Nestled between a Sagaponack potato field and the ocean’s edge, lies an original masterpiece by Norman Jaffe—a minimalist residence seamlessly integrated within the dunes. Here, rolling red fescue meadows weave a tapestry connecting flat farmlands to undulating sand dunes, concealing driveways while preserving expansive vistas of sky and land.

Project Statement

This story unfolds with the owners of the 1970s award-winning “Record House” facing the relentless encroachment of the Atlantic Ocean. To safeguard their beloved home, they opted to relocate it to a more sheltered locale—400 feet inland, amidst a flat cornfield. The challenge for the Landscape Architect was not only to harmoniously nestle the expanded structure within recreated sand dunes and meadows but also to craft a self-sustaining landscape resilient against natural elements.

Additional Narrative

Spanning a vast 600′ x 2,000′ expanse of farmland and sand dunes, this project involved relocating the existing residence to escape the erosive forces of the ocean. The new design envisioned a series of decks cascading from the original structure into the landscape, seamlessly blending architecture with nature. To recreate the lost natural environment, extensive grading and filling were undertaken, including the excavation of a pond—a dual-purpose solution providing both fill material and a habitat for aquatic life.

Embracing Nature’s Wisdom

The pond’s design draws inspiration from historical techniques, concealing its size through convoluted shapes reminiscent of famed landscapes like the Katsura detached palace in Japan. Lined with geo-textile fabric and filled with sand, it supports a diverse ecosystem of aquatic plants and native fish species. Surrounding thickets of upland vegetation provide habitat for local fauna while offering privacy to adjacent residences.

Crafting the Landscape

Careful grading and soil redistribution sculpted the terrain, recreating the dune system and meadows while ensuring the residence remained at its original elevation. Crushed gravel pathways wind through the dunes, leading to the beach and the original swimming pool, while subtle grade changes create intimate spaces and conceal driveways. The landscape’s sculptural quality is accentuated by a simple fescue meadow grass mix, showcasing the marriage of architecture and land.

The Essence of Resilience

Throughout, the landscape embodies a delicate balance between natural beauty and human intervention. From the sweeping gestures of graded earth to the disciplined refinement of entry gardens, each element contributes to a narrative of resilience and harmony—a testament to the enduring bond between architecture and the environment.