House over the Water
HOUSE OVER THE WATER / ELLIOTT + ELLIOTT ARCHITECTURE
Elliott + Elliott Architecture
ARCHITECTS
Elliott + Elliott Architecture
LEAD ARCHITECTS
Corey Papadopoli, Matt Elliott
LIGHTING DESIGN
Peter Knuppel
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Michael Boucher
CONSTRUCTION
Mk Purvis
MANUFACTURERS
Dornbracht, B-k Lighting, Benjamin Moore, Eureka Lighting, Rais, Velux Group, Drewexim
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Becker
PHOTOGRAPHS
Trent Bell, Dennis Welsh
AREA
1478 M²
YEAR
2013
LOCATION
Surry, United States
CATEGORY
Houses
Text description provided by architect.
This house defines the edge of a precipitous embankment, one that drops steeply down to Blue Hill Bay.
The environment, though bold, is extremely fragile and heavily susceptible to erosion.
Anchored by a series of piers pinned to ledge beneath the beach, the house is elevated above the ground and flood plain, allowing the terrain to be stabilized below.
A series of seawalls define a terrace while providing a means of adjusting the inclination of the bank.
The volume of the house was governed by zoning regulations which limited the maximum buildable envelope based upon a grandfathered structure that was present on the site and its proximity to the water.
In the main space the roof was pitched to the south to capture daylight and filter it deep into the house, simultaneously providing passive ventilation through high clerestory windows.
The clerestory, in conjunction with skylights, large operable doors, and windows at the floor level, allows the house to remain cool without air conditioning.
This led to a bipartite massing aimed at distributing the majority of the allowable volume to the main living area overlooking the water all while keeping the scale of the structure relatable to the surrounding buildings.
It was a critical project requirement that the home engage the water both visually and physically.
From inside, unobstructed views are achieved through floor to ceiling glass, allowing the expanse of the bay to act as backdrop to the activity inside.
At high tide the water comes under the house providing a sense that one is floating above the sea, lending a feeling of tranquility to the space above.
A set of stone steps from the terrace below descends to the beach and into the water at high tide, providing immediate immersion into the sea.
