Via listing agency | Welcome to Haiku House, a Japanese design-inspired, open-plan home nestled in the gentle hills above the quaint hamlet of Rensselaerville surrounded by 53 acres of hardwood forest (on 3 parcels with 1,900 feet of road frontage) and a delightful 8-acre, spring-fed pond. The hand-built timber frame house includes a 3-bay detached garage/workshop and a timber frame guest cabin.
Conceived in collaboration with architects and builders from Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Vermont, the design showcases site-harvested cherry trees supporting the timber framed ceiling assembled by master timber framer Josh Jackson. The front porch looks out over mature gardens and a 26-foot stream ending in a recirculating waterfall.
Generous windows and skylights keep the house flooded with natural light while deep overhangs block harsh sun. Light and air play through the open spaces of this home creating a sense of refuge and filling it with peace and creative energy.
The walk-out lower level serves double duty as a guest suite and art studio. Downstairs bonuses include the full bath, laundry, sauna room and workshop. A high-efficiency boiler served by a concealed 1,000-gallon propane tank provides domestic hot water and under-floor radiant heating on both levels. Or choose the cozy option of a wood fire to warm you on chilly nights.
An off-grid timber frame, cedar-shingled cabin with cedar deck (built around a live tree) sits at the edge of the large pond, accessed by a trail through the woods, across a 70-foot-long hand-built wooden bridge, past giant pines, cherry and other varied species of trees, ferns and sapling. Three sides of windows and sliding glass doors make for a luxurious way to return to nature, sans electricity or running water. Enjoy the privacy and sounds of nature through all four seasons.
The detached 3-bay garage was designed for car restoration, featuring a full concrete floor, more than 20 feet of built-in workbench and a loft above for storage. The third bay is full-height and ready for a lift.
Minutes from the charming village of Rensselaerville, Haiku House is 2.5 hours drive time from Manhattan and 45 minutes from either Hudson Amtrak or Albany International Airport.
Currently listed at $890,000, see the full listing here.
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