Designed for a multi-generational family, Forest Edge is located on a wooded slope overlooking an expansive bay off Long Island Sound, with views of a protected shoreline beyond. The design goals were to develop a precisely organized and enduring home—to promote family gatherings, celebrate seasonal change, and foster a lasting connection with its rich landscape.
The building is composed with calm rationality, with the plan geometry turning at right angles , stepping down in height, with a form that gradually lightens as it moves toward the water. Massing is carefully arranged: the living spaces open outward to embrace the view and changing light, while the more enclosed bedroom and private wing shift back to form a sheltered arrival court.
The design draws subtle references from a dilapidated, abandoned mid-century house that previously stood on the site for many years, echoing the horizontal lines and extended overhangs of early American modernism. These roof planes provide generous shade and protection from the elements, while mediating transitions between interior and exterior. It aims for timelessness over novelty, clarity over complexity.
The building incorporates a number of active and passive sustainable technologies in an integrated manner. A rooftop array of photovoltaic panels supplies on-site renewable energy alongside sedum roofs, while a state-of-the-art closed loop geothermal heating and cooling system ensures year-round comfort with efficiency. An advanced insulation package, and efficient glazing further reduce the project’s energy requirements.
Materials have been chosen for their durability and natural character, assembled with care and restraint. Detailing is precise with an emphasis on craftsmanship, rhythm, texture, and longevity.
The site, which transitions from forest and meadow to coastal wetlands was restored and further developed utilizing only native, drought tolerant vegetation found in the vicinity.
Forest Edge seeks to provide a peaceful family retreat while celebrating its landscape and surroundings.