Leroy Street Studio

Located in a dune field between the beach and a wetland preserve, this upside-down house emerges from the sand with a rough-hewn stone plinth base and glazed upper floors. To maximize views of the ocean and wetlands, the public living spaces are situated on the upper level while the private areas are nestled in the dunescape on the house’s lower level.

The entry foyer has been designed as a double height “cut” through the building, emphasizing the views of the surrounding dunes. The master suite cantilevers over the pool terrace with floor-to-ceiling windows capturing 180-degree headland, pond, and ocean vistas. The main floor features a cantilevered terrace roof with a “James Turrell” hole that invites the gazer’s eye skyward.

Due to the strict regulations of the wetlands site, certain challenges were faced before and during construction, including a delay due to a protected bird’s breeding season. To meet stringent energy codes, the house incorporates green technology—a green roof, geothermal heating, solar panels, and in-floor heating.

With its detailing and emphasis on natural materials, this modern, yet relaxed home is mindful of its protected site and celebrates the dune-swept landscape on which it sits.