Passive Heating and Cooling Methods Create Efficient Pennsylvania Farmhouse

Borrowing from the elements of local farmhouse design and adding contemporary upgrades that improve its aesthetics and ergonomics, Cutler Anderson Architects conjured up and brought to life the gorgeous Pennsylvania Farmhouse. Located on a vast 280 acre farm in the town of Lakewood, Pennsylvania, this modern farmhouse blends simplicity of design with comfort, energy-efficiency and smart architecture that responds to the specific needs of the site. Passive solar heating and cooling techniques play a major part in shaping the family home, as rolling sunshades and screens were used to shape the chic, white residence.

Picture-perfect-Pennsylvania-Farmhouse-set-in-a-scenic-backdrop — Picture-perfect Pennsylvania Farmhouse set in a scenic backdrop

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With large glass windows that bring ample sunlight during winter months and a system of shades that can easily switch between privacy and unabated views, this four-bedroom family farmhouse proves to be incredibly adaptable. A ground source heat pump and a wood-fired boiler provide additional heating in the winter months while the smart system of shades ensure that there is absolutely no necessity of air conditioning in the summer months. Essentially, this is a farmhouse that cuts back on power consumption and aims to reduce its carbon footprint as much as possible. [Photography: David Sundberg / ESTO]

Modern-Pennsylvania-Farmhouse-in-the-charming-little-town-of-Lakewood — Modern Pennsylvania Farmhouse in the charming little town of Lakewood

Large-glass-windows-and-rolling-screens-create-a-lovely-home-in-Pennsylvania — Large glass windows and rolling screens create a lovely home in Pennsylvania

Double height living area of the farmhouse in white with wooden accents

White-and-wood-interior-of-the-Farmhouse-family-home — White and wood interior of the Farmhouse family home

View-of-the-green-landscape-from-the-bedroom-window — View of the green landscape from the bedroom window

Natural-sunlight-in-winter-heats-the-living-area — Natural sunlight in winter heats the living area

Toward the end of the construction phase, the contractor presented anecdotal evidence that when the sunshades were closed on hot summer days, the inside temperature was reduced by as much as 20 degrees F. Currently there is no air conditioning in the building but the ambient inside temperature seems comfortable for all occupants.