Projects
Ocean’s Edge
It’s a special pleasure when a former client brings us a new project. Here, repeat clients have called on us to design a new custom 4-bedroom home on Cape Cod. The site is a lovely wooded glen in Mashpee with views of the Atlantic Ocean. The house has an interesting program: It will be a summer retreat for our clients Lynda and John while serving as a year-round retirement home for John’s parents. Designing multi-generational homes is becoming a bit of a specialty of ours (see A Home for Three-Generations).
Site and Landscape
The generous site lowers in elevation as it moves away from the road. We placed the house on a natural slope to the rear of the site, giving the clients on-grade access to the landscape from both the upper and lower levels. This placement also allows us to maximize the ocean views without building up. Keeping the house low has several benefits: It creates a stronger tie to the landscape, adds privacy, and eliminates the need to climb stairs. The driveway meanders through the woods so that the house comes into view only when you are upon it.
Architecture
The house takes the form of a compound comprised by three volumes. Each couple has their own “wing” with a master bedroom suite. The main volume houses common rooms including the kitchen, dining room, media room, and a playroom. The placement of the volumes allows us to create a rich series of interior and exterior “courts,” each with a unique view and feel.
The exterior is clad in elegant local finishes, including natural cedar shingles and stone, and appears vernacular from the drive. Once you step inside the main entrance, however, the house opens into a contemporary glass box constructed from industrial storefronts and metal roofing. The contrast between the two palettes creates a sense of drama. Inside, a visitor finds a variety of spaces — from a cozy library nook to a grand room with soaring ceilings and panoramic views. A timber structure visually pierces the glass curtain walls, drawing a connection between the interior and exterior spaces.
Green Strategies
When one couple is away, they can “hibernate” their wing, significantly reducing heating and cooling costs. Outside, a series of wading, reflecting and swimming pools cool during the evening and nighttime. During the day, breezes blowing over the cool water help reduce the need for air conditioning. A vertical ventilation shaft built into the fireplace and shade provided by an extensive wooden trellis also cool the space passively.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) will be used in the roof and walls, creating a structure that’s more air tight than traditionally built homes. The use of SIPs will reduce the cost of heating and cooling the house. Added benefits: SIPs are made without the use of harmful chemicals and the panels are recyclable.
