Located on the edge of New Hampshire’s Lake Sunapee, this retreat is designed as a quiet counterpoint to the intensity of urban life — a place that dissolves into its wooded backdrop and invites occupants to observe the landscape in changing light. The architecture is modest and unpretentious, with a plan that opens outward and materials chosen for their ability to stand the test of time.
Peterborough, NH
LR3 Development
LR3 Development
Belletetes
James Reed Photography
ICON®
Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) Douglas Fir
N/A
The design team sought out natural, low-maintenance materials that could support this vision without calling undue attention to themselves. The wood ceilings under the deep wraparound porch and carport, two of the home’s most expressive elements, required something dimensionally stable, consistent in grain, and able to perform under constant exposure to seasonal moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, and UV.
The architect originally considered western red cedar but struggled with sourcing consistent, high-quality stock in quantities suitable for the expansive porch ceiling. The decision to move to thermally modified fir was not driven by cost, but by control, control over finish tone, grain uniformity, and, most importantly, the long-term visual quiet the architecture required.
Unlike some thermally modified species that darken dramatically or show pronounced variation across boards, ICON CVG Douglas Fir retained its clarity and warmth without dominating. It was pre-selected and milled to spec, reducing onsite adjustment and allowing the installer to maintain clean, continuous runs even around compound angles and soffit returns.
Where the ceilings meet the structure, a series of subtle mitered transitions and flush beam wraps were executed without over-reliance on caulk or filler — made possible by the wood’s machinability and stability. Over time, the fir is expected to develop a silvery patina, further softening the structure’s presence on the site.
The wood’s behavior over the first seasonal cycle has validated the choice: no cupping, minimal checking, and a subtle tonal evolution that enhances the spatial calm. It’s a quiet material solution that supports a larger architectural idea — that a home can be both shelter and backdrop, expressive yet deferential.
See for yourself how you can turn an architectural statement into a timeless ICON®.
