Clad in natural wood and dark siding, the modern home balances striking architecture with sustainable design, creating a highperformance residence that feels warm and welcoming. | Photographs by NAT REA

Into the Woods: A Design Team Creates a Sustainable Home Surrounded by Nature

ZeroEnergy Design create a high-performance family home that pairs sustainability with everyday comfort.

Jennifer SperryJuly 22, 2026

When a couple with two young kids moved from California to Massachusetts, they hunted for houses but couldn’t find anything that checked all their wishlist boxes. But what they did find was a beautiful lot in the suburbs filled with mature and interesting specimen trees that backs up to an Audubon preserve. The atmosphere provided some privacy in a welcoming neighborhood and natural beauty galore. The only problem was its existing 1970s-era ranch. Knowing the structure wasn’t suitable for their lifestyle goals, they assembled industry pros capable of reimagining the property from the ground up. They chose a dream team of ZeroEnergy Design

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Into the Woods: A Design Team Creates a Sustainable Home Surrounded by Nature

ZeroEnergy Design create a high-performance family home that pairs sustainability with everyday comfort.

Keep Reading — It's Free to Join