Tree House
Lot size: 0.15 acres
Building size: 1,440 sq. ft.
Location: Fire Island, NY
Program: Single Family Residence
Photographer: Courtesy of the owner
Contractor: William A. Lynch
On a National Seashore island with divergent communities, this two-level house, referred to by its Owner as his “tree house”, is situated in a dense grove of pines and hollies. Served for the most part by wooden walkways, the island is primarily seasonal with a lively social scene in the warmer months and a more reflective atmosphere in the cooler days and nights.
After briefly considering renovating an old waterfront house, the Owner, an interior designer, bought the heavily wooded lot close to the bay that he wanted to see from the main living level. His aesthetic was simple, opting for the architecture and natural surroundings to be the dominant elements.
The approach to the closely positioned cubes leads to a walled deck and glass entrance. Two guest bedrooms, bath, and guest deck are on the first floor with a steel stair leading to the living, dining, kitchen, master suite, and deck on the second floor with views of the bay and treetops.
All exterior and interior wall surfaces and cabinets are rough-cut cypress; the flooring is bleached oak. The ceilings are exposed fir structural members, and doors and windows are aluminum. The wall-hung fireplace provides heat on cool spring and autumn days and evenings.
The 1” X 12” cypress vertical louvers on the high windows reduce the intensity of the southern sun. The east and west walls of the house have selected views but are virtually blank because of the close proximity of the neighbors and a community walkway.
Whether alone or with guests and coupled with the often erratic weather, the serenity of the elevated spaces was a welcome respite for the Owner for many years from a crowded and busy professional life in the city.
After briefly considering renovating an old waterfront house, the Owner, an interior designer, bought the heavily wooded lot close to the bay that he wanted to see from the main living level. His aesthetic was simple, opting for the architecture and natural surroundings to be the dominant elements.
The approach to the closely positioned cubes leads to a walled deck and glass entrance. Two guest bedrooms, bath, and guest deck are on the first floor with a steel stair leading to the living, dining, kitchen, master suite, and deck on the second floor with views of the bay and treetops.
All exterior and interior wall surfaces and cabinets are rough-cut cypress; the flooring is bleached oak. The ceilings are exposed fir structural members, and doors and windows are aluminum. The wall-hung fireplace provides heat on cool spring and autumn days and evenings.
The 1” X 12” cypress vertical louvers on the high windows reduce the intensity of the southern sun. The east and west walls of the house have selected views but are virtually blank because of the close proximity of the neighbors and a community walkway.
Whether alone or with guests and coupled with the often erratic weather, the serenity of the elevated spaces was a welcome respite for the Owner for many years from a crowded and busy professional life in the city.