Bates Masi + Architects recently completed a new home for a couple in East Hampton, New York. Although the Georgica Cove Residence will be used primarily by the couple, it should be large enough to accommodate their children, grandchildren and guests. The shape of the house is reminiscent of a barn, which corresponds to the typical architecture of the area. Gray wooden shingles are used as cladding for the facade and roof and characterize the entire design of the house. In contrast to the gray facade, the interior uses warm wood, which creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Read on to find out more about the architectural project.
Gray wooden shingles as facade cladding
The East Hampton home was designed to blend in with the rural landscape and be in keeping with local construction and architecture. Clapboard and barn houses are typical of this region, initially built individually and expanded over time with several additions. Bates Masi's project features gray wooden shinglescedarused as roof and facade cladding. The material is characterized by a timeless solidity and has therefore been used for the same purposes in the past. The whole house is further designed to look like a composite of four separate gable roof houses.
The windows on the side walls are equipped with horizontal cedar slats that serve as privacy and sun protection. This filters the light and creates wonderful effects in the interior. The house is surrounded by large lawns and gravel areas and has agreat swimming poolin the garden. It offers idyllic views of nearby Georgica Cove Lake, making it the perfect place to relax when the weather is nice.
The entrance to the house is completely glazed and the black metal frames for the windows provide a contrast to the gray facade. A glass door with a side pivot invites you into the house and lets in a lot of daylight.
Before we get our look at the interior design, we want thisExterior of the houselook a little closer. The components are not located directly on the ground, but are raised a few centimeters above it. This way the house sits higher than the floodplain and is protected from incoming water from the lake.
The common rooms such as the dining room and living area are equipped with sliding glass doors and can therefore be completely opened onto the terraces. This eliminates the boundaries between inside and outside and creates a seamless transition!
Warm wood tones characterize the interior furnishings
In contrast to the façade, where the architects relied entirely on gray wooden shingles, the interior mainly uses warm colors and natural materials. The main role is played by light, warm wood, which is used in the design of the floor and ceiling. A massive room divider in the living room accommodates the fireplace and highlights the typical gable roof shape particularly well. The white walls harmonize perfectly with the light wood and create a bright, friendly interior.
The kitchen with dining area is modern and simple at the same time. White kitchen cabinets are paired with a large gray kitchen island. Nearby is the dining area, which is furnished with a round dining table for 6 people. A minimalist chandelier hangs above the table, adding an interesting touch to the otherwise simple furnishings. For special occasions and for several guests, the house has a separate dining room, which is larger and therefore designed for several people.
Just like the barn houses typical of this region, this one also consists of several buildings. Each component has a different function - one for the master bedroom and home office, one for the everyday kitchen and living room, one for the formal common areas and one for the guest rooms. In order to create a relationship between the individual buildings, they are built around a common courtyard. They also have direct connections to each other, but can be closed completely if necessary. In this way, the livability of the house can be expanded when family and friends come to visit.
One area where residents like to spend their free time is this niche with a viewing window. It overlooks the garden and the lake is designed like a cozy reading corner. The brown leather deck chair harmonizes wonderfully with the warm wood tones and offers a great place to relax.
Interesting design solutions can be found everywhere in the house. A good example of this is the partition wall in the stairwell that leads to the second floor. For this purpose, vertical wooden slats are used and paired with indirect lighting. They look modern and also serve as fall protection for the stairs.
In the bathroom, wood is again the focus and is used as wall and floor coverings, as paneling for the ceiling and as a material for the washbasin. The surfaces are completely impregnated to resist moisture. Another interesting feature in the bathroom is the window behind the vanity. It opens up a view of the natural landscape and creates a natural feeling in the bathroom.
* Find out more about Bates Masi + Architects on theirofficial website.
