Project Description
A small village of farm fields along the coast of Long Island, Sagaponack (‘place where the large ground-nuts grow’) dates back to 1653 and has retained much of its original beauty. Located just a short walk to the ocean, this seasonal home for a growing family offers views of the extraordinary landscape. The residence lies parallel to the water, looking south out onto preserved agricultural land with distant sounds of breaking waves along the ocean shore and north to a field of wildflowers and native grasses. The plan bends slightly to maximize views of the coastline; a path from the parking court leads to a linear walkway of silver-grey weathered wood planks that cuts a path through the vestibule of the house and out to the pool beyond. The volume of the house is a two-story wood, steel, and glass structure; transparent walls provide delicacy to the house. Louvered screens and deep overhangs shield the interior spaces from summer sun and allow warm winter light to dip below the roof line. Inside, past the vestibule and open kitchen, the house opens into a double-height living space. A suspended bridge connects second story volumes at varying levels, dynamically inclining upward and terminating at either end in an open staircase. A serene palette of natural materials will weather as the house ages, harmonizing with the beachside landscape.