When Ally (homeowner and carpenter) hired Andy White of Boreal Design & Construction to design and build her home in Duxbury, the goal was clear: a high-performance, energy-efficient home that would showcase her own custom millwork and finish work. Boreal retained Bluedove Builders for the carpentry scope through all stages except finishing. 

The final product reflects what’s possible when building science drives every decision from the foundation up. The exterior wall assembly – TJI joists oriented vertically to create a 12” cavity stuffed with dense-packed blown-in cellulose – achieves approximately R-50 with limited thermal bridging. The roof assembly reaches R-100. A continuous rain screen beneath the metal roof and the vertical pine siding adds a second layer of protection against moisture intrusion. 

The siding tells its own story: Ally treated every board herself using Shou Sugi Ban, the traditional Japanese technique of charring wood with fire to preserve it – a process as labor-intensive as it is distinctive. 

Photography by Simeon Pol