Residence

Ensemble House

Photo of Sagaponack House by MBB Architects

Designed as a gathering of shingled volumes around a courtyard, this 4,500-square-foot second home in Sagaponack, New York, defers to the scale and texture of the surrounding farms. The client, a professional couple, wanted a home that captured the rustic spirit of the area as they fondly remembered it from childhood summers. The 1.75-acre site plan conserves the footprint of pre-existing buildings on the site as well as mature trees, including a towering honey locust—a living sculpture at the heart of the newly formed courtyard.

Opening to cooling cross-breezes, the main house is split into two volumes, one for living spaces and one for bedrooms. The transparent vestibule that joins the two wings offers a glimpse of the rear meadow landscape from the courtyard entrance. With its traditional gabled forms and fenestration, the home’s street-facing (east) elevation matches the historic context. The modernist west elevation opens to the shaded deck and meadow landscape through a 33-foot-long sliding glass wall. Interior spaces are defined by filtered daylight, layered views, and natural materials.

Reflecting the client’s desire to live lightly on the land, the home is powered by a 20kW rooftop photovoltaic array and a closed-loop geothermal system. Roof angles are calculated to maximize the efficiency of the solar panels while concealing them from view. The driveway incorporates salvaged red brick, and the pool is surrounded by pollinator-friendly greenery.