The land purchased for one family’s summer getaway has all the makings of Utopia. Views of marshland, not-so-far off vistas of Pleasant Bay, and a private pine and scrub oak setting are the rich rewards. The challenge was to build a comfortable and appealing home that would not only fit within environmental guidelines but also enhance and protect this rare and pristine landscape.
Surrounded by wetlands on all sides, multiple septic requirements, and conservation setbacks dictated how and where a home built on the land could be placed. Despite a large lot, constraints were plentiful to the point that of the entire 4-acre parcel, a mere 10 percent was considered buildable. In addition, the views, abundance of trees, and even the wind direction all had a hand in determining the final plan of the home.
The family approached Architectural Design, Inc., a local architectural firm intimately familiar with the Cape’s environmental restrictions and codes, to create their dream getaway. The original intent was clear: not to build yet another massive, beachside trophy home. “The goal was to make the house look as small as possible,” says John Ingwersen, one of the architects who worked on the project.
