For this unabashedly modern house, we looked to historical precedents from the classic period of Modernism — the heroic visions of the 1920’s. We sought to soften the stark, white minimalism of those houses with ample use of cedar — very appropriate for a beach house in a summer community.  Exterior cedar solar shades, ceilings, doors and panelling give a warmth to the house that changes as the materials weather and age.  The open plan has an easy flow through living, dining, kitchen, terraces and pool, while private spaces — bedrooms, library and office — provide moments of tranquility when needed.  Stairs, interior and exterior balconies, and large plate glass windows, indoors and out, bring an exciting connectedness throughout the house and landscape. 

Photographer: Richard Powers; Stylist: Anita Sarsidi

Still presenting itself with plenty of character, this much-loved house had declined over the years and lost sight of its original strength and purpose. Vestiges of the original beauty and elegance remained in the living room and entry, but many of the rooms had changed over the years and lost the connection to the outdoors. We restored direct hallways and views to the outside, introduced traditional skylights, and added bedrooms and an outdoor porch sympathetic to the original massing of the house. With decorating by Cullman & Kravis Associates, this house has returned to its rightful place – a local icon, standing proudly overlooking the Atlantic.

Nestled in the artist’s colony along the dunes in Southampton, this house is a modern take on the Arts & Crafts and Queen Anne approaches to the Shingle Style. The welcoming, over-scaled front gable introduces the house while protecting all within. Lantern-like windows punctuate the front, and classic details such as the white eaves and columns, and geometric shingle patterns knit together the facade. Designed for a compact site, the house is a series of rooms from the garden to the interior. Oversized windows bring in light and open the connection between house and garden. Stewart Manger’s elegant decorating continues the theme of a modern interpretation of a classic shingle-style house.

This house was the proud winner of the 2023 McKim, Mead & White Award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art in the category of Residential Architecture – New Construction Over 5,000 SF.

Interior Designer: Stewart Manger; Photographer: Francesco Lagnese

“Wright Architects’s Gin Beach House is a Long Island project that embraces the early, exploratory vocabulary of McKim Mead and White and other foundational Shingle Style and Queen Anne firms, back when idiosyncrasy was the goal. In terms of shapeshifting, there is the primary facade’s broad and dramatically off-center gable, set on axis with the entrance gate and the main walk that traverses a parterre garden. The gable shelters an angular staircase bay that stretches three stories, from ground to sky. Rhythmically glazed and flanked by small pert oriel windows, the bay is a head-turning focal point. The front door, on the other hand, is discreetly tucked to one side of that towering feature and beneath a half dome, partly hidden from view and giving a Narnian effect, like a portal to another world. From the street, Gin Beach House offers a dynamic synthesis of sloping rooflines and curious protuberances: picturesque yet organizing, visible expressions of the floor plan behind the shingles. Add to that charms such as Chinese Chippendale railings, ogee curves, Richardsonian arches, and a Colonial Revival rear porch that is a miniaturized echo of Mount Vernon’s influential piazza, and Douglas Wright Architects’ Gin Beach House delivers a lively and engaging exploration of classicalism and its dialects.”  — Mitch Owen

Developed in the late 1800’s, the community of Short Hills boasts a large number of houses by the most adept residential architects of the last century. Inspired by the neighborhood and classic, traditional houses, but wanting something a little different, our clients asked for a “tough guy” Shingle Style house. The stark black and white announces a “new kid” on the block, while the interiors recall the spatial complexities and detailing of this classic American house style. Simple, flat moldings, piers, columns, and casings frame long views and comfortable rooms. The house and pool house sit in an idyllic landscape designed by Doyle Herman Design Associates. The modern-traditional decorating is by Fawn Galli Interior Design.

Photographer: Richard Powers; Stylist: Anita Sarsidi

With only 8 presidents in the last 135 years, Vassar College changes deliberately and slowly. Built in 1895, the President’s House, a medieval revival style house by Rossiter and Wright Architects of New York, underwent only two minor renovations since construction. The last however, had mired the house in a 60’s academic style and removed the original finishes or delicately balanced colors and materials remaining.  Working with Katie Ridder Interiors and Ed Hollander Landscape Design we restored much of the original balance and design intent, while adapting the plan and incorporating modern technologies. A gently sloping path through the landscape provides wheelchair access to the terrace which we doubled in size for college functions. The full renovation of the public rooms accommodates entertaining and a new president’s office for private and group meetings. New bedroom suites upstairs serve the family, frequent guests, and trustees.  

A new modern pool pavilion complements the Georgian architecture of the main house.

Interior Designer: John Vancheri; Landscape Design: James Doyle; Photographer: Marco Ricca

Multiple renovations through the twentieth century had reduced this house to a rabbit warren of small rooms and winding hallways. Through a full renovation of all areas, we worked with decorator Bunny Williams Interior Design to restore the charm and character of this classic Atlantic seacoast shingle-style house. We realigned rooms and hallways to open views to the harbor, and catch cross breezes. Vintage hardware, window glass, plaster, and mouldings lent character to the spaces. Finally, the addition of a screened porch completed the easy flow from elegant but relaxed interiors to generous porches and gardens.

Photographer: David Sundberg, ESTO

Renovations to this historic 1830’s Connecticut farmhouse started with the directive, “I don’t want to lose any of the character and history of the place.” From what had become a dark maze of interior rooms over nearly two centuries, we created a plan for a modern family. We recast the details of the original house in a completely new layout: original baseboards, doors, trims, and flooring complement a modern design with interiors by Fawn Galli that opens views from spacious rooms to the beautiful surrounding mountains.

Photographer: Costa Picadas

This house was inspired by a vernacular tradition of combining and reusing old buildings — in this case, a carriage house and barn. In the all new construction, antique flooring and beams, and idiosyncratic details recall a well-appointed building on the grounds of a large, country estate. The natural, weathered shingles and muted putty green trim blend the house into its dune landscape.

Mr. Wright led the design and construction administration teams responsible for this project while a Principal with Hart Howerton. Photographer: David Sundberg, ESTO

Generating all its energy through a wind turbine and solar panels, this off-the-grid house merges modern technology with the historic forms of Nantucket. Separate bedroom volumes gather around a great room and deck, evoking an image of fishermen’s cottages on the shore. All rooms have multiple exposures, immersing one in the beautiful dune setting. We worked with Linda Woodrum on the interiors.

Mr. Wright led the design and construction administration teams responsible for this project while a Principal with Hart Howerton. Photographer: Tom Olcott

Like early examples of the Shingle Style, this house dresses up the basic forms of early American architecture with classical details. The formal, symmetrical front reflects a centrally organized plan, while in back, the broad porch and its oversize Doric columns knit together the interior rooms with the spaces of the lush, mature landscape. The restrained palette — grey outside, taupe inside — provides an elegant backdrop to relaxed summer living.

Mr. Wright led the design and construction administration teams responsible for this project while a Principal with Hart Howerton. Photographer: David Sundberg, ESTO