House on the Bluff

This renovated, modern beach house sits high on the Montauk bluffs with exceptional panoramic ocean views and privacy. Bordered by a nature preserve; this narrow, topographically challenging site presented many initial constraints that became the impetus for the design.

Sensitive interventions such as elevated walkways and the use of native vegetation, provide amenities to the site while preserving the bluff. The use of plants native to the Montauk bluffs, stitch the site into the larger ecological context of the East End.

In confronting future and current bluff destabilization, which plagues Montauk, this project exemplifies low impact development and bluff stabilization techniques.

From arrival, the boardwalk leads you through a solid wooden gate, revealing a lush landscape dotted with native Shadblow trees. Limiting the impact on the land was paramount for this project.

A green roof, overtop the garage and entry way, helps disguise and integrate the architecture into the landscape. The green roof plantings utilize native grasses including, Little Bluestem and Pennsylvania sedge. These self-sustaining plants, native to the Montauk Bluffs, are in keeping with the projects goal of reducing maintenance and upkeep.

The boardwalks were designed with natural, untreated wood left to weather, echoing the silver hues of the adjacent salty, windblown landscape. Circulation of the property is limited to these elevated walks, preserving the sensitive bluff from disruption. The deck board spacing allows water infiltration and vegetation to grow underneath further promoting slope and soil stabilization.

The house renovation included a facade of glass overlooking the swimming pool, which was designed with sculptural intent to reflect its lush native surroundings. A planting palette of Shad trees, Bayberry, Winter Berry, Inkberry, and massing’s of Switch Grass, Little Bluestem and Dwarf Fountain Grasses were used to enhance and stabilize the bluff. These all work together to additionally provide not only a pleasing aesthetic, but also offers habitat and forage for the migrating bird population.

The native landscape pulls you through the property to an elevated deck that hovers over the bluff, capitalizing on the breathtaking view over the Atlantic Ocean.

• Christopher LaGuardia, FASLA - Principal Landscape Architect
• Robert Young Architecture & Interiors - Architect
• Men at Work Construction - General Contractor
• James C Grimes Land Design - Landscape Contractor
• J&P Pools - Pool Contractor