In approaching the design for this guest house we faced an uncommon challenge: our client requested functional attic space without sacrificing spatial variety, as a full attic would translate in undesirable proportions and a flat ceiling throughout. We solved this by introducing a gently twisting roof that transitions seamlessly from east to west. This move balances functional storage with dynamic, high-volume living spaces while keeping a single, cohesive structural form.
To the east, the roofline accommodates a two story volume, positioning the attic above an intimate bedroom and bathroom layout. As the roof twists toward the west, it transitions into a grand single story volume, allowing the kitchen and living room to benefit from soaring ceilings and the dramatic visual impact of an exposed pitched roof.
The interior layout creates an open, flowing environment centered on continuous movement and sightlines. By cutting the interior walls short before they reach the exterior shell, the design replaces traditional doorways with peripheral transition zones, ensuring natural light and views wrap uninterrupted around the perimeter of the home.
House on an Island was designed to create a strong connection to the surrounding dramatic landscape of Shelter Island. All interior walls and volumes were clad in construction-grade plywood, creating a continuous spatial flow and reinforcing the connection to the surrounding landscape.
