NAPEAGUE HOUSE
LONG ISLAND, NY
2014
PHOTOGRAPHY: NIKOLAS KOENIG, MARK JENKINSON
A house that treads lightly on the Napeague dunescape, designed to maximize buildable area within strict zoning constraints while maintaining a strong connection to the landscape. The result is a house built with – rather than on – the land.
Two elevated volumes, linked by a central passage, maximize buildable floor area while minimizing impact on the land.
The sawtooth roof brings in natural light while at the same time accommodating photovoltaic panels. It was the largest residential solar array in New York State at the time of its construction.
The house integrates art into its architecture, including a piece by Jenny Holzer wrapping an entry closet. The LEDs are housed in custom-designed vertical metal cladding that adds visual interest even when the piece is not running.
The glass-enclosed entry makes the surrounding dunes part of the interior experience.
The dunes are a constant presence in the house, as is light from above.
Polished terrazzo concrete runs throughout, its sand and stone composition echoing the materiality of the dunes. Large windows bring in natural light and open the interiors to the surrounding landscape.
