Houzz Tours
Modern Architecture
Houzz Tour: Modern Waterfront Home on Long Island
With a black-box exterior and a stagelike deck, this modern structure in New York takes its cues from the owner's career
Most single-family houses in the New York City area are found beyond the five boroughs, many out on Long Island. The Noyack Creek house, a retreat designed for a city dweller by local firm Bates Masi Architects, is one such home. It is near the tip of Long Island on the eponymous creek's tidal estuary. As the architects attest, and this tour of the house reveals, the design balances the client's wishes with the site's possibilities to create something modern yet wholly unique.
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives here: An actor who works in New York City
Location: Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York
Size: 1,350 square feet
That's interesting: The home's design holds clues to the owner's profession.
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives here: An actor who works in New York City
Location: Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York
Size: 1,350 square feet
That's interesting: The home's design holds clues to the owner's profession.
The narrow and long rectangular lot next to the water determined a few things: Wetland setbacks on the west restricted the siting of the house, zoning restrictions applied to the overall height, and neighbors on the north and south meant privacy concerns. This view of the west elevation facing the water is where the building opens itself visually and experientially to its surroundings.
Yet compared with the west side, the eastern front is closed. Past the driveway the glass-door entry is visible, but otherwise only a few small windows break up the dark volume. Behind the windows are the guest bedroom and bathroom; the upper story is the back of the master suite, which is oriented to the west and the water views.
Bordering the deck visible in the first photo is a wall covered in the same black panels as much of the house. The architects describe the wall: "Water-jet cutting allowed us to precisely create apertures to allow airflow in the exterior deck area while maintaining privacy from the neighbor."
The black material is Skatelite, typically used in skateboard ramps. The architects liken it to a black-box theater, which makes sense since the client is an actor. As we'll see, the house is "choreographed" to reflect the client's profession.
The black material is Skatelite, typically used in skateboard ramps. The architects liken it to a black-box theater, which makes sense since the client is an actor. As we'll see, the house is "choreographed" to reflect the client's profession.
The tiered exterior seating adjacent to the deck is one of the areas where, as the architects put it, "acting was used as a device to reference how one engages the landscape." The steps look towards the water, but they also turn the deck into a stage. The steps are echoed inside, linking the interior and exterior environments.
The end of the choreographed route designed by Bates Masi is the master bedroom and its view toward the water. Unlike the theatrical steps and catwalk, this is a place of privacy and a sanctuary, where the client can retreat to nature framed.
More:
Regional Modern Architecture Around NYC
More:
Regional Modern Architecture Around NYC