Tidal View

The waterfront site is located on a bay at the eastern end of Long Island. The property addresses the bay to the south, and extensive protected tidal wetlands to the north. The situation creates the opportunity to design for both views, using the long east-to-west building envelope as a suggestion of form.

The house is designed as an abstracted shape of a ship, long and narrow, mostly transparent on both sides. The building is permitted to be unusually close to the beach and the water, which suggested a few formal design responses: the upper level volume cantilevers towards the water, the entirely glass wall of the second floor leans out toward the water at an angle of 10 degrees off plumb, creating the sensation of flying over the beach.

The plan starts from the “wasp’s waist” at the front door, then expands in width toward east and west, in one long volume of space. Spaces are defined by plan shape rather than walls. Views to the east and west along the beach are as spectacular as the view of the bay straight out to the south. The plan responds to this with its wide V-shape, creating an angle between the beach and each facade of the house, which provides east and west views.

There was a requirement for an entry courtyard fully enclosed on three sides and partially enclosed on the fourth side, which is the access side. The fourth side is defined by an eleven foot high Cor-Ten steel wall, that splays out to the northeast to create the entry into the courtyard. A series of terraced landings lead the visitor first towards a tall bronze sculpture, then turns, ascending to the front door at the main level.