The Concrete House

On the slopes of Prickly Mountain in Warren, Vermont, a house is taking shape that looks less like a traditional farmhouse and more like a futuristic sculpture rooted in stone. Locals call it the Concrete House, and while Vermont is full of weathered barns and timber cottages, this home stands apart as a bold experiment in both design and sustainability.

The project comes from the mind of David Sellers, a celebrated architect who has been pushing boundaries in Warren since the 1960s. Sellers is part of the original “Prickly Mountain” movement, a community of young architects who came to the Mad River Valley decades ago with the idea that homes could be playful, experimental, and deeply connected to their landscape. The Concrete House continues that spirit, but with a modern twist: it’s designed to be net zero, producing as much energy as it consumes.

From the outside, the house looks like a sculpture cast into the hillside. Massive concrete walls and sweeping forms rise from the ground, their bold geometry softened by the surrounding forest. Unlike wood, which dominates Vermont architecture, concrete was chosen for durability and efficiency—it holds heat in the winter, keeps interiors cool in summer, and requires almost no maintenance. For a region where long winters test even the sturdiest buildings, it’s a daring but practical choice.

Inside, the spaces are open and modern, with vaulted ceilings, large windows, and fluid lines that echo the structure’s sculptural feel. The walls, left partially exposed in raw concrete, give the rooms an earthy solidity, while wide panes of glass bring in sweeping views of the Green Mountains. Natural light spills across polished floors, and the open plan makes the house feel both expansive and intimate.

Every detail of the house reflects Sellers’ philosophy: homes should be more than shelters—they should be experiences. The Concrete House doesn’t just provide comfort; it interacts with its environment, drawing in light, conserving energy, and framing the Vermont landscape in surprising ways.

Though unconventional, the house is not a cold experiment. It is designed to be lived in, with warm gathering spaces, modern amenities, and the kind of durability that promises to last generations. In a state known for its tradition, the Concrete House is a reminder that Vermont also has room for bold visions.

More than a home, it’s a statement: that architecture can be both playful and practical, whimsical and sustainable. On Prickly Mountain, the Concrete House stands as a living piece of art—and proof that even in the Green Mountains, concrete can have a soul.