Project Description
This jewel-box home was designed to appear as weathered driftwood washed up onto the apex of an Atlantic dune, unassuming and humbled to the tapestry of the landscape and vegetation. Views from this quiet perch sweep panoramically from East to South to West over rolling dunes and low wetlands to the Ocean.
Bronze windows and doors punch through the one story weathered mahogany box sitting atop a board formed concrete landscape wall. The wood roof cantilevers out from the façade, then billows over to echo the soft form of the wind-formed dunes.
After ascending the bronze and wooden ramp to the second floor entry, a light-flooded foyer opens to the living gallery: the reading, dining, kitchen and living areas, which are situated east to west along the southerly view to the water. A full width porch runs along the living space, sporting wooden shutters that open and close like eyelashes to shield the porch from the summer sun or provide privacy and weather protection to the living room in the winter.
The floating bronze, walnut and glass stairway rises up through the sliding skylight to a roof deck with open views in every direction. Cut into the dune-shaped roof is a soaking tub and built-in chaise comfortable for a half dozen sunbathers.
Overall, this house seeks to quietly, elegantly and modestly ally with the amazing landscape and views. This tightly edited palette of materials connects the inside and outside while allowing the colors and textures of the natural landscape and ocean views to animate the experience of the house.