This ocean side site presented ecological constraints and visual opportunities that we worked to combine into a holistic scheme that unified site and architecture. Working collaboratively with the architect, we set the three planar elements. The main house and pool house would float in the native landscape while the rimless edge pool would be set into the ground reflecting sky, light and architecture.
As part of our work a thorough dune restoration was completed with removal of invasive exotic species that remained from the previously developed site. On the ocean side of the buildings the pool was set into a “meadow” of native beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata) with associated sea side goldenrod, beach plum, and bayberry typically found in this rear dune habitat.
The swimming pool, which uses the pool house as one wall, has a rimless edge of honed gray green bluestone selected to reflect the colors of the sky and water that dominate this ocean side landscape. All built elements were of a simple orthogonal form allowing the gentle roll of the created dunes and movement of the grasses to bring life into the area. A sand “terrace” was created for lounge chairs so that no turf and associated chemicals would be needed in this sensitive environment.
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