East Coast Cottage Redefined in East Hampton

Location: East Hampton, New York | Project Size: 4,500 sq. ft. | Completion: September 2024

Project Overview

Nestled in a lush forested site in East Hampton, this 4,500-square-foot residence reimagines the traditional East Coast cottage through a contemporary lens. The clients—a couple drawn to the timeless charm of New England’s gabled roofs—collaborated with Oza Sabbeth Architects (now split into Sabbeth Projects and Oza Studio) to create a home that balances historic inspiration with modernist clarity. The result is a harmonious blend of sharp geometric forms and organic curves, reflecting both the region’s vernacular and the owners’ desire for innovative design.

Design Solution: Symmetry and Fluidity

The architects embraced rotational symmetry as a core principle, organizing the layout around a central double-height atrium with a floating staircase. Key features:

Distinct Program Separation: Ground-floor living spaces flow seamlessly, while three second-floor bedrooms radiate around the atrium for privacy.
Curved Gables: A series of pitched roofs with softly curved peaks unify the structure, merging geometric rigor with lyrical movement.
Sightline Emphasis: Clear visual connections between the living room, dining area, and kitchen enhance spatial continuity.

Interior details custom cabinetry, curved millwork, and rounded furnishings subtly echo the home’s architectural language, bridging history and modernity.

Structure and Materials

To evoke East Coast rural aesthetics, the team employed a restrained palette:

Exterior: Vertical wood siding and cedar shingles in warm gray tones.
Modern Contrasts: Black steel columns and expansive glazing ground the design in the present.
Landscape Integration: The 2-acre site features native plantings and a greenhouse, blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries.

Project Details

Construction Cost: $5M (includes landscaping)
Team:
Architect: Oza Sabbeth Architects
Interior Design: Monica Fried Design
Landscape: Summerhill Landscape
Contractor: McLoughlin Construction Corp.
Photography: Nicholas Venezia

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This East Hampton retreat masterfully reinterprets New England’s architectural heritage through a lens of modernity, with its rotational symmetry and curved gables offering a fresh take on vernacular forms. While the design excels in aesthetic cohesion, a deeper exploration of sustainable material choices given the forested setting could have elevated its environmental ethos. That said, the project’s disciplined material palette and emphasis on spatial harmony set a compelling precedent for regionally inspired contemporary homes, proving that tradition and innovation need not be mutually exclusive

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