Vineyard Sound

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

This Aquinnah residence in Martha's Vineyard sits on a windswept, rolling terrain overlooking Vineyard Sound. This vacation home, designed in compliance with strict zoning laws, employs simple volumes perforated by dramatic landscape views. The sheath of cedar siding wraps the house, allowing for a volumetric reading of the space. At the scale of the site, the building disappears into geometric shapes that recede into and frame views of the Vineyard Sound. Compressed exterior passageways force motion through the space creating a visual and experiential link into the exquisite landscape and views beyond.

At an efficient 1,300 sf, the floor plan reinforces the notion of the site as a camp. Exposed pathways force the experience of nature, while a rooftop deck provides a remarkable vantage point from which to view the Gayhead lighthouse and sound. The program includes combined living, dining, and kitchen occupying the central volume. The master bedroom and bath occupy the downhill volume, while two children's rooms with a shared bath and outdoor shower, occupy the uphill volume. A stainless steel stair, which stands in elegant contrast to the natural cedar siding, links the second floor deck to the patio off the living room. Because of the use of flat and low-sloped roofs, the structure could not exceed 13 feet as mandated by the zoning ordinance.