Burke area, Northeast Kingdom, Vermont.
Site Setting: South-facing high-meadow hillside with panoramic mountain and valley views.
Project Type: New Custom Home (Rustic Modern Farmhouse).
Design Philosophy: Net-Zero, All-Electric, Biophilic Design (Nature-Connected).
Key Features: Exposed timber framing, multi-level zoning for privacy, and a future-ready garage/barn ADU.
Sustainability: High-performance insulation, solar array with battery backup, air-to-air heat pumps, and locally sourced stone and timber.
A progress construction photo from the owner.
Where is this new project?
Arocordis Design likes to create stunning rustic and modern custom homes for clients in Vermont. Here we share this new project in the Burke area in the Northeast Kingdom. We began the design of this rustic modern farmhouse at the start of 2023 and finished recently. The owner-builder started the site and concrete foundation work in the late summer and fall of 2023. Construction continues into 2025 and will likely end in 2026.
See a recent photo above we made of the work in progress earlier last spring. It was great to see how far along the owner-builder had taken the project.
Sustainable home design is very popular in our state because it appeals to Vermonters’ environmental ethos and classic working landscape traditions. At Arocordis Design, we strive to design eco-friendly homes attuned to the land, local site, and views, and attuned to family living patterns.
What kind of site and setting did it have?
In 2022, the family recently bought land on a high-meadow hillside overlooking a nearby village hollow and mountains beyond. They asked us to design their new three-bedroom home and garage barn to nestle into its hilly site. They also asked us to maximize views and solar orientation to the south.
In progress shot from the northeast, photo by the owner.
Panorama of the home site area. The driveway will come up the left side of the photo to the homesite.
The home site can really affect its energy efficiency and performance. For a home like this, the optimal site orientation is south-facing, allowing for maximum exposure to sunlight that roof mounted or ground mounted solar panels can harness. This orientation allows us to design in passive solar design features. Large windows on the south-facing side of the home allow ample daylight to inside living spaces and ventilation. This reduces the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning, especially with the use of interior ceiling fans to move air.
Birdseye view of the home fitting into its site while also showing solar orientation.
Designing a home to fit into a hillside requires a careful understanding of the site's topography and structural stability. The multi-level layout of this design follows the natural slope of the site and concrete retaining walls and terraces.
Those help reinforce the site's structural stability while creating visually appealing outdoor living spaces. On the uphill side, a forest glade invites views to the inside, while the downslope side presents faraway southern views.
South western view showing how the home fits into the site with a walkout basement.
How is the owner-building using locally sourcd sustainable materials?
Using locally sourced materials in construction is crucial. It reduces transportation costs and supports the local economy. This home will use locally sourced materials as much as possible, such as stone, locally milled wood, and concrete, adding to its sustainability and rustic charm. Buying local like this supports neighboring businesses and their families and keeps money in the area. A win for the region.
How did we design and space plan family friendly living zones?
We know the importance of creating a family-friendly home and how it can adapt to the changing needs of a growing family. Our client asked us to provide a multi-level layout design with separate spaces for different activities. This ensures a sense of privacy and personal space in some areas while others bring family and friends together in more social ways. To achieve this, we designed the home into key zones.
First Floor Plan
Zone 1
The south-facing free-flowing open-concept first-floor living area is perfect for family gatherings and entertaining guests, with a home office and a dedicated kid's playroom and family entertainment downstairs.
Zone 2
A north-facing first-floor main bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet balances out the first floor with a central stair connecting all the levels.
Zone 3
Outdoor living spaces, including the terraces and landscaped yards around the home, provide ample space for outdoor activities and relaxation.
The exposed timber frame on the inside is a hallmark of rustic modern home design. It adds warmth, texture, and interior character. The locally sourced timber frame also supplies structural support, allowing for an open-concept layout, creating a sense of spaciousness and freedom.
Down the road the attached barn and garage may come to include an accessory dwelling unit or apartment upstairs. Often our clients will leave the upstairs garage loft space unfinished but rough in some of the needed power and plumbing. This makes it easier and much less expensive and faster to retrofit later.
What ways did we maximize daylighting, views and connections to nature?
Access to natural light and stunning views of the surrounding landscape is crucial to sustainable home design. That is because it helps improve the health and well-being of occupants, as shown by the phenomenon of biophilia, of connecting with natural forces like the sun, air, vegetation, and more. With this home, we designed its face south towards the sun and a nearby historic church steeple two hundred yards away. We also designed the home to supply ample natural light and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It creates a strong connection to nature, both upslope in more intimate forested groves, and down slope with open expansive views of surrounding hills and valleys.
A rendering of the rustic modern farmhouse kitchen.
What is NetZero Design?
The client asked us to design the home to a net-zero all electric standards. Doing so will further enhance its sustainable design and climate-friendly attitude. Net-zero home design is an approach to designing and building homes that minimizes energy use and reduces negative effects on our environment.
The concept of a net-zero home means that the house generates as much energy as it uses over the course of a year. We achieve this by incorporating various energy-efficient features, such as a well-insulated exterior wall and roof enclosure, high-performing energy-efficient windows and doors, air-to-air-heat pumps, and the use of renewable energy sources like solar panels and whole-home batteries. The homeowner will hopefully work with Efficiency Vermont to reap the benefit of rebates and finacial incentives from reaching higher than average energy efficiency performance levels. Or perhaps they can take advantage of Two ways finance their project or aspects of it with them.
View from living area to the south east.
A rendering of the rustic modern farmhouse dining room.
High-performing windows and doors will help maintain consistent temperatures throughout the year. The home will also use solar panels and whole-home batteries to generate its electricity needs and will store unused electricity for later use. All of this will reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Sustainable landscaping and site design: How will it get included?
This sustainable forever home design will incorporate natural native low-water-use planting. This reduces the demand for water. That reduces the demand for local water resources. This approach will also help create a healthier ecosystem by promoting biodiversity and resiliency.
A rendering of the rustic modern farmhouse exterior.
The family will install low-water usage toilets, showers, and bath fixtures. They will use a pair of energy efficient washer and dryer, and other kitchen appliances such as an electric-induction cooktop instead of propane.
Upstairs showing central stair, skylights and connections to nearby bedrooms and bath.
Overall, the net-zero aspects of this project will create a family-friendly sustainable forever home that also contributes positively to the local Vermont community by reducing its environmental impact, using local materials, and hiring local craftspeople. By adopting these sustainable design practices, we can all help create a better for this family and future generations.
What is going on with the project now?
Currently, the project is in the middle stages of construction. Its construction timeline may span over the next one to two and a half years. During this time, the owner-builder family will have moved back to Vermont from out west, where they will live nearby with family. They will build this home and work elsewhere at other jobs. Their kids will go to nearby schools. This will help them to fully immerse themselves in the construction process, bringing their dream home to life with their own hands while being close to family and friends.
The net-zero rustic modern home design here integrates sustainability, family-friendly functionality, a strong connection to nature, and NetZero design. At Arocordis Design, we strive to create homes like this that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally conscious and functional and blend well into their sites. We look forward to sharing upcoming progress on this northeastern Vermont project.
Learn more
Want to learn more or are you interested in our modern-inspired professional residential architecture design and planning services? If so, click the "Learn More" button below. Tell us more about how we can help. Follow us on Instagram or Twitter, where we post more timely project updates.
We also have other case studies or recent project work examples for you to read more about if you wish. Please click on the below button to visit our project portfolio. They range from small 1,000 square foot modern homes like ZigZag House 2, Multi-generational Modern Farmhouse, Wing House and more.