Photo: Christian Wassmann
Architect Christian Wassmann Designs a Sustainable Masterpiece in the Catskills
The project:
Architect Christian Wassmann's vision for a sustainable house began with a serendipitous discovery. While exploring land for his family’s future house, he encountered an ancient 12,000-year-old boulder perched on the property’s highest point. While others might have seen it as an obstacle, Wassmann saw it as an invitation—a sign that nature was offering him a unique opportunity.
Wassmann set out to design a home that not only respected the environment, but was integrated into it. The prehistoric glacial boulder became the centerpiece, and every room in the house was thoughtfully designed to flow around it, as if the structure had naturally grown from the terrain.
Project: The “Rock’n’House” in New York’s Catskills Mountains
Homeowner & Architect: Christian Wassmann
Solution Provider: CertainTeed
Solution: SunStyle® solar tile roof system
In his studio, Wassmann operates by the philosophy that architecture should connect people to each other, to themselves, and ultimately, to the cosmos. To him, the cosmos encompasses the immediate natural world—the sun, the stars, the ocean, and, in this case, the ancient rock. His inspiration comes from studying ancient temples and monuments around the world, many of which were built in alignment with the sun, as a powerful force of life and energy.
This philosophy led Wassmann to ask: Why couldn’t a private house embrace the same cosmic connection? This became the guiding principle behind his design for his family’s home in the Catskills Mountains in upstate New York. A fully sustainable sanctuary—one that honors and integrates with the natural world.
The Solar Challenge:
Photo: Iwan Baan
Designing a house that intertwines so intimately with the natural environment posed several unique challenges. The vision to integrate the ancient boulder as the central element required architectural innovation, leading Wassmann to design a curved roof. This funnel shape presented a significant technical hurdle—how to implement a solar roofing system on a surface that diverges dramatically from the conventional flat or angled solar panel installations.
A solar roof was a priority for Wassmann to achieve a minimal environmental footprint. He envisioned a system that could harness the sun's energy efficiently, particularly during peak energy demand hours. The upward curved roof’s largest surface was strategically oriented to receive optimal sunlight around 4 PM, the time when energy usage in the local grid is at its highest. This positioning would not only maximize solar gain, but also contribute to stabilizing the grid by feeding energy back during its most crucial period.
However, implementing this vision required innovative solutions. Traditional solar panels are designed for flat or sloped roofs, making it a challenge to adapt them to the unusual curve shape without compromising efficiency or aesthetics. Wassmann had to find a solution that could conform to the roof’s geometry while maintaining maximum exposure to sunlight. Additionally, the integration of solar technology had to be seamlessly woven into the architecture, preserving the home’s aesthetic.
The Solution:
This challenge led to an exploration of cutting-edge solar technology that could bend and mold to the roof's unique shape. After careful research, Wassmann selected SunStyle by CertainTeed, an innovative solar roofing solution designed to merge advanced technology with aesthetic beauty.
Photo: Iwan Baan
SunStyle’s solar tiles seamlessly integrate solar energy generation into the unique geometry of the roof without compromising on design or functionality. These dragon-scale tiles are designed to mold to different angles, making them ideal for Wassmann’s unconventional roof. SunStyle’s premium photovoltaic cells provide efficient energy production, while the tiles’ edge-to-edge coverage optimizes performance, especially during peak demand hours.
Beyond energy efficiency, SunStyle tiles offer superior durability. Designed to withstand harsh weather like hail, snow and high winds, they are ideal for the Catskills' unpredictable climate. Their self-cleaning feature reduces maintenance, and if replacement is ever needed, it’s a quick, non-disruptive process.
SunStyle by CertainTeed brought Wassmann’s vision to life, demonstrating how innovative technology and architectural elegance can coexist.
The Result:
Today, the completed architectural masterpiece, known as the "Rock 'n' House," sits harmoniously within a private 14-acre estate. Showcased in Architectural Digest and the book New Homes for Our Times 3 by Taschen, the house’s circular design, soaring ceilings, and expansive triple glass windows create a space that bathes in natural light while seamlessly merging with the surrounding landscape.
The curved roof, fully clad in SunStyle solar tiles, generates an impressive 18,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually—more than double the house’s yearly consumption of approximately 8,000 kilowatt-hours. This surplus energy supports an electric vehicle and contributes additional power back to the local grid, enhancing community energy resilience. Designed with longevity in mind, ensuring the home remains self-sufficient for generations.
Sustainability is at the core of this home. Wassmann’s vision extends beyond the present; he aimed to create a home that would endure not just for his lifetime, but for his children’s, and beyond. His design philosophy emphasizes forward-thinking, crafting spaces that reflect today and tomorrow.