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There is a re-centering between the porch and the “Federal Style” façade. The peak of the roof at the fan light falls in the center between two windows above that are symmetrically placed in the façade above. The dormers mark both centers—the entry and the Federal.

Sandy Bluff

Sometimes devising a narrative can set the direction for an architectural design. The idea of “grown-over-time” is one such narrative. Despite its location in coastal southern New England, Sandy Bluff was originally built around the turn of the 21st Century as a sprawling mountain lodge-like home separated into distinct volumes—a center/near wing, and two far wings. The entire foundation and far wings were workable for the new owners of the home, but the center and near wing were not. PSD sought a design that would function as a completely new home but incorporate the existing elements after the center/near wing was removed.

A channel to a nearby harbor keeps the view from the house dynamic. The view of the house from the channel is dynamic too.
Renovation
Scope of Work Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Construction
Finished Space Above Grade 6,810
Photography Brian Vanden Brink
The arched colonnade and abstracted fan light entry bay glow like lanterns at night.

This is a grand estate home that sits at the edge between order and chaos—that looks like it grew thoughtfully and deliberately over time, and through multiple stylistic eras, even though the time trajectory of its growth is more or less within the last quarter century.

Efficient re-use of the existing conditions demanded an irregular, additive composition, so integration of the parts was through materials (like the shingle wrapper), repeated motifs at different scales in different locations (like the arches that are porch columns, widow’s walk balustrade, and arbor and gate patterns), and a loose but studied assemblage of historically-rooted New England vernacular forms, shapes, and details. Multiple scales, vertical and horizontal directional shifts, materials/finishes, and isolated but not overall symmetry exist in an eclectic and sophisticated balance.

Modern classicism might sound like an oxymoron, but architectural oxymorons add richness and fun. The screen wall is flat like a billboard (Modern), but it has a traditional fanlight (Classical) cut into it. Grooves cover the whole plane and run off the edges of the abstracted cut out spaces (Modern), but the base on which it sits has a bulbous molding that looks like it is bulging under the weight above (Classical).
The primary suite has a large window that overlooks an arbor that acts as a gateway to a different world. A three-car garage is underneath.
Stepping through the parallel arches of the arbor brings you from the public world of coming and going to a private world of serenity where relaxation blends with infinity edge pool, blends with ocean, blends with sky.

Stepping through the parallel arches of the arbor brings you from the public world of coming and going to a private world of serenity where relaxation blends with infinity edge pool, blends with ocean, blends with sky.

Outdoor living occurs in a magical realm between house and ocean—the centerpiece being a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen and bar area, along with an infinity-edge pool and spa. Like the house, the landscape design allows for socializing, play, or just quietude.

Outdoor living occurs in a magical realm between house and ocean—the centerpiece being a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen and bar area, along with an infinity-edge pool and spa. Like the house, the landscape design allows for socializing, play, or just quietude.
Light pours out of the house and onto the terrace and is enhanced by subtle outdoor lighting worked into the roof overhangs, steps, and countertops. Candles are nice too, when the wind dies down.
The outdoor kitchen and infinity edge pool sit high above the natural plantings on the protected coastal bank. A new gate beyond sits at the top of steps down to the water. Its design matches the gate in the arbor.
The eclecticism continues at the water side with multiple gables and a gentle curved roof that could be found on historic estates in Newport or Lenox. Imagine yourself in an oval. Both oval windows have retreat spaces—seats in nooks—behind them.

As the two end wings (with roof ridges perpendicular to the main house) were re-used, the house location was pre-determined. The new landscape design, however, stretches outdoor living space beyond the limits of the house to take full advantage of the length of the waterfront.

Just inside the front door, an initial low ceiling gives way to a soaring space occupied by an elegant stair. The disposition of the stair is sculptural—a free-standing object that partially separates living, dining, and entry spaces. A reverse curve balcony edge receives the top of the stairs and elegantly connects the stair to the circulation space between the guest rooms. The stair banisters playfully evoke the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, which was itself a reference to another piece of architecture, the Torre del Mangia is Sienna, Italy.
The family space includes a high ceiling in the center, mid-level ceiling at the sides, and low ceiling in cozy nooks. The variety of scale accommodates a variety of social interactions, all with spectacular views.
A colonnade of flat “Greek” columns, transom windows, and large interior windows create a demarcation between the stair hall and family room. Each dormer gets a light fixture.

Just inside the front door, an initial low ceiling gives way to a soaring space occupied by an elegant stair.

The disposition of the stair is sculptural—a free-standing object that partially separates living, dining, and entry spaces. A reverse curve balcony edge receives the top of the stairs and elegantly connects the stair to the circulation space between the guest rooms. The family space includes a high ceiling in the center, mid-level ceiling at the sides, and low ceiling in cozy nooks. The variety of scale accommodates a variety of social interactions, all with spectacular views. A colonnade of flat “Greek” columns, transom windows, and large interior windows create a demarcation between the stair hall and family room. Two islands provide work, serving, and dining space in the kitchen. The breakfast nook and screened-in porch beyond project out toward the ocean, giving them view and light from three directions.

Two islands provide work, serving, and dining space in the kitchen. The breakfast nook and screened-in porch beyond project out toward the ocean, giving them view and light from three directions.
Wood cut by computer-controlled machines offers endless design possibilities for millwork. Mudroom cubbies and trim take full advantage.
A nook for rest and relaxation is on the route up to the second-floor primary bedroom suite. A series of stair landings navigate the existing condition floor levels.

Wood cut by computer-controlled machines offers endless design possibilities for millwork. Mudroom cubbies and trim take full advantage.

A nook for rest and relaxation is on the route up to the second-floor primary bedroom suite. A series of stair landings navigate the existing condition floor levels. The second-floor primary bedroom is a light-filled space with a private balcony and a forever view. The room also contains an intimate nook for reading (or hiding!) next to another abstracted classical fireplace surround, this time with “ionic” columns. The adjacent bathroom leads to a dressing room that is also connected to the laundry room. A large window floods the space with natural light.

The second-floor primary bedroom is a light-filled space with a private balcony and a forever view.
The room also contains an intimate nook for reading (or hiding!) next to another abstracted classical fireplace surround, this time with “ionic” columns.
The adjacent bathroom leads to a dressing room that is also connected to the laundry room. A large window floods the space with natural light.

Like the exterior form of the house, the interior spaces are delightfully complex.

The screened-in porch is a light-filled part-interior, part-exterior room with a spectacular view.

As Seen In...


Chatham Living By The Sea Spr Sum24 PSD Sandy Bluff
Chatham Living by the Sea

Drawn to the Ocean, by Jennifer Sperry, Spring-Summer 2024.

PSD's "Sandy Bluff" project is featured on the cover and within the Cape & Islands 2023 issue.
New England Home

Nip & Tuck, by Fred Albert, Annual Cape & Islands 2023.