This cedar-clad house takes complex site constraints as inspiration to create a dynamic volume with expansive views of the bay. The site, on a barrier island, sits in a long line of properties that have replaced tidal wetlands with lawn and bulkhead. In contrast, wetlands and native species are extended across this site under a long walkway that leads from the street to the water.
Hemmed-in between close neighbors, the volumes of the house are to create a large outdoor space along this walkway. The wings of the house are angled to capture long views east and west. A concrete mass adjacent to the street edge houses the septic system and was carved to create the entry to the site. A walkway rises from this mass and threads it’s way through the house volumes.
Large expanses of aluminum curtain wall allow the main living spaces to open onto the elevated deck. Walls shelter this family space from the close proximity of the neighbors. Storage elements and built-in furniture, including a desk and wine-storage wall, are built into the perimeter walls to add to the feeling of enclosure. Small windows are punched through the protective veil to frame intimate views. At the client’s request the dining room was located closest to the water and oriented toward the sunset.