Teach Spruis
EDEN Architects, G-Frame

Teach Spruis is a family home designed to Passive House standards utilising Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) for the entire substructure. One of the first residential buildings in Ireland constructed in this way, it serves as a prototype for the sustainable use of wood in residential construction.
The innovative project is designed by EDEN Architects for the architect, his wife and two young girls. In addition to the technical aspirations of the project, the home was tailored to their specific lifestyle, prioritising shared space where a double height living area forms the heart of the home.
Beyond its technical merits, the project aimed to showcase how sustainable architecture can foster a warm and inviting home where the materials chosen for their environmentally friendly qualities also contribute to the home’s welcoming atmosphere.
Particular emphasis was placed on highlighting the visible Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) elements in the walls and ceilings, showcasing their aesthetic qualities.
A key focal point was the double-height living space at the heart of the home, capturing both its impressive scale and the way it physically and visually connected different areas.
The shoot involved a full day on site. The design of the building meant the light entering the interior of the building was carefully controlled. The internal spaces were largely evenly lit by diffused light throughout the day allowing a large degree of flexibility in how we sequenced the shoot.
One area where timing was particularly crucial was the front elevation and garden. We scheduled this for the morning when the eastern light illuminated the front wall and filled the garden. The direct sunlight helped add form and shape to these images as well as bringing out the rich tones of the brick.
A key focus of the series was the communal living space, where we aimed to convey not just its form but also how it felt. This was achieved through wide, stitched panoramic shots using a tilt-shift lens. These expansive views were complemented by tighter vignettes that highlighted specific design elements or framed sightlines from one space to another, creating a visual narrative of the home’s layout.
Showcasing the home’s materiality was another fundamental aspect of our approach. We emphasized areas where Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) was prominently displayed, carefully selecting views of the kitchen and dining area, mezzanine, and bedrooms to highlight the warmth and texture of the wood.












