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Collection by Susan Getzendanner

Vacation Home

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Located on a steep site with limited suitable building ground, the firm decided to cantilever the home over the hillside, which has the effect of helping the structure blend in with the landscape.
Located on a steep site with limited suitable building ground, the firm decided to cantilever the home over the hillside, which has the effect of helping the structure blend in with the landscape.
Outside, the deck is equipped with a grill, a concrete dining table by Landscape Forms, chairs by Zanotta, and retractable insect screens from Phantom Screens—a necessity in the humid climate.
Outside, the deck is equipped with a grill, a concrete dining table by Landscape Forms, chairs by Zanotta, and retractable insect screens from Phantom Screens—a necessity in the humid climate.
The east-facing pool terrace is outfitted with a series of Eos lounge chairs (and plenty of inflatable swim toys).
The east-facing pool terrace is outfitted with a series of Eos lounge chairs (and plenty of inflatable swim toys).
Native New Yorkers, the Merola family have long held a tradition of spending summers in Rhode Island. When they learned the costs of renovating their existing cottage would significantly outweigh the benefits, they instead opted to build new. The result—a distinctively modernist box structure clad in milled slats of charred, brushed, and oiled cypress manufactured by Delta Millworks—sits nestled within the marshy landscape of Quonochontaug Pond.
Native New Yorkers, the Merola family have long held a tradition of spending summers in Rhode Island. When they learned the costs of renovating their existing cottage would significantly outweigh the benefits, they instead opted to build new. The result—a distinctively modernist box structure clad in milled slats of charred, brushed, and oiled cypress manufactured by Delta Millworks—sits nestled within the marshy landscape of Quonochontaug Pond.
The home is defined by two types of windows: large punch openings for views onto the landscape and vertical windows everywhere else.
The home is defined by two types of windows: large punch openings for views onto the landscape and vertical windows everywhere else.
Lean Machine-Architect Jesper Brask waited three years studying the site of his future vacation home before building, ultimately using wood felled in the space where the house was built and perfecting a design that melds indoors and out. Photo by: Karina Tengberg
Lean Machine-Architect Jesper Brask waited three years studying the site of his future vacation home before building, ultimately using wood felled in the space where the house was built and perfecting a design that melds indoors and out. Photo by: Karina Tengberg
The overall program is centered around the notion of light and shade as a “pervasive experience,” says architect Andrew Bernheimer, whose firm collaborated with Wes Deane of Highland Builders. Double-height skylights alternate along an east–west axis to take advantage of natural light patterns throughout the day. The aluminum-clad wood windows are by Unilux, and the sliding doors are by Arcadia.
The overall program is centered around the notion of light and shade as a “pervasive experience,” says architect Andrew Bernheimer, whose firm collaborated with Wes Deane of Highland Builders. Double-height skylights alternate along an east–west axis to take advantage of natural light patterns throughout the day. The aluminum-clad wood windows are by Unilux, and the sliding doors are by Arcadia.
“The site was beautiful as it is,” architect Eric Tremblay said, and he wanted to build a home that had the least impact on the terrain as possible. The lake can be seen on either side of the house, and natural materials—like the Eramosa limestone coating on the exterior—were a priority during construction.
“The site was beautiful as it is,” architect Eric Tremblay said, and he wanted to build a home that had the least impact on the terrain as possible. The lake can be seen on either side of the house, and natural materials—like the Eramosa limestone coating on the exterior—were a priority during construction.
Johnsen oriented the building vertically to minimize the amount of grading and landscaping necessary for construction.
Johnsen oriented the building vertically to minimize the amount of grading and landscaping necessary for construction.
On the north-facing facade, it’s easy to discern where the original glass doors used to open directly to the deck. In spring of 2012, Block Island contractor John Spier replaced the entire wall of glass panels.
On the north-facing facade, it’s easy to discern where the original glass doors used to open directly to the deck. In spring of 2012, Block Island contractor John Spier replaced the entire wall of glass panels.
A narrow building next to the main structure houses storage and an outdoor kitchen.
A narrow building next to the main structure houses storage and an outdoor kitchen.
Rachel Nolan and Steven Farrell’s weekend house is located a couple of blocks from the beach on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. Built with passive principles in mind, the low-slung structure features double-thick brick walls for thermal massing.
Rachel Nolan and Steven Farrell’s weekend house is located a couple of blocks from the beach on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. Built with passive principles in mind, the low-slung structure features double-thick brick walls for thermal massing.
The long, lean Kobayashi complex includes a bathroom and storage room in the structure on the far right.
The long, lean Kobayashi complex includes a bathroom and storage room in the structure on the far right.
Rachel Nolan and Steven Farrell’s weekend house is located a couple of blocks from the beach on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. Built with passive principles in mind, the low-slung structure features double-thick brick walls for thermal massing. The vertical wood cladding is unfinished spotted gum, a local timber.
Rachel Nolan and Steven Farrell’s weekend house is located a couple of blocks from the beach on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. Built with passive principles in mind, the low-slung structure features double-thick brick walls for thermal massing. The vertical wood cladding is unfinished spotted gum, a local timber.