marc thorpe’s off-grid residence reaches into new york forest
In the wooded slopes of New York’s western Catskills, Marc Thorpe Design completes Forest Edge House, a self-sufficient residence powered by the sun. The 140-square-meter, two-story home stands as the fifth solar-powered home built by Edifice Upstate (find designboom’s previous coverage here), the design and build agency Thorpe co-founded with Claire Pijoulat.
Designed as a model for sustainable living, the project integrates renewable energy systems, local materials, and an architectural language that responds to its forested surroundings. Set on a 1.2-hectare parcel of land, the house is defined by its rectangular wooden form, clad in FSC-certified natural pine, and its striking 7.6-meter cantilevered steel deck that extends into the forest canopy.
all images by Clay Banks
Forest Edge House is powered by the sun
Energy independence lies at the core of Marc Thorpe’s project. The house is powered by 24 monocrystalline solar panels connected to a 15K Sol-Ark inverter and a lithium-ion LifePo battery bank capable of generating 38 kWh of electricity daily, enough to sustain the entire residence off-grid. Through this system the American architect allows the home to operate autonomously, free from reliance on external power sources, reflecting Edifice Upstate’s larger mission of designing architecture that harmonizes with ecological systems.
Inside the dwelling, an open plan connects living, kitchen, and dining spaces, while radiant floor heating maintains an even temperature throughout the year. The interiors are furnished by French design house Ligne Roset, further blending contemporary comfort with the quiet natural setting outside.
Marc Thorpe Design completes Forest Edge House
architecture of autonomy and respect
Thorpe describes Forest Edge as an architecture of ‘responsibility and respect for our environment and ourselves.’ The design embodies a philosophical stance toward independence and ecological awareness. Its formal simplicity and use of natural materials draw from the Catskills’ rural building traditions, yet its technological core situates it firmly within a contemporary vision of living in balance with nature.
Founded by Thorpe and Pijoulat, Edifice Upstate partners with local builders and sustainable technology companies to create turnkey solar-powered homes. The project brings together thoughtful architecture and renewable energy, giving residents independence without sacrificing design quality. As Thorpe puts it, Forest Edge is ‘an opportunity to take back our autonomy.’
this self-sufficient residence is powered by the sun
the 140-square-meter, two-story home stands as the fifth solar-powered home built by Edifice Upstate
designed as a model for sustainable living