House on the Reach

Located at the edges of diverse environmental conditions: sea, meadow, and forest, the house was broken into three distinct volumes designed to engage the site both visually and phenomenally.  The shed-roofed masses are arranged for interaction with family and friends or seeking refuge as needed.  While each of the structures is oriented to the water, the shifting of the masses allows each to capture unique views of the site as well as other parts of the home.  This has the effect of creating micro-climates that not only offer view but shade, sun, or wind as well.

Flat-roofed breezeways provide connection and separation, linking the owners’ bedroom, living, and guest wings of the house.  The result of this uncoupling of functions allows different zones of the house to connect with different aspects of the site.  The owners’ bedroom sits back on the site for privacy.  It has a water view but also abuts the forest edge which provides screening and a sense of enclosure.  The living wing fronts both the water and a two-sided courtyard, conditions which allow for gathering in either shade or sun as desired.  The guest wing is perched above the meadow, projecting into the view but oriented to the east, towards the morning sun and away from central activity.  The apertures of the house follow this site/privacy dictation with the water-facing facades more transparent and permeable, capturing both light and coastal breezes, while the remaining elevations have more strategic openings for cross ventilation and framed views of meadow and forest.