Modern coastal house by Bates Masi Architects
Genius Loci in Montauk, New York
This charming house stands in the small coastal town of Montauk, New York. Bates Masi Architects drew on the area's history, climate, folklore, and topography when developing the project. The Genius Loci house takes its name from the idea of the spirit of a place, and the design tries to capture Montauk's dramatic atmosphere rather than simply frame a view.
Can this modern coastal house embody the spirit of Montauk? To do so, it has to respond to local tradition, the steep site, the weather, and the legends that make the area memorable.
Discover the remote Genius Loci house
The site was once a horse ranch, giving the project a strong connection to the land. The house is embedded into a steep slope without sacrificing natural light or access to the outdoors. Its cedar-clad forms and careful screens respond to the region's fog, storms, and changing light, while the architecture remains rooted in the landscape.
Covered bridge connecting two volumes
From the south, the house appears to be two modest separate volumes. From the north, it reveals a larger and more complex structure. This modern oceanfront home is full of surprises: a bridge separates public and private areas, views open gradually, and the interior balances casual comfort with refined detailing. Transparent glass and protective wood alternate throughout the house, creating a rhythm between openness and shelter.
Sunny terrace at the modern house on the coast
Traditional aspects of Montauk architecture appear in the low-pitched roof, which is reinterpreted for the modern structure of this coastal house. The covered bridge that connects the two volumes filters light into the courtyard below. During the day it can appear flat and simple; at night, light passes through the patterned boards and reveals the depth of the screen. Similar ideas appear in the bluestone screen, where removed stones allow light into the lower level. These unexpected details reinforce the larger idea of capturing the unexpected.
In essence, this modern waterfront house is designed as a physical expression of Montauk: atmospheric, surprising, and closely tied to its landscape.
Jaz
Modern interior design of the Genius Loci house
Peter Dark
Anna Lohan
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