Sagaponack Spa
In the early 2000s, a modernist community known as The Houses of Sagaponack was conceived by developer Harry “Coco” Brown and architect Richard Meier on the East End of Long Island, in which the two coordinated to build a residential development of 32 original homes by 32 iconic architects. Sadly, only eight of the originally planned homes were ever built. The Sagaponack Spa is a minimal bathroom renovation inside one of these architecturally significant homes.
The existing bathroom featured a toilet in a glass cube in the center of the room, which made privacy impossible and storage non-existent. The new bathroom is skinned entirely in textured plaster with ample storage in floating vanities, and a hallway of built-in cabinetry. A wet-room with a free-standing shower and deep-soaking tub invite relaxation while the toilet area is now enclosed in complete privacy.
One large window naturally lights the space and brings private views of nature into the shower and bathing areas. The bathroom’s recycled backsplash is made of Savoy tiles in a chalk, matte-white to mimic the light color palette that is constantly repeated throughout the space.
There is no formal trim or molding details. Instead, the plaster walls and floors are fully integrated and interconnected. To minimize distractions in an already minimal design, the wet-room’s built-in plaster shelving paired with muted colors and rock-like textures allowed the quiet colors of the bathroom to create calmness in a graceful space.
The Sagaponack Spa is a renovated space that, transformed, meets the aesthetic beauty of the home’s exterior and the modernist movement of the Houses of Sagaponack Project. While the original home design takes risks befitting a groundbreaking community plan, the bathroom suite was not functionally appropriate for the homeowner’s lifestyle. The new design honors the neighborhood’s legacy while creating a space that adds quiet tranquility to their daily lives.
