River Architects is a full-service architecture and design studio based in New York’s Hudson Valley. Blending global insight with local context, we create sustainable, intelligent designs—from public projects to private homes—rooted in Passive building principles. Our energy-efficient spaces use low-emission materials and air-tight, ventilated construction. Defined by clean lines, natural materials, and abundant light, our homes balance beauty, function, and comfort.
#architecture #sustainablearchitecture #sustainability #passivehouse #phius #greenbusiness #greenbusinesspartnership #netzerodesign #beautiful #design #hudsonvalley #hudsonvalleyny #hvmag #newyorkupstate #interiordesign #sourcezero #modern #retrofit #moderndesign #putnamcountyny #curbed #newyorkhomes #newyorkarchitecture #coldspring #coldspringny #rivertowns
Spring time vibes on point at our Catskill Residence project.
Passive building principles were used in the design and construction of the home, achieving a comfortable space for the clients to enjoy the beautiful scenery, day or night.
Architect: @riverarchitects
📷 Dave Coppola @whitewaterimagery
#architecture #sustainablearchitecture #sustainability #passivehouse #phius #greenbusiness #greenbusinesspartnership #netzerodesign #beautiful #design #hudsonvalley #hudsonvalleyny #hvmag #newyorkupstate #interiordesign #sourcezero #modern #retrofit #moderndesign #curbed #newyorkhomes #newyorkarchitecture
Sharing from our friends over at the Catskill Project: Passive House Weekend is coming to the Catskills 🌲🏡|
Tour stunning carbon-neutral homes, sip estate-grown cider at the world’s first Passive House-certified cidery, and hear from two legends in sustainable design:
✨ Buck Moorhead (Chair of NY Passive House)
✨ James Hartford (River Architects, Seminary Hill)
James Hartford will join Seminary Hill Cider owner Doug Doetsch for a tour of Seminary Hill Cidery at 11:00 am on May 11th, space is limited – check the link in our bio for tickets. Client: @seminaryhillny
Architect: @riverarchitects
Image: Erin Lindsey @escape_brooklyn
#architecture #sustainablearchitecture #sustainability #passivehouse #phius #greenbusiness #greenbusinesspartnership #netzerodesign #beautiful #design #hudsonvalley #hudsonvalleyny #hvmag #newyorkupstate
Join River Architects, Phius Alliance NY, and AIA WHV for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Shawangunk Passive, a Phius-certified passive house in Gardiner, NY.
Led by River Architects Principal James Hartford, this site tour will explore the integration of high-performance building science, climate-specific design, and architectural detailing in an almost complete residential project. The project team will discuss airtightness strategies, super-insulated assemblies, all-electric mechanical systems, challenging enclosure conditions, and the coordination required to deliver a certified Passive project.
Special thanks to event sponsor Yaro Windows and Doors.
📍 Gardiner, NY
📅 Wednesday, May 20
⏰ 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Space is limited and advance registration is required. This event is approved for CEUs from Phius (3) and AIA (3).
Register via the link in our bio!
#PassiveHouse #Phius #HighPerformanceBuilding #SustainableArchitecture #HudsonValley #BuildingScience #NetZero #Architecture #RiverArchitects
/o/16900084242
We’re honored to share that River Architects has received a 2026 AIA New York State Excelsior Award Merit Award for Historic Preservation for The Bank Lofts in Richfield Springs, NY.
Presented by AIA New York State, the Excelsior Awards recognize projects that demonstrate design excellence, meaningful community impact, and responsible use of resources in publicly funded work across New York State.
The Bank Lofts transforms a historic building into vibrant new residential space while preserving the architectural character and cultural history of downtown Richfield Springs. We are proud to see this project recognized alongside so many inspiring works from across the state.
Thank you to our clients and the many collaborators, consultants, and community partners who helped make this project possible.
Photograph by Pamela Cook
#AIANYS #aianewyorkstate #ExcelsiorAwards #PublicArchitecture #DesignExcellence #Architecture #CommunityDesign #BuiltEnvironment #NewYorkArchitecture #HistoricPreservation #AdaptiveReuse
A room for music, and everything that comes with it.
Golden hour light pours in from above, the fireplace anchors the space, and custom shelving holds the layers of everyday life. Designed for a young, creative family, this Cold Spring home embraces a mix of playful and refined, where modern design meets familiar warmth.
What began as a renovation became a full reimagining (now targeting Passive certification) proving that high performance and personality can go hand in hand. We're excited to share more as this project comes to vibrant life.
#PassiveHouse #HudsonValleyHomes #ColdSpringNY #ResidentialDesign #ModernLiving #SustainableDesign #NetZero #InteriorArchitecture #CustomMillwork #HealthyHomes
At our Sagamore project, the home is carefully positioned to capture the setting sun over the lake, turning seasonal light into a daily experience. Even during construction, the relationship between structure and landscape is already coming into focus.
From open views across the ice to the warm glow reflected in the glass, this project is rooted in its place from the very beginning.
#Architecture #Siting #HudsonValleyHomes #WinterLight #RiverArchitects
When Juhee Lee-Hartford founded River Architects in 2002, she hoped it might one day give her the space to write a book on Korean architecture. Life - and a growing practice - had other plans. Twenty-four years later, that original intention has come full circle. Juhee has completed the manuscript for her first book, a project built on decades of research, patience, and lived experience.
This World Book Day, we’re celebrating the long arc of an idea, and the patience it takes to see it through. Congratulations, Juhee!
Follow @jleehartford to see what comes next.
#WorldBookDay #Architecture #WomenInArchitecture #PassiveHouse #HudsonValleyDesign
Earth Day at Seminary Hill Cidery 🌿
Where architecture meets landscape, and sustainability is part of the experience, not an afterthought.
Designed to tread lightly, built to last, and rooted in place.
Photo by Erin Lindsey for Escape Brooklyn
#EarthDay #SustainableDesign #RiverArchitects #HudsonValley #PassiveHouse #ClimatePositive #Architecture
A recent team site visit at our Sagamore project.
We make it a priority to get our team out into the field, not only to review construction progress, but to share knowledge and learn from one another along the way. These visits are an important part of how we maintain quality and consistency across our work.
This project is Phius Design Certified, and with every member of our architectural team trained as a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), we’re able to bring that expertise directly to the construction process.
#PassiveHouse #Phius #ArchitectureInProgress #SiteVisit #BuildingScience #RiverArchitects
🔥 Adirondack Passive goes ZERO!
Our Horicon, NY, prefab home has officially achieved Phius ZERO 2024 Certification, combining net-zero energy performance with modern, site-responsive design.
Set in a forested Adirondack landscape, every detail, from its Passive House envelope to on-site renewable energy, was designed to balance comfort, sustainability, and beauty.
We’re thrilled this project was also featured in a Project Case Study, sharing insights on design, prefabrication, and high-performance strategies with the broader community.
#PassiveHouse #ZeroEnergy #SustainableArchitecture #Phius #NetZero #PrefabHomes #RiverArchitects #HighPerformanceDesign
Tucked into the lower level of our China Pond residential project, the sauna is part of a recreational retreat designed for gathering, unwinding, and recharging.
Wood wraps the space, from slatted walls with sculptural hooks to the sauna’s interior, while deep red felt adds warmth, texture, and acoustic softness behind the scenes. A quiet glow filters through, inviting you to step inside.🔥
#SaunaDesign #InteriorArchitecture #PassiveHouse #WellnessSpaces #ModernCabin #RiverArchitects
