Picturesque Hudson Woods Eco-Neighborhood Will Offer a Green Getaway in the Catskills

Lang Architecture’s <a href="http://hudsonwoods.com/" target="_blank">Hudson Woods</a> is a new eco-getaway geared towards busy city-dwellers seeking the tranquility of a vacation home in the forest. Located just two hours away from New York City in the Catskills-Hudson River Valley region, the 26-home <a href="http://inhabitat.com/reader-tip-andrea-salvinis-lush-green-walled-sustainable-neighborhood/" target="_blank">sustainable development</a> is currently under construction and when complete, will put its residents up close with nature while keeping its footprint small. The comfy residences aim to combine sustainable design with passive technology, making for a relaxing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/south-africas-historic-babylonstoren-farm-retreat-reconnects-guests-with-nature/" target="_blank">green retreat</a> not far from the city.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/6-easy-eco-escapes-from-new-york-city/" target="_blank">picturesque Catskills</a> surround the Hudson Woods, making for incredible views from everywhere on the property.

Each modest home is designed for efficiency, and to connect its residents with the surrounding nature.

Large glass curtains are a feature throughout the homes, to not only bring in the forest outside, but also to allow ample day lighting into each room. The homes are also situated to take advantage of passive solar benefits, optimizing the sun’s rays on one side, and partially submerged on the other for natural insulation, and to be more harmonious with the land.

The development of the site was designed by a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/park-567-opens-as-part-of-chicagos-elevated-bloomingdale-trail-the-606/" target="_blank">sustainable landscape</a> architect and forester, ensuring a thriving, undisrupted forest on the property.

The local community was also considered, so local craftspeople, materials and labor will be used to complete each of the homes, giving back to the community.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/event/new-event-submission-tour-the-iconic-breezehouse-set-in-gorgeous-hudson-valley-2/" target="_blank">beautiful vacation homes</a> also use sustainable and energy efficient practices to keep energy usage and costs low, like seam metal roofing, stone retaining walls, on demand hot water, and the Nest Learning Thermostat. Hudson Woods has just begun construction on the first of the 26 planned homes.