Project: Hilton Beach House
Architecture: Rocky Rochon, Hoedemaker & Pfiffer
Interior Design: Rocky Rochon
Contractor: Schuchart Dow
Landscape: Kenneth Philp Landscape Architects
Photography: Ben Benschnieder
Project Description: 9,000 sq. ft. New construction consisting of Main House, Guest House and ‘Barn’.
Programmatic Issues: Design a summer beach home to house a family of four, guests for large gatherings. It was important that the scale of the structures not overpower the scale of neighborhood homes. It was also important that the home have a farm outlook, as well as the obvious beach outlook.
Design Concept: Historically romantic beach vernacular, casual, simple, warm and open.
Design Solution: The property was divided into three structures, the main home, Guest home and ‘barn’. The Main home was broken down into three volumes, the Main Living Area, Master Suite and Children’s Suite and were linked by glass enclosed corridors to reduce the scale impact on the neighborhood. The Guest House and ‘Barn’ are both stand alone structures defining the perimeter of inland site. Great care was taken to create structures that looked as though they had been there for a hundred years. This was accomplished by using recycled materials, such as used timbers for the trusses in the Living area, recycled wood floors, wood paneling installed to have imperfection and many layers of paint, to exterior shakes that were treated with ferrous oxide to give them a pre-weathered appearance. In addition to the finishes, we integrated antique furniture pieces with new cabinetry, but consistently gave each area a different character, as though though the home was built of decades. Bathroom vanities all have a unique historical character. even the Kitchen has three different types of cabinet fronts, countertops and hardware, specific to the function at those areas. The ‘barn’ is actually storage for cars, water toys and storage, but was purposefully designed and constructed to look like a vintage barn from the island. Furnishings were selected in a very eclectic approach as well. Many items were found objects, including fabrics, and were counterpointed by custom one of a kind pieces that were designed to create comfort and ease. Because the home needed to feel warm and comfortable for a family of four and then able to accommodate a group of 20 or more people, there was great care in providing small scale sanctuaries throughout the home, such as the den, libraries, and children’s suite living area, while also having enough volume in the gathering areas of the living room and kitchen to provide for the larger groups.