Beach House

Description

Long Beach Island is a thin island barrier along the central coast of New Jersey used primarily as a summer resort. The site is located on the northern edge of the island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with a natural curve of the beach offering distant views to the north. The parcel is located at the end of a small lane adjacent to a popular walkway across the dunes to the beach.

At the end of the street, the building extends in a civic gesture to engage the street. In doing so it creates a public drop-off bench at the entrance to the beach. The house maintains a reserved presence along the street while the building opens itself up to views along the coast.

A glass pavilion contains the primary social spaces with the main bedroom located on the upper level. Guest quarters and secondary bedrooms are congregated in a separate wing or "motel." The main living area was raised above-grade to take advantage of the views and breezes. Wooden slats provide solar protection from the morning sun.