Scheme
Floor Plans
Installation Process
About Palette Architecture
| Project | Shift | House |
| Architects | Palette Architecture |
| Manufacturer | Simplex Homes |
| Contractor | Cedar Knolls Homes |
| MEP Engineer | RAAD |
| Area | 1,600 SF |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Modules | 3 modules, 5 panels |
| Installation Time | 1 day (+days of finishing) |
| Location | East Hampton, Long Island, New York |
| Year | 2023 |
| Photography | Jody Kivort |
Description by architects
Shift | House is a 1,600 SF, new house for a family of four. It is constructed of prefabricated, modular components that were factory fabricated and connected on site. The design takes advantage of prefabrication’s economies in budget and schedule, without compromising on the overall design intent. These tools are deployed in a house enriched by its natural surroundings, and supportive of the family’s activities.
In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, there was a desire amongst many New Yorkers to supplement their homes in the city with ones more connected to nature. A prior client asked us to design a second home away from their Brooklyn townhouse. They quickly settled on a tree lined subdivision in East Hampton, in relative visual seclusion from its neighbors. The house was to be modest in scale and budget, with an urgency to occupy it quickly.
Concurrent with the start of this project, we were navigating contractor shortages and long wait times on a number of our projects. We suggested prefabrication to achieve lower construction costs, an expedited schedule, and improved budget and schedule certainty. We embarked on a design process that worked within prefabrication’s limits, while pressing the fabricator to expand their offerings to meet our design goals.
Moderating Modular
The house is comprised of three modules, and five panels. The modules form each of two bedroom wings, and the central kitchen, living, and dining rooms. The five panels were used to supplement the height of the living module. Once fabricated, the house was assembled on site within a day, including MEP systems. Floor finishes, exterior cladding, and selective millwork were installed on site afterwards. Our initial steps focused on overcoming the traditional shortcomings of modular construction. Transportation constraints typically provide smaller than ideal room dimensions, requiring overlapping modules at critical areas. Similarly, traditional module heights preclude grand spaces, which we overcame using prefabricated panels to extend the living module’s height. Dozens of configurations were developed and evaluated to balance quality of space against constructability. Ultimately, we arrived on a scheme with two bedroom wings that connected to a central, high ceilinged living space.
Inviting Nature Inside
The L-shaped house anchors one edge of a grassy lawn in the back of the property. The other edges are defined by a minimalist swimming pool and rows of trees. An elevated deck forms a transition from the interior. The lush landscaping of the rear contrasts against the front’s gravel and drought resistant plantings, which offers a more sparse appearance to passersby. This enclosed lawn is private and relatively secluded, encapsulating the home’s role as an escape to nature for the family. The interior of the house is designed to draw in views of the landscaped courtyard. Large windows occupy two walls of the living space, overlooking the rear. Bedrooms and bathrooms also look onto courtyard, which forms the backdrop to these rooms.
Connecting Character
Millwork elements were used as a means of creating unique character to the spaces, as well as allowing the modules to connect more seamlessly. Cabinetry was designed using material finishes with strong natural character, lending a unique identities to various spaces in the house.
Scheme
Floor Plans
Installation Process
About Architect - Palette Architecture
Palette is an architecture and design practice, based in New York City and Los Angeles. Our work includes education, multifamily, and custom residential projects. The work ranges in scale from new buildings and facade recladdings to facility modernizations and interior fitouts. Palette Architecture has completed over 80 projects, from design through completion since our inception in 2010.
From our start, we have evaluated our success by the quality of completed project. We judge this in the way in which the finished work meets its intended needs, its longevity, and its ability to empower users. Our designs employ light, space, and materiality in a contemporary language centered on organizational clarity, purity of expression, and sensory experience.
Partners
Palette’s three founding partners met in our first architecture studio at Columbia University. After working for several years at internationally renowned architecture offices in New York City, we formed Palette Architecture in 2010. What ties us together is a shared belief that exceptional design is the product of focused problem solving.
Our diverse backgrounds have contributed to an ability to view our projects through multiple lenses—an attitude that we carry forward as our office grows. This dynamic allows us to find creative and uncommon solutions to problems faced by our current clients; including limited budgets, space constraints, and difficult existing conditions.
| New York Office | |
|---|---|
| Address 1 | 15 Maiden Lane, Suite 803, New York, NY 10038, United States |
| Address 2 | 57 W 16th St 4th floor, New York, NY 10011, United States |
| Phone | +1 347-762-6165 |
| Email 1 | projects@palettearch.com |
| Email 2 | info@palettearch.com |
| Website | https://palettearch.com/ |
| https://www.instagram.com/palette_arch | |
| Los Angeles Office | |
| Address | 2258 Hidalgo Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039, United States |
| Phone | +1 347-921-2123 |
Shift | House - 1,600 SF 2 Bedrooms Modular House by Palette Architecture, East Hampton, Long Island, New York