Fire Island Bungalow - AKA Insight

THE STORY

THE CHALLENGE: Modernize a dark, cramped three-bedroom, one bathroom bungalow within the existing footprint.

And create a light-filled vacation retreat for a family that loves to cook and entertain.

THE CLIENT: An experienced and cost-sensitive real estate developer Professional wanted a home that would welcome four adult children, and lot of friends.

THE TRANSFORMATION: We added a ribbon of windows to bring the outside in and created a prime bedroom suite in part of the attic and opened up the rest. The new open plan optimizes indoor-outdoor entertaining with the option for a very expandable dining area to fit 24. Guests can choose between 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

GOLD WINNER Houzee Awards 2024: Space Transformation – Architecture Category.

WINNER BLT Design Awards 2023: Interior Design / Residential Category; Honorable Mention: Country Category.

A wood-shingled bungalow with a small window sits on the ground on a sandy street is viewed from the southeast corner.

Transformed wood-shingled bungalow with wall to wall-to-wall windows raised above flood level seen from its southeast corner.

BEFORE An unrenovated 1920’s bungalow.

AFTER We raised the bungalow above the flood-plane and added wall-to-wall windows and a wraparound porch.

Front view of the wood-shingled house sitting on the ground on a sandy street

Front view of the wood-shingled house raised above flood level with young trees and a blue door

BEFORE The old house had a certain charm.

AFTER Now the house looks like vacation!

Living Room Before: is a small room with a low ceiling, a wood-burning fireplace, and daylight from one window

Living Room After: A long perspective through an open-plan connecting the living room with the dining room and the kitchen; the dark wood rafters uncovered above balance the bright light from wall-to-wall double-hung windows stretching to the back of the house

BEFORE There were too few windows in the bungalow.

AFTER We studied and optimized the layout, we moved the entertaining spaces to the South-side next to the garden. We added a wall of windows, brought in more light, we created more views.

Kitchen Before: A room with limited counter space, limited storage, and a small window; it is isolated from the rest of the house

Kitchen After: A open plan 20’ long galley Kitchen connects with the Dining and Living areas. The dark wood rafters uncovered above balance the bright light from wall-to-wall double-hung windows stretching to the front of the house

BEFORE The Kitchen was old and located on the dark side of the house.

AFTER We moved the Kitchen to the South-side, next to the garden, the Kitchen is filled with light and fits a party of chefs.

Main Bedroom Before: Fits a queen-size bed, it's a small room and two windows

Main Bedroom After Fits a king-size bed, four windows, and an en suite bathroom

BEFORE The Main Bedroom was on the south side of the bungalow.

AFTER We moved all of the bedrooms to the North-side, and we added a private Bathroom for the Main Bedroom.