Goose Pond House
Citation Award // Excellence in Architectural Design - Interior Architecture
Architect // SP Architects
GC // Old Hampshire Designs
Engineer - Structural // Roome and Guarracino Structural Engineering
Engineer - MEP // CES Engineering
Interior Design // Gilberti Interiors
Landscape Architect // SP Architects
Description
Set on a quiet, non-motorized lake in rural New Hampshire, Goose Pond House is a resilient Net Zero retreat shaped by nature, recreation, and self-sufficiency. The surrounding trail network and lakefront setting inspired a design that strengthens daily connections to the landscape.
Carefully integrated into a steep, wooded site, the home appears as a modest one-story structure from the approach, then opens dramatically toward the lake. Distinct volumes create privacy for guests while maintaining a warm and intimate center for family life.
Natural light, passive solar orientation, and regional materials define the architecture. Strategically placed glazing maximizes daylight and seasonal solar gain, while stone walls anchor the building to its terrain. Vermont-sourced cedar columns provide warmth, craftsmanship, and a distinctly northern New England character. Paired with all-electric systems and battery storage, Goose Pond House balances timeless lake-house traditions with a contemporary model of high-performance, resilient residential design.
Jury Comments
This project received a Citation Award. During the jury review process, the submission was reclassified from the “Residential” category to “Interior Architecture”, recognizing that the project's greatest strengths lie in its ability to amplify the character and resonance of the spatial composition that skillfully balances continuity with moments of transformation.
The jury commended the project for its clear and thoughtfully resolved interior organization, highlighting its careful spatial sequencing, rich inhabitation experience, and the atmospheric qualities achieved through a refined palette of materials.
Most importantly, the jury praised the project for its sensitive and respectful approach to reinvigorating an existing building, demonstrating how thoughtful, well-executed design strategies can breathe new life into architecture while honoring its original character.
Photo credit: James Reed