Architecture & Interiors: Studio Esteta Photography: Sean Fennessy Located in an enviable position within arm’s reach of a beach pier, the refurbishment of Coastal Beach House references the home’s coastal context and pays homage to it’s mid-century bones. “Our client’s brief sought to rejuvenate the double storey residence, whilst maintaining the existing building footprint”, explains Sarah Cosentino, director of Studio Esteta. As the orientation of the original dwelling already maximized the coastal aspect, the client engaged Studio Esteta to tailor the spatial arrangement to better accommodate their love for entertaining with minor modifications. “In response, our design seeks to be in synergy with the mid-century character that presented, emphasizing its stylistic significance to create a light-filled, serene and relaxed interior that feels wholly connected to the adjacent bay”, Sarah explains. The client’s deep appreciation of the mid-century design aesthetic also called for original details to be preserved or used as reference points in the refurbishment. Items such as the unique wall hooks were repurposed and a light, tactile palette of natural materials was adopted. The neutral backdrop allowed space for the client’s extensive collection of art and ceramics and avoided distracting from the coastal views.

Peter VonDeLinde Visuals

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Matthew Gallant

Floating steel staircase with open risers and rift oak treads. Fountain fills with a sheet of water along a dark river rock garden. Steel is powder-coated in a gun-metal finish. Michael A. Foley Photography

Ben Benschneider

Contemporary staircase with glass railing and open risers.

Консольная Лестница со ступенями из дуба и ограждениями из закаленного стекла с современной интерактивной подсветкой управляемой с телефона.

New Oak and White closed string staircase. The first section has white closed risers with tread lighting to create that floating effect but enabling our client to have storage behind it. The top section is open riser with glass sub-risers to allow the natural light to flood through to the hall way from the large window on the half landing.

Jim Haefner Photography

Open stair with steel stringer & floating wood treads.