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Architect Visit: A Natural Pool and Passive House in New York’s Hudson Valley

On a 75-acre Hudson Valley property, architect Alan Barlis of BarlisWedlick Architects designed a low-impact compound for client Ian Hague: a natural swimming pool filtered by plants, a 19th-century barn relocated as pool house, and a passive-house-certified main house. The goal: leave the landscape as natural as possible.

Barn pool house — 3,500-square-foot barn moved from Ghent; serves as pool house, guest quarters, with Tesla charger.

Natural swimming pool — Chemical-free pool filtered by plants and organic systems. “Incredibly blissful—like being in a Brita filter.”

Ipe deck — Ipe deck surrounds gunite-lined pool.

Water garden — Low wall separates pool from water garden with 18–24 inches of sand, soil, and plants for filtration.

Waterlilies — Waterlilies, grasses, and other plants die back in winter, return in spring.

Barn interior — Barn interior with woodburning stove, layered rugs, catwalk with woven rope rail. Photo by Jonny Valiant.

Barn loft — Loft catwalk. Photo by Jonny Valiant.

Barn ground floor — 1,000-square-foot studio apartment. Photo by Jonny Valiant.

Tesla charger in gas pump — Old Esso gas pump hides a Tesla charger; brass fire station pole connects levels. Photo by Jonny Valiant.

Main house — Main house echoes rural vernacular with pitched metal roof; charred cedar siding via shou-sugi-ban.

House siting — Sited to minimize tree removal; charred cedar facade achieved by burning, brushing, washing, oiling.

Bridge to screened porch — Glass-panel door opens to metal-and-wood bridge connecting to three-story screened porch with sauna. Photo by Jonny Valiant.

Screened porch levels — Three-story screened porch: swing on top, dining middle, sauna at ground level.

Garage with green roof — Garage tucked into earth with green roof and second Tesla charger.

For more eco-friendly landscape ideas, see our posts on gravel gardens and roof gardens.

About Garden: Houseplants Struggle After Switching to Gas Forced‑Air Heat; Designing Annual Flower Beds: Layout, Spacing, and Maintenance; Efficient Swimming Pool Cleaners: Types and Top Models; Swimming Pool Cleaners: Complete Guide to Automatic and Robotic Options; Pool Safety: Glass Fencing, Compliance & Best Practices; Casual Water: Redefining Hamptons Pools with Eco-Tech & Safety; Natural and Chemical Options for Weed and Grass Control; Growing Gourds for Birdhouses and Feeders: A Complete Guide; Garden Visit: Landscaping for a Modern House in Christchurch, New Zealand; Architect Visit: A 1,400-Sq-Ft Chilean Weekend House That Rests Lightly on the Land

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