Bates Masi + Architects have designed a contemporary home on Long Island, New York, shaped by the area’s coastal history. Its inspiration comes from the historic lifesaving stations that once dotted the Atlantic shoreline, built to shelter crews tasked with watching the horizon and rescuing shipwrecked sailors.
Just across the street, one of those original lifesaving stations still stands among the dunes. Built over a century ago, it played a critical role as a lookout during World War II, even serving as the post where Nazi invaders were once spotted coming ashore. With its elevated decks, cupolas, and vast open storage rooms for boats and gear, the old station provided a wealth of design inspiration for the architects.
The exterior of the home carries forward that same spirit of rugged utility. The architects developed a unique system of bronze bars to hang thick cedar siding boards without drilling directly into the wood. This allows the boards to expand and contract naturally with the weather, just like the weathered cedar shingles on the historic station. Over time, each material, cedar, bronze, and weathering steel, will tell its own story. The cedar graying in the sun, the bronze darkening before turning green, and the steel forming a protective rust-like finish against salty air.
The steel frame of the house not only ensures durability but also allows the main living level to cantilever dramatically above the ground floor. This overhang shades the lower level and creates space for a playful swinging chair that hangs by the pool. The raised design also responds to the floodplain and minimizes the home’s impact on the fragile coastal landscape.
Step inside, and the interiors take on a more grounded tone. A neutral palette of earthy colors keeps the focus on materials and textures, while details reflect the home’s structural ingenuity. A small bar area features hardware-free cabinetry with open shelves that float to display glassware.
The main staircase is suspended from steel beams above, with the rods pulling double duty as both tread supports and guardrails.
The upper level holds the primary living spaces: a light-filled open plan for kitchen, dining, and lounging. A large kitchen island with generous storage divides the area, while expansive windows frame neighborhood views, much like the lookout towers of the lifesaving station across the street. Nearby, an outdoor dining terrace extends the social space, offering fresh air and ocean breezes.
Around the corner, tiered wooden seating creates a sheltered nook to enjoy the outdoors without the coastal winds. Together, these indoor and outdoor spaces reflect the station’s blend of utility and comfort, reinterpreted for modern living.
This Long Island residence is a thoughtful conversation between past and present, honoring maritime heritage, embracing the coastal climate, and creating a home that will weather and evolve beautifully over time.