Modern House, Lion’s Head Residence by Bates Masi Architects
The modern American house, Lion’s Head Residence by Bates Masi Architects is located in East Hampton, New York and set on a narrow property atop a bluff overlooking Gardiner’s Bay.
All of the materials for the house are durable and naturally weathering. The wood siding with water-resistant tannins and oils, zinc fascia and slate roofing repurposed as a siding material require little maintenance. The public and private living areas are in the waterside volume, all with spectacular views and access to the beach.
Circulation, baths, and utilities are in the landward volume overlooking the pool. By offsetting the volumes vertically and horizontally, the surface area of the compact design increases, allowing for more windows to admit light and westerly breezes. This slippage also creates intimate outdoor spaces for bathing, entertaining, and dining.
The deep frames in front of each volume provide privacy from neighboring properties while leaving the east and west facades open to views of the water. The frames create spaces that defy the conventional distinctions between indoors and outdoors. At the roof deck, portions of the ceiling and walls are omitted to create an “outdoor room” open to the sky and the landscape, yet more contiguous with the interior than a conventional deck or terrace. The screened porch is similarly open to the elements while remaining integrated with the sequence of interior rooms. The frames direct attention away from the house to the water views and surrounding landscape, further easing the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.
