Peaks Island Cottage
PROJECT TAGS
LOCATION
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
PHOTOGRAPHY
An informal, year-round island cottage with a southerly exposure to the rear and secondary water views to the southwest in a neighborhood setting. Its layout, like so many cottages, was introverted and very partitioned and its condition was in need of updating.
Island Retreat With Urban Flair
Our client was a single man relocating to the island from Boston. His program was for a simple open living /dining/kitchen and half bath down with two bedrooms and a bath up, his palette evocative of urban lofts.
Contemporary and Relaxed Feel
The design blends an urban loft palette with a summer beach vibe, using materials like sandblasted glass, plain ground steel, and blonde wood. These choices bring a contemporary yet relaxed feel, perfectly balancing the client’s modern tastes with the island setting.
Urban Loft Vibes with Beachy Touch
A large portion of the second floor was removed and a south-facing gable above glazed to bring daylight into the heart of the house while giving an expansive feel to this otherwise modest structure. Circulation was the crux of the solution and the stair expresses this in its splayed posture and floated detailing.
The stair becomes a sculpture that is the background to the space, opening and reorienting the public spaces toward the southerly daylight and water view. Our materials seek to weave together an urban loft palate with a summer beach feeling, using sandblasted glass, plain ground steel, and blonde woods.
Balancing Modern and Cottage Charm
The main challenge was transforming a partitioned, introverted layout into an open, light-filled space. Removing part of the second floor and integrating a south-facing glazed gable required careful planning to ensure the structure’s modest size still felt expansive and airy.
The Result
The renovation successfully opened up the cottage, creating a spacious, light-filled environment that connects with the surrounding water views. The stair, a sculptural centerpiece, reorients the public spaces, achieving the client’s vision of a modern, airy home with coastal charm.
