Overlooking Peconic Bay with views of Shelter Island, this waterfront home required a complete renovation and posed aesthetic challenges that we solved with technical expertise.

At the start of the project, this older home – with its cathedral ceilings, exterior columns, vinyl siding, and a small second-story housing a single bedroom – was clearly dated and in need of rejuvenation. The waterfront location, however, was exceptional; taking advantage of this special location while creating a sense of warmth for comfortable year-round living was paramount.

Our primary challenge involved finding a way to meet our client’s desire to truly maximize the home’s proximity to the Peconic River and take advantage of its expansive views of Shelter Island. In addition, we also were tasked with adding considerably more living space in the form of a fully functional second story.  To achieve this required demolition of most of the existing home, save for the foundational footprint.

Typically, adding a substantial second story would require installing load-bearing vertical support columns across the open-space first-floor living area. This open-concept living area includes a living room, formal dining area, kitchen, and breakfast nook, all without barriers. To approach this in a traditional manner, with vertical supports interspersed throughout this space, would ruin the viewing opportunities from many angles.

To solve this challenge and remain in step with the overall Craftsman-influenced modern aesthetic envisioned by Architect Tom Samuels (of the architectural firm Samuels and Steelman), NFWW installed massive horizontal I-beams across the entire width of the house.  In addition, we incorporated the steel beams into the coffered ceiling designs so that they are not visible at all. The result?  Completely unobstructed waterfront views throughout the home’s entire primary living space.