Modern Home Design, Home Plans, Interior

Modern Home Design - Lions Head by Bates Masi Architects

This modern home was designed by Bates Masi Architects, located on a narrow property atop a bluff overlooking Gardiner’s Bay, East Hampton, NY, USA. This house was built in the former old house that has been destroyed by fire. A new house on the same property provided an opportunity to rethink how the client would use the house. The harsh weather of the waterfront location previously required time-consuming maintenance. Therefore, all of the materials for new house are durable and naturally weathering. The wood siding with naturally water-resistant tannins and oils, zinc fascia, and slate roofing repurposed as a siding material require little maintenance. The window and door screens are held on the interior of the doors to increase their longevity. These strategies allow the family to enjoy each other instead of spending time maintaining their house.

The house is composed of two simple taut volumes. The public and private living areas are in the waterside volume, all with spectacular views and access to the beach. Circulation, baths, and utilities are in the landward volume overlooking the pool. By offsetting the volumes vertically and horizontally, the surface area of the compact design increases, allowing for more windows to admit light and westerly breezes. This slippage also creates intimate outdoor spaces for bathing, entertaining and dinig.

The views of Gardiner’s Bay that the family has enjoyed for the past 25 years are revisited. Frames create vignettes unique to each space. As a visitor, the sequence of views is choreographed to encourage exploration and further discovery. Snap shot of sky, sea and cliffs coordinate with different experiences throughout the house to create memories.

The deep frames in front of each volume provide privacy from neighboring properties while leaving the east and west facades open to views of the water. The frames create spaces that defy the conventional distinctions between indoors and outdoors. At the roof deck, portions of the ceiling and upper walls are omitted to create an “outdoor room” open to the sky and the landscape, yet more contiguous with the interior that a conventional deck or terrace. The screened porch is similarly open to the elements while remaining integrated with the sequence of interior rooms. The frames direct attention away from the house to the water views and surrounding landscape, further easing the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.

By carefully intertwining space and materials with the landscape, the design creates an environment that the family will continue to enjoy for many years to come. The deliberate framing of the landscape has changed the perspective of the familiar view giving each family member his or her own unique experience.

Modern Home Design - Lions Head by Bates Masi Architects

Modern Home Design - Lions Head by Bates Masi Architects

Modern Home Design - Lions Head by Bates Masi Architects

Modern Home Design - Lions Head by Bates Masi Architects

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