Water, water, everywhere

Summer homes places to enjoy the outdoors, views, and of course the sun. However, while proximity to the sea brings obvious lifestyle benefits, a site almost completely surrounded by water can create design complications.

This distinctly Cape Cod-style summer home sits at the very end of a small peninsula that allows 270° views over three separate bodies of water. Despite appearing quite large, the home is deceptively compact, says Mark Hutker, principal architect at Hutker Architects.

"The site is surrounded by water, which from a design standpoint is good thing. However, it was also in a sense a bad thing. The home needed to be set a certain distance back from the water, so that defined a small footprint. It seems larger than it is because of the expanse of windows and doors," he says.

Despite the section being over an acre in size, the buildable area was reduced greatly by the requirements of the Conservation Commission. Built on a 100-year flood plain, it was necessary that the home's first floor be five feet above ground level.

To transition the grade and create outdoor living spaces, extensive elevated decks and terraces were incorporated into the design. With its simple white painted trim and cedar shingles, the home reflects the design sensibilities of traditional architecture in the area, says Hutker.

"The distinctive character is not based on type or style, but rather on the views to and from the site, and how the interior extends into the landscaped spaces.

"This is a destination house for the clients and their family and friends, so it receives greater use in the summer. The interior rooms are designed to breathe openly into the terraces and landscape," he says.

The landscaping surrounding the home features a variety of stonework.

"An expressive exterior stone wall organizes three different terraces: a covered wood deck along the house edge, an open stone terrace for exterior dining, and a lower cobbled terrace set into the landscape," says Charles Orr, another principal at Hutker Architects, who worked on the project.

The structural retaining walls and the veneer around the base of the building were built from granite, while the curved landscape wall is constructed from ashlar sedimentary stone. Other stones, such as the cobbles, were sifted from the foundation excavation, enhancing the natural connection to the site.

"One of the lovely things about homes on Cape Cod is how they show the effects of the weather. For instance, cedar turns a driftwood-grey color when exposed to the saltwater environment, which makes the material feel very indigenous," says Hutker.

The clients' desire for as much interior sunlight as possible led to the development of a great room a combination of kitchen, dining, and living areas around a central, sculptural fireplace.

"An open plan for the public spaces offers views through each room and the central fireplace. All of the rooms on the second floor, including the master bedroom and office, have distinct views of the water. A screened porch also offers an exterior experience on the second floor," says Orr.

To provide a sense of warmth to offset the constant shore breezes, the architects chose reclaimed antique heart pine for flooring and wainscoting.

"This type of wood is sourced from old warehouses and other such buildings. Planed down, it has both an aesthetic and structural quality. Because of its age it is very stable. It doesn't move very much, which is important in this humid environment," Orr says.

Story by: Trendsideas