Three Mile Harbor: A Modern Home Inspired by Boat Design


When designing a new home along a scenic waterfront, architects face the challenge of creating both privacy and optimal views. This is particularly true in neighborhoods where narrow, elongated plots are tightly packed along the shore. A recent project in East Hampton, New York, the Three Mile Harbor residence by Bates Masi + Architects, exemplifies a creative response to these constraints, transforming them into opportunities for innovation.

A modern building exterior at dusk, featuring sleek lines and vertical wooden slats, with warm interior lighting visible through large windows. Trees are seen in the background.

In a setting characterized by lots that are much deeper than they are wide, and buildings tightly aligned along a single setback line, there is little room for architectural flexibility. Moreover, zoning laws restrict each structure’s height based on its distance from the property line, further compressing the possible building envelope. In this context, a builder and mariner envisioned a home that would reflect the efficient design of the boat he once lived on, while also tackling the unique challenges of the site.

Modern two-story house with large glass windows, surrounded by greenery. A patio with outdoor seating is visible in the foreground.

The solution devised by the architects revolves around a series of privacy walls, carefully configured to maintain seclusion while maximizing exposure to the harbor views. These walls are angled and gradually increase in height as they extend towards the water, conforming to both the height regulations and the natural slope of the land. This strategic arrangement allows the home to fully engage with the waterfront, while effectively shielding it from neighboring properties.

A modern, minimalist living room with light wood flooring, white sofas, a wooden slat wall divider, and large windows overlooking an outdoor landscape.

A modern spiral staircase with wooden steps and white railings leads to an upper floor, illuminated by natural light from a large window above.

Inside, the layout emphasizes compactness and efficiency, with each room arranged in a logical sequence to make the most of the available space. Bedrooms positioned towards the rear of the home are designed with private courtyards, offering access to natural light, fresh air, and serene views of the sky and tree canopies. These courtyards also serve as extensions of the interior space, complete with outdoor showers and seating areas, creating a sense of calm and connection to the outdoors. At the heart of the home, a central spiral staircase runs through all three levels, drawing light into the core and illuminating spaces without compromising privacy.

A wooden spiral staircase with natural light streaming in from a nearby window, illuminating the steps and surrounding area.

A well-lit modern living room with a beige sofa, round mirror, black coffee table, and large windows covered by vertical blinds casting shadows. A small plant and books are on the table.

A modern kitchen with light wood cabinets, a long counter, built-in oven, and dining table with green chairs. Vertical wooden slats separate the space.

A kitchen with wooden cabinetry, a glass vase with flowers, a stack of plates on the counter, and two wall-mounted light fixtures.

A wooden guitar rests on a stand in a sunlit room with wooden floors and slatted windows, casting striped shadows on the floor.

A minimalist bedroom with a large window overlooking a lake. The room features a bed, a rug, and a wooden chair.

Modern bathroom with a wooden double-sink vanity, two mirrors, a central vase with yellow flowers, and neatly folded towels on the lower shelves.

A modern, minimalist house with wooden exterior walls and a stone pathway leading to the entrance, surrounded by tall grass and trees, under a clear blue sky.

The distinctive copper cladding of the privacy walls adds both functionality and a unique aesthetic. Designed to look like oars, the copper pipes are set in a pattern that modulates the flow of light and air, while also adding a dynamic visual element that will evolve with time. The material will gradually develop a patina, blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings and supporting the growth of nearby vegetation. This use of copper not only enhances the architectural design but also contributes to the landscape, as the mineral deposits nourish the soil, encouraging lush greenery.

A modern, two-story house with large glass windows and a wooden exterior stands amidst a garden with a stone pathway leading up to it. The sky is clear and blue.

Close-up of a modern building facade featuring vertical wooden slats on the upper section and horizontal concrete blocks on the lower section, with trees visible in the background.

Close-up view of a building with red vertical panels and a clear blue sky background, overlooking a body of water with sailboats and trees.

To view more projects from Bates Masi + Architect, click here, and for more information on the firm, head to batesmasi.com.

Photography courtesy of Bates Masi + Architects.



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