East Hampton Residence
Long Island, New York

This weekend house, owned by a long-standing client of the firm, is on the Great South Bay of Long Island, with approximately 200-feet of shoreline. The clients wanted to replace a pool and patio that had been built towards the front of the property, away from the shoreline and the house. Gabellini Sheppard responded by creating a new 4,000-square-foot limestone terrace that surrounds the house, conceptuallly raising it on a plinth. The new pool is seamlessly carved into the plinth with full-width steps providing a gracious entry into the pool. The plinth visually and functionally unites the house and pool and takes full advantage of the spectacular views. The adjacent kitchen fully opens onto the terrace with two sides surrounded by French doors.

The limestone terrace and pool steps are from an Eastern European quarry selected by Gabellini Sheppard for its unique combination of high weather resistance, uniform color and low cost. This stone was also used for the custom 19-foot-long barbecue placed at the eastern end of the terrace which cantilevers from the plinth and is a sculptural accent juxtaposed against the continuous row of evergreens beyond. The furniture and umbrellas were selected by Gabellini Sheppard to complement the scale of the terrace and barbecue.

At night, the drama of reflected light from the pool is enhanced by a custom-designed fiber optic lighting system along the pool's perimeter and under the steps. Additional outdoor lighting is provided by fixtures recessed in the paving and in front of surrounding trees.