Orient, New York

Located near the eastern end of Long Island’s north fork, on a waterside bluff of the largest glacial moraine in the world, this house is a refuge for an artist/writer who escapes here from Manhattan, making plans for the house to become a permanent home.

Design concept and solution: A Neo-New England 1950’s saltbox that could not be altered was already on the site, and the architect’s challenge was to create an addition that would coalesce. The solution is a two-story addition that attaches at one corner, forming the link to the existing structure, as well as a new entrance. A wood and steel pergola, covered in climbing hydrangea, extends across the existing house facade, economically defining an outdoor pathway to the new front door. Translucent cellular polycarbonate panels sheath the upper stair-hall, seen as a glowing lantern at nightfall. Solid walls are natural cedar siding, while the chimney is made of Long Island concrete block, sandblasted to expose the glacially deposited aggregate.

The upstairs sleeping loft affords views of Long Island Sound and Connecticut, over a step hillside of protected vegetation. Underneath sits a sunken living and writing studio, neatly nestled between bluff and garden landscapes.

People

Owner: Withheld

Completion Date: 2009

Gross square footage: 1,700 square feet

Total construction cost: $350,000 (addition)

Architect:
Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects
135 5th Ave
New York, NY 10010
www.ryallporter.com

Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit:
Willaim Ryall, AIA, partner in charge
Brennan McGrath, project architect

General contractor:
Peconic Painting and Renovating (Tamer Pepemehmetoglu)
631-477-0297
168 Central Avenue, Greenport, NY 11944

Photographer(s):
Tyler Cole
332 Bleeker St.
New York, NY 10014
917.774.4740

 

Products

Exterior cladding
Concrete: Sandblasted block chimney
Smithtown (NY) Concrete
Natural concrete floors

Wood: Unfinished cedar siding

Windows
Wood: Marvin

Hardware
Locksets: Modric/Hafele

Interior finishes
Carpet: Aronsons Floor Covering
www.aronsonsfloors.com

Plumbing: Dornbracht bathroom fixtures