Andrew Franz Architect PLLC Designs Long-lasting

Defining the Unique Features of the Project

One of the most remarkable aspects of this home is its seamless integration with the surrounding landscape, creating a harmonious balance between architecture and nature. Rather than standing out, the structure blends effortlessly into its environment, allowing the beauty of the site to take center stage.

A key design element is the open and airy layout, which encourages a strong connection to the outdoors. The house features a breezeway, multiple covered porches, brise soleil, and expansive glazing, all thoughtfully incorporated to invite natural light, fresh air, and breathtaking views into the living spaces. This design approach constantly reminds residents of the importance of outdoor living, reinforcing a lifestyle that embraces nature.

Perhaps the most striking architectural feature is the cantilevered porch and living area, which extends outward in a bold yet understated gesture. Supported by a massive concrete pier and board-formed retaining walls, this element remains subtly concealed from the front, only revealing its grandeur from the rear. This clever design choice maintains the home’s low-profile aesthetic while enhancing the sense of openness and fluidity between the built environment and its natural surroundings.

Overcoming Design Challenges: Innovation & Efficiency

Designing this home came with two significant challenges that required careful planning and creative problem-solving.

The first challenge stemmed from its island location—while the serene setting adds to the home’s charm, it also brings logistical complexities. Every construction material had to be transported via ferry, making the building process slower and more demanding. Coordinating deliveries and ensuring efficiency in material use was crucial to keeping the project on track.

The second challenge was maximizing space within a compact footprint. The design needed to accommodate a master suite, three guest rooms, and spacious living areas—features typically found in a home twice this size. To minimize environmental impact, the structure was carefully confined to a single horizontal bar facing the water, optimizing the small lot without overwhelming the landscape.

To achieve a sense of openness and functionality, each room was meticulously scaled and arranged enfilade, ensuring that no space was wasted on unnecessary hallways. The bathrooms were designed to be compact, and storage solutions were streamlined to eliminate the need for an attic. This minimalist approach allowed for a sleek, efficient design that not only meets the homeowners’ needs but also remains respectful to the natural site.

Designing in Harmony with the Natural Landscape

The unique setting of this home, nestled on a small island on Long Island’s East End, played a crucial role in shaping its design. Positioned between a dense wooded forest on one side and a bluff overlooking a sandy beach and water on the other, the home was carefully designed to blend seamlessly into its surroundings rather than dominate them.

To minimize its impact on the landscape, the structure follows the natural slope of the terrain, keeping a low profile rather than disrupting the existing tree line. The flat roofs with extended eaves emphasize horizontal proportions, making the two-story residence appear smaller and more integrated with the environment. This thoughtful design approach allows the house to visually dissolve into the landscape, especially when viewed from the water.

Every aspect of the home is oriented to prioritize breathtaking views, maximizing the connection between the interior, exterior, and surrounding natural elements. The positioning of the house ensures that each space captures sunlight, water views, and the tranquility of the environment, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.

Thoughtful Material Selection: Durability Meets Natural Aesthetics

The material selection for this project was guided by a commitment to longevity, low maintenance, and a deep connection to nature. A carefully curated palette of red cedar, cypress, white oak, New York bluestone, Vermont marble, Virginia soapstone, and handcrafted tiles from Sausalito, CA was chosen to enhance both durability and aesthetic appeal.

Natural materials like wood and stone were intentionally incorporated to provide a tactile experience, grounding the home’s occupants in the surrounding environment. These materials were selected not only for their visual and sensory richness but also for their ability to conceal sand and other outdoor elements that might be brought in from the beach.

A key design approach was the use of “living” finishes throughout the home’s interior and exterior, allowing materials to age gracefully over time with minimal upkeep. Instead of traditional urethane or varnish, VOC-free natural oil finishes were applied to all wood surfaces, preserving their organic beauty while maintaining environmental sustainability.

A Standout Design Element: The Sculptural Staircase

Among the many intricate design details in the home, the sculptural staircase stands out as a defining feature. While the architecture predominantly follows a rigid, linear framework, this gracefully curving stairway introduces a dynamic contrast. Acting as a fluid transition between the main living area and the private upper level, it softens the otherwise structured and geometric aesthetic of the home. This striking feature not only adds a sense of movement but also serves as an artistic centerpiece, elevating the overall design.

