Springy Banks

Springy Banks, a former 1960s summer camp, was transformed into a 13-acre residence that honors its history while restoring its formerly degraded landscape. Once dominated by asphalt roads and mowed lawns, the site suffered from polluted runoff draining into the bay. The Landscape Architect led an extensive ecological restoration, removing impervious roadways and contaminated sediment, and implementing natural drainage swales and rain gardens to improve water quality. More than 50,000 native perennials were planted to reestablish the oak forest and promote biodiversity, while invasive species were removed. Springy Banks blends ecological stewardship with historical reverence, transforming a once-damaged landscape into a thriving sanctuary.

What makes Springy Banks truly remarkable is its story of reclamation—not just of land, but of identity and ecological purpose. The property had been overwhelmed by impervious surfaces, its natural systems choked by a network of asphalt roads and compacted soils. Runoff from these surfaces carried pollutants directly into Gardiners Bay, degrading water quality and damaging the fragile coastal ecosystem. The first transformative act was the removal of over a mile of these roads, along with contaminated sediment, allowing the land to breathe again. With the introduction of natural drainage swales and carefully designed rain gardens, the watershed was redirected and filtered, significantly improving the health of the bay.

But restoration extended beyond hydrology. The land, in its prior iteration as a summer camp, was dominated by expansive, mowed lawns; now reimagined with ecological diversity in mind. More than 50,000 native perennials were planted, reestablishing the forest’s understory with species like Pennsylvania sedge, Little blue stem and, Switchgrass. Native shrubs—Winterberry, Bayberry, and Viburnum—created layered habitats, while the removal of invasive species, particularly dense thickets of honeysuckle, made room for native flora to thrive. The oak forest, once struggling from neglect, was revitalized, reinforcing the property’s connection to its natural heritage.

Amidst this ecological revival, there was a deep respect for the site’s history. The designers preserved the original tennis court and historic well house, tangible links to the camp’s past. New additions, like cedar log fencing and a vegetable garden, echo the communal spirit that once defined the camp. The architectural placement of the new residence also reflects this ethos—set back from the bluff’s edge and seamlessly integrated into the existing topography, it embraces panoramic bay views while maintaining harmony with the restored landscape.

Springy Banks embodies the transformative power of design to restore and renew—where ecological restoration and respect for history converge, turning a once-degraded landscape into a vibrant, resilient ecosystem.

• Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects - Architect
• Brad Ford ID - Interior Designer
• Men at Work Construction - General Contractor
• Landscaping by Renner - Landscape Contractor
• Flawless Pools - Pool Contractor
• Hampton Tennis Company - Tennis Contractor