CALF CREEK
Water Mill, NY
Nestled within a serene landscape, Calf Creek redefines contemporary elegance through a harmonious blend of grounded materials and light-filled, open spaces. The home’s distinct character unfolds through a series of bespoke, terracotta-clad pavilions, which anchor the residence within its natural surroundings while framing intimate spaces for family life. The concave-formed terracotta establishes a tactile connection to the land, imparting a timeless quality to the site and fostering a profound sense of belonging.
At the heart of the design, a transparent glass enclosure bridges two of the terracotta pavilions, transforming the core of the residence into an expansive, light-filled gathering space. A breezeway subtly slips between the glass enclosure and the guest wing, creating a gentle sense of privacy while seamlessly ushering nature through the heart of the home. This glass-wrapped center dissolves the boundary between indoors and outdoors, inviting sweeping views and abundant natural light. Here, architecture and landscape intertwine harmoniously, offering a sanctuary where the distinctions between inside and out gracefully fade.
Above, a stone-clad volume appears to float effortlessly, housing the private family and guest suites. In a striking inversion of classical hierarchy, this solid, weighty element hovers over the transparent first floor, subverting traditional notions of a grounded base and lighter top. The result is both bold and ethereal, underscoring the residence’s modern reinterpretation of timeless design principles.
Crowning this composition is an expansive roof that extends dramatically over the entire structure. Sleek and paper-thin in appearance, it hovers like a protective canopy, providing shade while unifying the architectural forms below. At its center, a thoughtfully positioned oculus, inspired by James Turrell’s iconic Skyspaces, frames the sky as a moment of reflection. This aperture invites the shifting play of light and shadow, connecting the home to nature’s rhythms and creating an ever-evolving dialogue.
With its rich interplay of terracotta, glass, and stone, Calf Creek exemplifies a refined approach to modern living, where each architectural gesture deepens the connection between home, inhabitant, and environment. Both grounded and elevated, intimate yet expansive, this residence stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design and the quiet beauty of restraint.
At the heart of the design, a transparent glass enclosure bridges two of the terracotta pavilions, transforming the core of the residence into an expansive, light-filled gathering space. A breezeway subtly slips between the glass enclosure and the guest wing, creating a gentle sense of privacy while seamlessly ushering nature through the heart of the home. This glass-wrapped center dissolves the boundary between indoors and outdoors, inviting sweeping views and abundant natural light. Here, architecture and landscape intertwine harmoniously, offering a sanctuary where the distinctions between inside and out gracefully fade.
Above, a stone-clad volume appears to float effortlessly, housing the private family and guest suites. In a striking inversion of classical hierarchy, this solid, weighty element hovers over the transparent first floor, subverting traditional notions of a grounded base and lighter top. The result is both bold and ethereal, underscoring the residence’s modern reinterpretation of timeless design principles.
Crowning this composition is an expansive roof that extends dramatically over the entire structure. Sleek and paper-thin in appearance, it hovers like a protective canopy, providing shade while unifying the architectural forms below. At its center, a thoughtfully positioned oculus, inspired by James Turrell’s iconic Skyspaces, frames the sky as a moment of reflection. This aperture invites the shifting play of light and shadow, connecting the home to nature’s rhythms and creating an ever-evolving dialogue.
With its rich interplay of terracotta, glass, and stone, Calf Creek exemplifies a refined approach to modern living, where each architectural gesture deepens the connection between home, inhabitant, and environment. Both grounded and elevated, intimate yet expansive, this residence stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design and the quiet beauty of restraint.