Homes»The Power of Nature

The Power of Nature

Drawing its energy from the sun and wind, this newly built off-the-grid cottage combines the charm of old Nantucket with state-of-the-art sustainable design.

The house incorporates bits of the old cottage—cedar shingles, wood studs. But far from screaming “green,” it has an air of slightly worn, unpretentious New England ease.

Photographer Annie Schlecter, Writer Susan Heeger, Stylist Olga Naiman

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Eco-friendly Approach

Built in 2007 near the site of a ramshackle cottage one family had owned since the 1950s, his house is totally off the grid: Solar panels and a wind turbine capture the elements to make power; a high-tech system purifies wastewater. The house incorporates bits of the old cottage―cedar shingles, wood studs. But far from screaming “green,” it has an air of slightly worn, unpretentious New England ease. Because it doesn’t look like it was just built, “you’d never know it was ‘green’ unless I told you,” Alan says.