OCEAN WALK HOME
FIRE ISLAND

With a nod to the horizontality and expansiveness of a California beach-front dwelling, this new construction home in Fire Island Pines frames the views of the Atlantic Ocean while capturing the sights of the beach below. The owner desired a plan that maximized the square footage on this constrained lot. Our solution began by breaking the house into two horizontal bands, one perched on top of the other. Through careful adjustments in the alignment, we achieve maximum usage of the lot, while maintaining a beautiful and intricate exterior. Overhangs and louvered awnings were placed to expand on the horizontal lines and give additional shade and cover to the exterior spaces.

NEPTUNE BEACH HOUSE

Fire Island Pines, NY

BASS WALK

Fire Island Pines, NY

SHORE WALK

Fire Island Pines, NY

A property purchased sight-unseen revealed a 1959 ranch house that had seen better days on a bay-front lot overrun by bamboo and phragmites. Paying careful attention to grandfathered coverage, the house was expanded just enough to provide three bedrooms with their own bathrooms, a new dining area, and new finishes throughout. Ceilings were raised, windows and doors replaced, and all-new HVAC was provided for year-round use. The yard was cleared of both bamboo and phragmites, and re-planned with salt-tolerant flowering shrubs to provide a private interior garden at the entry along with expansive water views of the bay.

TEMPLE TO THE SUN

Fire Island Pines, NY

A restoration with additions to the Frank House, a beach bungalow by prominent mid-century modernist architect Andrew Geller. Our scope included repair of the dilapidated structure, site work and removal of insensitive additions for owner Philip Monaghan. The kitchen is relocated, interior spaces are reorganized, a lower level guest suite is added and a striking entry sequence showcases Geller’s temple to the sun. The entry walk slides along the side of the house and collects at particularly impressive views culminating on the roof where a large bench serves as an altar to the sea and setting sun.

Photography: Tad Mike

Published :
New York Daily News
Newsday, “An Appreciation of Andrew Geller’s Homes”
Dwell, “Must-See Beach Houses on Fire Island Tour”
Forbes, “Homes with Amazing Windows”
Mid-Century Modern Complete, Dominic Bradbury (Abrams, 2014)
Interior Design Close Up, Dominic Bradbury (Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2015)

BAY WALK

Fire Island Pines, NY

This is a complete renovation of a modern beach bungalow on the Great South Bay. The renovation opens the central core of the house to create a long view through the main living spaces to the bay beyond.  The form of the roof plane was exposed and separated from the interior walls to accentuate the feeling that the roof is floating above you. Two pods which contain secondary spaces serve as a gate framing the view to the water but keep the open plan from feeling overly exposed.

WATER ISLAND

Water Island, NY

The Fire Island barrier island is a thin strip of sand off the south shore of Long Island, New York. The Great South Bay is to the north of the island, the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Two modest beach bungalows were relocated on the site and rebuilt along a striking boardwalk which floats above the beach brush, connecting the Great South Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. The main house faces the ocean and the guest house faces the bay. A new pool bungalow, inspired by the form of the houses, is perched between them.