Orient House V

The owners purchased 15 acres of tidal wetlands and former potato fields with the intention of building a house that would respond to and directly connect to its surrounding landscape. Even though most of the land was untouched by construction, the entire property was restored to a natural state by removing non-native invasives and adding indigenous plants. Because of the ever-increasing severity of storm surges, the owners agreed to raise the main living floor ten feet above the natural grade which consequently allows for wide, unobstructed views over the protected wetlands of Peconic Bay. The guest rooms, half a flight below, open out to the meadow which has been gently raised to protect these rooms from floodwaters.
The design incorporated European low-energy design details and materials which allow all building systems to be electrically powered and offset by a solar panel array.

Ryall Sheridan Architects uploaded Orient House V through Add A Home.

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Modern home with Exterior, Flat RoofLine, House Building Type, Butterfly RoofLine, Concrete Siding Material, Wood Siding Material, Metal Siding Material, and Glass Siding Material. A 100-mile drive from the Big Apple, the 15-acre property in Orient, New York, serves as a vacation retreat and refuge for a Brooklyn couple. Photo of Orient House V

A 100-mile drive from the Big Apple, the 15-acre property in Orient, New York, serves as a vacation retreat and refuge for a Brooklyn couple.

Modern home with Kitchen, Light Hardwood Floor, Granite Counter, Undermount Sink, and Pendant Lighting. Gray cabinets are paired with granite countertops and a white marble island from Vermont. Photo 3 of Orient House V

Gray cabinets are paired with granite countertops and a white marble island from Vermont.

Modern home with Office, Chair, and Light Hardwood Floor. A cantilevered birch and plywood desk appears to effortlessly float in midair. The wood box is attached to the wall with a blackened structural steel angle. “It’s a place to make a phone call, put down keys, plug in the iPhones,” says Ryall. “We liked the contrast of the structural steel and the more refined wood box, kind of the like the house, which itself is full of contrasts—rough/smooth, dark/light, open/closed.” Photo 4 of Orient House V

A cantilevered birch and plywood desk appears to effortlessly float in midair. The wood box is attached to the wall with a blackened structural steel angle. “It’s a place to make a phone call, put down keys, plug in the iPhones,” says Ryall. “We liked the contrast of the structural steel and the more refined wood box, kind of the like the house, which itself is full of contrasts—rough/smooth, dark/light, open/closed.”

Modern home with Exterior, House Building Type, Glass Siding Material, Shed RoofLine, Flat RoofLine, and Wood Siding Material. Ryall deftly integrated the home into its natural setting. Photo 6 of Orient House V

Ryall deftly integrated the home into its natural setting.

The home features expansive wetland views.

Modern home with Outdoor, Large Pools, Tubs, Shower, Salt Water Pools, Tubs, Shower, and Swimming Pools, Tubs, Shower. Tall indigenous wetland grasses grow fecund, right up to the border of the saltwater swimming pool. Photo 8 of Orient House V

Tall indigenous wetland grasses grow fecund, right up to the border of the saltwater swimming pool.

Modern home with Outdoor, Large Pools, Tubs, Shower, Swimming Pools, Tubs, Shower, Back Yard, Small Patio, Porch, Deck, Grass, and Salt Water Pools, Tubs, Shower. The saltwater pool provides relief on hot summer days, and a neighboring mahogany deck is the perfect perch for lolling in the sun. Photo 10 of Orient House V

The saltwater pool provides relief on hot summer days, and a neighboring mahogany deck is the perfect perch for lolling in the sun.

Modern home with Chair and Light Hardwood Floor. In the living room, the design team poured concrete in place using smooth board formwork to create the seamless fireplace. Photo 11 of Orient House V

In the living room, the design team poured concrete in place using smooth board formwork to create the seamless fireplace.

Modern home with Light Hardwood Floor and Chair. “The fireplace extends the season,” says Ryall. “The owners probably use that porch six months out of the year.” The design team formed the fireplace’s concrete facade using rough wood boards to give it a rugged texture. Photo 12 of Orient House V

“The fireplace extends the season,” says Ryall. “The owners probably use that porch six months out of the year.” The design team formed the fireplace’s concrete facade using rough wood boards to give it a rugged texture.

Modern home with Exterior, Flat RoofLine, House Building Type, Shed RoofLine, and Wood Siding Material. Concrete walls support the living space and elevate it from storm surges. Photo 13 of Orient House V

Concrete walls support the living space and elevate it from storm surges.

Modern home with Exterior, Wood Siding Material, Flat RoofLine, and House Building Type. To bring the property back to its natural glory, landscape architect Lillian Ball removed invasive plantings and replaced them with indigenous landscaping. Photo 14 of Orient House V

To bring the property back to its natural glory, landscape architect Lillian Ball removed invasive plantings and replaced them with indigenous landscaping.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing fills the entryway with light.

Modern home with Exterior, House Building Type, Flat RoofLine, and Wood Siding Material. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open to the great outdoors, and industrial-grade metal screens keep bugs from entering and provide protection for those standing up against windows. Photo 20 of Orient House V

Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open to the great outdoors, and industrial-grade metal screens keep bugs from entering and provide protection for those standing up against windows.