COMPLETED: 2019

LOCATION: East Hampton, NY

PROGRAM: Single Family Residence

PUBLICATIONS: The Black House | House Beautiful (2019)

Set in the Springs area of East Hampton, The Black House is a bold reimagining of the Long Island weekend retreat. The residence balances the spirit of a Scandinavian boathouse with the proportions of a traditional Long Island barn. Its striking black cedar-shingled exterior gives the house its name, while the interior contrasts with expanses of light, wide-plank Douglas-fir flooring from Dinesen, natural finishes, and an open, airy plan.

To navigate strict height limitations, the second story was rotated 90 degrees, creating a distinctive cross-shaped form. This design move introduced deep overhangs that provide shade and weather protection, while also allowing every room to connect directly outdoors. Sliding glass doors, a slatted screen wall, and layered entries and exits encourage movement, light, and shadow to animate the home throughout the day.

Inside, interiors by Rebecca Robertson showcase raw, honest materials: Carrara marble in the kitchen, cement tile bathrooms, rough wood ceilings, and a dramatic floor-to-ceiling slatted screen that doubles as a sculptural stair enclosure. Furnishings and accents, largely Nordic in origin, reinforce the design’s Scandinavian minimalism while creating an atmosphere of calm, warmth, and individuality.

Situated next to the owner’s family property, the house embraces its East Hampton bayfront setting, merging indoor and outdoor living through expansive openings and shaded terraces. At once contemporary and rooted in local traditions, The Black House is a modern Hamptons residence that reinterprets vernacular forms with a client’s personal vision.