Building Carbon Home Zero, my own home in Pound Ridge, New York, has been a journey like no other. This house isn’t just my family’s place to live—it’s a demonstration of everything Carbon Custom Builders stands for. It’s a sustainable, efficient, and obsessively crafted space that shows how we build homes: with purpose, precision, and an eye on the future.

Site and Vision

Our journey started with the land itself, tucked in the woods of Pound Ridge on a 3.5-acre plot. The site has a unique history; it was once part of a larger estate owned by Ted Sorensen, JFK’s speechwriter. When my wife Julie and I first saw it in the winter of 2021, the ground was snow-covered, and trees surrounded us on all sides. Standing there, I could immediately see the potential. The slight rise, the trees, the stillness—it all felt right. This was where we’d build our vision.

We bought the property in April, and by September, we had all the permits in place—faster than usual, thanks to intensive planning with our architects and engineers. To kick things off, I did much of the initial groundwork myself, including clearing trees and boulders and cutting in the driveway. It was hard, hands-on work, but it set the tone: we’d be involved in every detail from start to finish.

Laying the Foundation

For a home like this, the foundation had to be both strong and highly energy-efficient. The basement walls are made from 12-inch Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), but we could have just as easily gone with a 6 or 8 inch wall below grade. Whichever thickness, ICF walls not only provide incredible insulation but also create a robust structure that’s virtually impenetrable to water and weather.  With three layers of waterproofing—paint-on, drainage board, and a platen board for extra protection—we’ve built a basement that will withstand moisture and keep energy loss to an absolute minimum.

ICF construction is something we’re passionate about at Carbon. Each wall layer serves a purpose, from insulation to soundproofing to protection. Using ICF here means our home is more than four times as energy-efficient as a standard stick-built home, showing what’s possible when you take the time to do things right.

A Massive, Efficient Living Space

This home spans 11,750 square feet, with nearly 7,000 square feet of finished living space. Every inch is designed to be functional, comfortable, and efficient. But what’s truly impressive is the energy performance: despite the size, the entire house only requires a 10-ton cooling system and an 85,000 BTU heating load. This is about a third of what a typical home this size would need, thanks to the ICF structure, insulation, and our approach to energy-efficient design.

[Alt Text for Image: Interior view of Carbon Home Zero with large windows and high ceilings]

The entire house is conditioned—basement, garage, attic, and living spaces alike. Each room’s temperature can be finely tuned, giving us a level of comfort that doesn’t come at the cost of the environment. And for this project, we integrated a geothermal system with five wells, each 500 feet deep. These wells allow us to heat and cool efficiently while lowering our reliance on electricity even further.

Concrete Choices for a Lower Carbon Footprint

Concrete plays a central role in Carbon Home Zero, and I wanted to ensure our choices reflected our commitment to sustainability. By using low-carbon concrete mixes where possible, we’ve significantly reduced the home’s embodied carbon footprint. Concrete production has a major impact on global emissions, but emerging technologies are helping change that. In our build, for example, we used fiber-reinforced concrete from Euclid Chemical, which is made from recycled materials and reduces cracking while enhancing durability. Low-carbon concrete is a crucial step for the industry, and I believe that as a builder, it’s on us to embrace these innovations early.

Energy Independence and Smart Design

Carbon Home Zero is entirely electric, with no natural gas lines running into the house. We have propane only for a backup generator and outdoor cooking. Inside, we’ve installed radiant heating throughout, using a vapor barrier and eight inches of foam under the basement slab for insulation. This system keeps the floors warm and comfortable year-round.

To keep everything running smoothly and sustainably, we installed a geothermal system, which allows us to maintain heating and cooling with minimal environmental impact. And by pairing this with strategically placed insulation and ventilation systems, we’ve achieved an airtight home that’s still breathable and adaptable to the surrounding environment.

Making a Lasting Impact on Sustainable Luxury

Carbon Home Zero isn’t just my family’s home—it’s a proof of concept for everything we believe at Carbon Custom Builders. Building sustainably doesn’t mean compromising on luxury or comfort. It means thinking long-term and crafting homes that serve families and the planet for generations.

Every detail in this home, from the ICF walls to the geothermal wells, showcases the high standards we bring to all our projects. Our goal is to set a new benchmark in sustainable luxury homebuilding, one that clients can see, feel, and understand. I want every person who walks through Carbon Home Zero to feel inspired and confident that they too can build a beautiful, functional, eco-friendly home that will last.

At Carbon Custom Builders, we believe in leaving the “old way” behind. Homes like Carbon Home Zero show what’s possible when you blend cutting-edge technology with true craftsmanship. As we continue building, we’re committed to making every home “Obsessively Better Built”—sustainable, resilient, and undeniably unique.