All-Wood, All The Time / OPAL Architecture

Architects: OPAL Architecture
Area: 1,300 ft²
Year: 2021
Photography: Trent Bell Photography
Design Team: Matthew O’Malia, Gunther Kragler, Michelle Bezik, George Switzer
Interior Design: Stedila Design
Construction: Country Homes Construction
Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
Mechanical Engineer: Andrew McPartland
Lighting: Viabizzuno
Location: Connecticut, USA

All-Wood, All the Time residential project designed by OPAL Architecture in Connecticut, USA, demonstrates a high-performance timber strategy through full use of cross-laminated timber and wood fiber insulation. Completed in 2021, the 1,300 ft² home replaces a seasonal cottage and responds to strict site constraints with a single-level layout. Prefabricated solid wood panels, exposed interior finishes, and integrated solar systems support Passive House energy goals and low carbon impact, reinforcing OPAL’s commitment to renewable material applications in residential architecture.

All-wood, all the time / opal architecture

Wood is one of the most sustainable building materials available, capable of producing itself using solar energy while storing carbon over its lifetime. These qualities significantly reduce a building’s carbon footprint and have become central to OPAL Architecture’s design philosophy. In All-Wood, All the Time, a 1,300 ft² private residence completed in 2021 in rural Connecticut, the firm demonstrates its most comprehensive use of wood to date. The house is constructed entirely with cross-laminated timber and insulated with rigid wood fiber, forming a nearly all-wood envelope focused on ecological performance and material efficiency.

The home replaces a seasonal cottage on a narrow south-facing lot situated between a road and a lakeshore. Strict zoning regulations limited both building height and footprint. In response, the design team organized the home as a single-story plan with a compact layout. A central living, kitchen, and dining space anchors the floor plan, flanked by two efficient private wings: a primary bedroom suite on one side and a study or guest room with a second bathroom on the other. A stepped facade aligns the house with the slope of the land and ensures that all primary spaces enjoy unobstructed views of the lake.

The project’s geometry required a high level of precision in both design and execution. All major structural components, including walls, ceilings, and roof, were fabricated from solid cross-laminated timber panels. These panels remain visible throughout the interior, eliminating the need for additional finishes. The building shell is wrapped in rigid wood fiber insulation that delivers Passive House-level thermal performance. Ash siding and trim, prefinished for durability, form the building’s protective outer layer. With no cavity walls or standard framing systems, mechanical and electrical services were mounted directly onto the interior face of the CLT. The insulation was custom-cut to fit around these service runs, preserving the continuity of the envelope.

To further reduce energy dependence, the house is equipped with Tesla Solar Roof and Powerwall systems. These technologies allow the residence to generate and store electricity on-site, supporting year-round energy resilience. The project was led by Matthew O’Malia, Gunther Kragler, Michelle Bezik, and George Switzer, and constructed by Country Homes Construction. Consultants included Thornton Tomasetti for structural engineering, Andrew McPartland for mechanical systems, Stedila Design for interiors, Viabizzuno for lighting, and Ground for landscape design.

All-Wood, All the Time reflects a fully integrated design process that prioritizes renewable materials, passive energy strategies, and careful coordination across disciplines. OPAL’s approach demonstrates how timber construction can meet contemporary performance expectations while aligning closely with long-term environmental goals.