NYC Pre-war Expert

Light-view-space filled apartments with more useable (enjoyable!) space.

Fire Island Bungalow

seaview, NY

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

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

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.

Stairs leading up to the blue door of the bungalow with a young tree and a blue sky.
The Entry also leads to a wraparound porch.
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.

The entry and stair area has a high raftered ceiling, a globe light, and windows.
Light fills the home.
A view from the upstairs, with the wooden rafters just above, looking diagonally down towards the kitchen.
Our Client has more space to enjoy.
The full height view of the long perspective through the open plan that connects the Living Room, Dining Room, and Kitchen; wood rafters above, and wall-to-wall double-hung windows stretching to the back of the house.
The open rafters create delight.
The ceiling is the rafters high above; the kitchen has grey manufactured stone countertops, glossy white flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a grey floor that runs through the house.
A ribbon of windows wrap the house.
View down to the entry from upstairs featuring a big globe light and a blue front door flanked by windows.
The entry viewed from above
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.

A view from the upstairs landing toward the living room sofa nestles in a corner wrapped with windows.
Excellent for naptime
Outside the Main Bedroom, a desk with a computer sits under a window in a nook on the landing.
Every inch of space is used wisely.
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.

photos: Eduard Hueber © Archphoto.com

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