Sustainability at the Core of Design

Sustainability was a key guiding principle in the design of this home, with a focus on energy efficiency, longevity, and minimizing environmental impact. The goal was to create a high-performance residence that blends seamlessly with its delicate surroundings while reducing its ecological footprint.

To achieve this, the project incorporates advanced passive house strategies and innovative construction techniques. Features such as thick insulated framing, a continuously insulated building envelope, and energy-recovery ventilation significantly enhance the home’s thermal performance. A continuous air barrier, along with strategically placed high-performance operable windows and doors, optimizes natural airflow and indoor climate control. Additionally, deep eaves on the southern and western facades provide natural shading, reducing the reliance on artificial cooling and lowering overall energy demands.

The size and layout of the home were also carefully planned to minimize its footprint and energy consumption. The incorporation of multiple independent climate zones ensures that only the necessary spaces are heated or cooled at any given time, further improving efficiency.

Beyond energy conservation, the landscape was designed with native plants and minimal lawn areas, reducing the need for irrigation. Locally sourced, sustainable, and natural materials were selected not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their resilience and durability, ensuring that the home remains environmentally responsible for generations to come.

Client Experience and Response

Feedback from the homeowners and post-occupancy visits have confirmed the success of the design in fostering a deep connection to nature. By incorporating biophilic principles, the home naturally encourages residents to engage with the outdoors, enhancing their overall well-being. During the warmer months, the layout seamlessly integrates with the landscape, drawing occupants outside, while in cooler seasons, the design creates inviting indoor spaces with a cozy fireplace and intimate nooks, ensuring comfort year-round.

A Reflection of Our Design Philosophy

The East End House is a true embodiment of our firm’s core values and design approach. Rooted in biophilia, the project exemplifies our dedication to crafting spaces that strengthen the connection between people and the natural world. Beyond aesthetics, this home represents our commitment to sustainability, incorporating low-impact, energy-efficient solutions that ensure longevity and minimal maintenance.

Rather than adhering to fleeting trends, this project offers a redefined vision of luxury—one that prioritizes environmental harmony, high performance, and long-term durability. By blending timeless design with sustainable innovation, the East End House stands as a model for responsible, enduring architecture that enhances both human experience and ecological well-being.

A Deeper Look into the Construction of East End House

While the East End House may appear effortlessly integrated into its surroundings, its construction presented unique challenges that required innovative engineering solutions. Designed to maximize water views while minimizing environmental impact, the home was strategically cantilevered over the hillside. This approach eliminated the need for extensive regrading, preserving the natural slope and creating a striking floating outdoor space. Achieving this required advanced steel framing, while the thin, floating roof planes demanded a combination of steel beams and custom steel cruciform columns to maintain structural integrity.

One of the most complex challenges emerged during the foundation phase. Investigations revealed that the leveled area of the hillside had been artificially filled in the 1950s, making it unsuitable for standard footings. As a result, the foundation had to be anchored 30 feet below the first floor, reaching stable, compacted sand to ensure long-term structural stability.

Project Team & Collaborators

• Architectural Design: Andrew Franz, AIA, LEED AP (Principal), Anne Mason Kemper (Project Manager)
• Structural Engineering: Robert Silman Associates
• Mechanical Engineering: Zero Energy Design
• Civil Engineering: Steven L. Maresca & Associates
• Landscape Design: Edmund Hollander Design
• Environmental Consultation: EN-Consultants
• General Contractor: Artisan Construction Associates, Inc.
• Additional Consultants: Precision Home Theater (AV), Saskas Surveying, F. Michael Hemmer, LS, PC

Materials & Finishes

The project embraced durable, natural materials that blend seamlessly with the environment while requiring minimal maintenance:

• Exterior Siding: Oiled western red cedar board and batten
• Roofing: PVC flat roof with copper eaves and fascia
• Windows: Mahogany casement, awning, and fixed windows (painted exterior, natural interior)
• Chimney: Concrete masonry clad in brick
• Structural Elements: Exposed western red cedar beams, mahogany-clad steel cruciform columns
• Flooring: Oiled American white oak, New York bluestone tile, cement tile
• Interior Walls & Ceilings: Solid cypress paneling, raw plaster, Heath Ceramics tile
• Custom Cabinetry: Solid cypress

The East End House exemplifies the seamless fusion of innovative engineering, timeless design, and environmental responsibility, ensuring a long-lasting retreat that enhances rather than disrupts its natural surroundings.