East Lake House Designed To Weather Over Time

The East Lake House is located in Montauk, a village at the eastern tip of New York’s Long Island, and features weekend coastal vibes with its rough-sawn cedar planks that were left untreated for natural aging. Take a look at that!

Rather than building an oversized house in the middle of the property, the team created two dwellings that are situated on the edge. One serves as the main home, and the other encompasses guest quarters and a garage/boathouse. Such an approach leaves space in the center of the property, creating an unobtrusive scale and an overall feel.

The residence was oriented in a way that maximizes views and captures breezes. The front elevations, which face a road, are relatively opaque, while the rear facades have large expanses of glass, offering generous views of the water. The team selected materials with an eye toward how they will weather over time. Exterior walls are wrapped in untreated, rough-sawn cedar planks that will take on the silvery hue of driftwood. The gabled roofs, sheathed in raw zinc, will develop a mottled patina. Even the hardware is meant to show its age.

Inside, light-toned finishes are paired with dark elements in order to create an atmosphere that feels serene and active. The home’s steel structural frame was left visible, as were ceiling beams, which were painted white. Rooms are fitted with white oak flooring and contemporary decor, along with special accents such as handmade Moroccan tiles.

Outside, the central portion of the property has a swimming pool and cabana, which are surrounded by grass. On the narrow strip of land between the main home and the water, the team added indigenous plants rather than a lawn.