This Nantucket compound by Workshop/APD Architects exists as a sequence of volumes that cascade down a sloping site while consistently maintaining primary views of Nantucket Sound. While the exterior massing appears to be a collection of independent buildings, the spaces within offer a seamless path of circulation that ties the assembly together into a common living environment. Thoughtful landscaping adds to this effect by creating a matching pathway on the exterior that sinuously weaves the massing together into a final coordinated scene.
At grade, entry to the compounds occurs by means of a new exterior bridge that spans over accessible outdoor space. The bridge uses a steel structure clad in wood framing to maintain a low profile in depth while supporting cantilevered glazed guard rails on either side.
The entry to the compound became an opportunity for the exploration of creative structural design. As required for permit, an existing traditional two-story Nantucket home that occupied the site was preserved. This building was carefully lifted and relocated onto a new foundation in its present location. Workshop/APD re-imagined this former residence as an open, double-height living room space that acts as an integral component of the entry sequence into the compound. Structurally, this required the removal of key aspects of the original building structure. To address this challenge, a series of slits were cut into the roof sheathing and new steel portal frames were inserted by crane into the existing roof and wall cavities. The portal frames create both vertical support for the roof and a new lateral load resisting system for the reimagined space.
Moving down the slope of the site through the interior spaces created the possibility for a signature staircase to become a primary element of circulation and a focus of the architectural design. This staircase was built around a single unifying vertical element constructed as a board-formed, cast-in-place concrete wall. The installation of this concrete wall took place first on site and was then protected during the construction of the building around it. All means of connection needed to be included within the wall so as not to be visible in the final condition. For the stair, this meant that each tread was cantilevered from the wall from connections that were embedded with the concrete wall reinforcing. These connections were post-tensioned to eliminate the potential for deflection, essential to the performance of the glazed interior wall.
Descending to the furthest extent of the property, one building stands apart from the assembly of masses within the landscape. This combination guest house and pool house features a retractable window wall created with a long-span, steel portal frame capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions also allowing for the unimpeded function of the retractable panels.
PROJECT TEAM
Architect: Workshop/APD, General Contractor: J. Brown Builders, Fabricator: Concentric Fabrication, Landscape Architect: Ahern LLC
