North-by-Northeast

This house sits on a bluff at a point where the highland subtly bends, creating a promontory from which much of the several square mile Nauset system can be seen. Spectacular views spanning from northwest to southeast are possible from the site, although the bend in the shoreline creates a triangular lot that posed planning challenges. Turning challenges into design opportunities, a substantial home was created that acts like a knuckle, maximizing frontage to the wraparound view and taking full advantage of the high plateau above the beloved beach, dunes, marsh, and ocean. Traversing the steps down the bluff, through the dunes, and across the beach to the surf is a magical experience, as is just sitting still and taking it all in.

Project Category	Seaside
Scope of Work	Architecture, Construction
Finished Space Above Grade	4,367
Photography	Brian Vanden Brink

Windswept beach and dunes separate the bluff from the ocean and screen the outdoor living spaces from people on the beach.

A whale weathervane spins in the breeze on the roof of North-By-Northeast.

Shingle cladding allows forms to appear carved, layered, and sinuous. The shingles “stretch” over them as if they are a textured but taught membrane.

The entry sequence starts with a walk down a classic summer cottage-inspired porch.

A wing with both entry porch and garage projects forward toward the apex of the triangle. The tightest spot on the site is where the only road frontage exists.

Shingle cladding allows forms to appear carved, layered, and sinuous. The shingles “stretch” over them as if they are a textured but taught membrane. A whale weathervane spins in the breeze as it presides over the fun. Fat window muntins (grid bars) are in scale with the large windows and emphasize the windows graphically. Simple shutters add a little color and domesticity. After entering the end of the porch facing the street, one passes three arched openings on the way to the front door. Tiny windows into the garage punctuate the bays.

A small but spatially dynamic entry and stair hall greets visitors before they arrive at the view-centric living space.

The arcade and transom lights end at the edge of the corner fireplace. The fireplace anchors the back corner of the extended living, dining, and kitchen space. With a mannerist touch, the last column transforms into a half-height pilaster to sit on a base of wainscot for the entry and stair hall beyond.

Living, dining, and kitchen spaces line up to take in the view.

In the kitchen at the breakfast table are built-in bench seats.

Living, dining, and kitchen spaces line up to take in the view.

The living spaces have coffered ceilings, each with their own scale and detail shapes. The billowing wood moldings alternate with sharp linear grid lines. The central arcade defines the edge between the living spaces and the circulation space. These spaces have their own character and separation but do not impede social flow.

Looking through a screen wall/arcade of flat columns reveals a portion of the stair in the hall space. The craftsmanship of the stair puts it in the realm of fine furniture.

Gambrel roof shapes and smooth-to-the-hand carved and painted wood creates special, and playful, stair parts for a special house.

Cut-out diamonds decorate the built-in cubbies in the mudroom, which is also across the arcade from the living spaces. One column occurs, as if a singular sculptural element, on center with the mudroom opening.

The primary bedroom occupies the tower that captures view up, down, and over the beach. The hallway within the primary bedroom suite widens at a dormer into a dressing space. Built-in cabinetry and concealed closet doors are covered with v-groove paneling. Used like wallpaper, running continuously over the doors, drawers, and face frames. A playfully abstracted classical fireplace surround ties into the detailing elsewhere in the house. A shaped ceiling that ascends to a cupola adds to the light, airy feeling of the room.