Stitch House
Located on a triangular lot in the farm town of Water Mill, NY this custom home has been designed for a family with adult children who were looking for a modernist residence in the Hamptons that would bring them all together. With both communal and private spaces, Stitch House is composed of five pavilions that share a singular main hall.
Inspired by art galleries, the home mirrors fundamentals of public architecture. Upon entry, the family and their guests are greeted by an impressive private art collection and a communal living area. Beyond the main gathering spaces, a single hall carries the family toward their private living suites and intricate outdoor courtyards.
Three separate living suites are connected by a shared spine, honoring the feel of private, individual spaces without physically detaching the pavilions from the home. The spaces are intended to feel singular, but share a main hallway. The hallway then leads the family members back to shared gathering spaces like a communal kitchen, living room, and main entryway/gallery. This design strategy gives the family the choice to dwell in either common or private areas.
The five pavilions also include individual, private exterior spaces. Intensive landscape architecture is part of the home’s core design, unifying the exterior and interior experience of the suites. Separate patios and shared courtyards for each suite invite family members to enjoy their own concentration of the beautiful Hamptons property. The position of each pavilion is intentional – the angle of each structure grants views of the site without encroaching on the privacy of other family members.
The home’s gathering spaces and bedrooms all open up to nature facing the rear of the property. This allows the rooms that are most often occupied to be bathed in ambient light and lush views while storage, bathrooms and utilities are placed along the hallway on the closed-off side of the home.
The design of each pavilion includes an exterior patio, arranged to create indoor and outdoor zones of privacy for each family member. Between the pavilions, shared courtyards overlook wildflower gardens and elaborate landscape architecture — the space between each pavilion is as fundamental to the design as the pavilions themselves.
Our design concepts become evident from the moment you approach the entry. Upon arrival, the path from the driveway seamlessly guides your gaze right through the home, offering a glimpse of the lush haven that lies beyond. As you pass the poured-concrete privacy wall, a transformative experience is revealed within the foyer. This space, serving as more than just an entry, functions as an art gallery to showcase the family's remarkable collection of modern art. The skylight above plays with natural light, cleverly illuminating without casting direct light onto any canvases or art pieces. Every detail is meticulously considered.
An elongated hallway "spine" serves as a connective thread – skillfully weaving together five distinct living pavilions alongside a central gathering space. This configuration creates an interconnected yet private layout, redefining the concept of shared living.
A timeless neutral palette envelopes the interiors, exuding an air of serenity and sophistication. Continuous floor tiles guide you seamlessly from one space to another, unifying the home's design language. The sharp, clean lines of the architecture find their echo in the interiors. As you move through the home's tall interior spaces, you'll experience a sense of openness and grandeur that constantly invites you to gaze upon the property's wildflowers and natural gardens.
