Marc Thorpe Goes 100% Off-Grid in the West Catskill Mountains


Located near the town of Roscoe in the Western Catskill Mountains of New York, the Fremont House seamlessly integrates into its natural surroundings. Tucked away amidst the trees, it’s the embodiment of responsible living and a testament to the power of sustainable design. Spanning 1,000 square feet, the Fremont House is a 100% off-grid masterpiece designed by architect Marc Thorpe. The minimalist cabin is not your average home – it’s a harmonious blend of nature and technology.

The boxy black house isn’t Thorpe’s first off-the-grid cabin. In 2019, he unveiled The Edifice, a modern cedar cabin that’s about half the size of the Fremont. The newer build offers two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, dining space, kitchen, storage, utility room, and a small terrance. The layout allows for the separation of public and private spaces with the bedrooms located on the top floor.

partial corner view of modern black box house surrounded by trees

distance corner exterior view of modern black box house surrounded by trees

exterior view of modern black box house surrounded by trees

back angled exterior view of modern black box house surrounded by trees

One of the standout features of the Fremont House is its 100% solar power setup. Marc Thorpe’s vision was to create an affordable contemporary home that relies on integrated sustainable technology. In a world where our energy consumption is increasingly unsustainable, this house stands as a shining example of self-reliance and environmental responsibility. As Thorpe says, “The Fremont House is an architecture of responsibility and respect for our environment and ourselves.”

side view of modern black box house surrounded by trees

Thorpe believes in taking control of our energy consumption by generating our power sustainably. He’s not just building a house – he’s constructing a better future. This future is defined by quality, not quantity, and it’s about living in harmony with nature. It’s about leaving a legacy for our children and future generations.

closeup corner view of modern black box house surrounded by trees

closeup view of modern black box house surrounded by trees

closeup corner view of modern black box house surrounded by trees

Sliding glass doors lead to an open living space that houses a living room with a gray sectional sofa and a simple kitchen with an island serving as the home’s dining area.

interior view of modern minimalist living room with white walls and gray sectional sofa

angled interior view of modern living room with black stove heater and gray sofa

interior view of modern living room with corner windows and black stove heater

angled closeup view of kitchen island

interior view looking from living room to kitchen island with bar stools

A curated selection of furniture and furnishings creates a stylish yet comfortable atmosphere that doesn’t detract from the surrounding forest views.

interior view looking at square window black bench underneath

partial interior view looking down side wall to small table holding lamp

view of interior corner with tall narrow window on right with vintage wood chair in front

view of interior corner with tall narrow window on right with vintage wood chair in front

view of modern minimalist bathroom with white tiles and black grout

interior space with red Togo chair, lamp, and wooden dresser staged in front of square window

interior space with red Togo chair, lamp, and wooden dresser staged in front of square window

sky view looking down at exterior and roof of black box house surrounded by trees.

sky view looking down at exterior and roof of black box house surrounded by trees.

Photography by Marco Petrini.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.





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