Design can reveal so much about the relationship between land and its inhabitants — including how one lives, both in the natural environmental landscape and within the actual structure of the home. This stunning 7,000-square-foot, cedar-shingled, gabled home, situated on a prominent point of Nantucket near the Brant Point Lighthouse, is the perfect example of this.
What once stood on this property was a dilapidated international-style house, which left the client with an incredible opportunity: an empty parcel of land in a desirable area with unparalleled views of the ocean. But with it came design and construction challenges, too. Because this is a FEMA flood zone, any habitable spaces needed to be planned and built five feet upward. The property’s iconic prominence is a benefit for taking in views and being viewed — but in turn, it lacks privacy, and the clients were looking for something of an inner sanctuary. From the water side, ferries have a clear view of the home, shining like the green light Jay Gatsby gazed upon across the water, while the other side is open to a popular pedestrian path that leads to the Brant Point Lighthouse.
Photography by Matt Kisiday
Enter Workshop/APD, an architecture and design firm focused on matching architectural vernacular and materiality to a landscape or place. This approach is likely the reason they were selected to join the ELLE Decor A-List in 2023. “For more than 25 years, we’ve been one of the go-to firms for contemporary homes on Nantucket,” says Associate Principal Zachary Helmers.
First up were the walk-throughs of the property, cataloging the former home and registering documents with the local Historic District Commission. Then, onto the dream stage: Imagining what the new, ground-up home could become, while taking stock of the not-insignificant challenge of building five feet up without needing a ladder to get in the front door. “It can be kind of imposing when you’re walking up and in,” says Helmers. They worked with landscape designer and frequent collaborator Miroslava Ahern to develop a series of landscaped plinths, creating a smooth approach to the new, elevated house — rather than climbing a platform, you reach the home through an integrated landscape.
Ensuring that the structure was nestled within the site was not just a goal but a rule. The team worked with the Historic District Commission, which reviewed and approved architectural designs, keeping an eye on the historic nature of the area and its natural surroundings. “We wanted to create something contemporary and clean, and lucky for us, Nantucket style is easy to work with on that,” says Helmers. That resulted in a gabled home clad in cedar shingles with gray windows — a look that embodies both the historic spirit of the island and modern life. Features such as a sunken backyard for privacy, a 725-square-foot guesthouse, a 624-square-foot wellness studio (with a golf simulator), an office, a game room and more create an all-in-one modern oceanside headquarters.
The client already had experience building a home from scratch and has knowledgeable, enviable taste, but, Helmers says, “They brought us in for our specific local experience. We understand the experience of summer living and try to support that through design. When you come in from the beach, an outdoor shower or mudroom becomes very important.”
“It’s a very specific style,” says Workshop/APD Principal Interior Designer Nicole Ficano. “The exterior has to remain relatively traditional, but once you get inside, you get to be more modern. We like to ground ourselves in place and elevate that traditional Nantucket feeling.”
Together, the teams began devising the layout — massing and arranging the garage and guesthouse to provide a grand scale without feeling unmoored and balancing the interests of water views with a sense of privacy.
“A lot of space planning revolves around indoor/outdoor living,” Ficano says. In this case, the rare opportunity to get this close to the water meant including as much glass as possible, such as sliding doors to allow for straight-through views. “A lot of the focus was on orienting furniture toward the harbor view,” Ficano says.
To take advantage of these views, the team designed an entrance that seamlessly moves into a double-height living room and confronts the harbor immediately. By arranging the other living quarters to pinwheel off of the grand living space, the team was able to maximize water views and create a casually sophisticated interior for the family.
“The goal was to create an environment that was functional for hosting family and friends. In the center living room there are two seating groups — one is more casual and focuses toward the harbor, and the other is more refined for materiality,” says Ficano. Two sets of stairs bookend the main living room and are offset by modern slat-screen walls. One set leads to the primary suite, and the other to the secondary bedrooms on the opposite side. Additionally, revolving around the main living space is a screened porch on one side and the kitchen on the other. And a breakfast banquette allows the homeowners to enjoy quiet oceanside coffees in the morning.
“We focused on shapes, material and furniture that would feel true to the island — a beachy feeling beyond blue and white,” Ficano says. Natural woods, light upholstery and a good mix of texture lend a natural sophistication that lives in harmony with the outdoors. Colors found within the interior were intentionally injected in small amounts, matching the gardens designed by Ahern, creating an open cohesiveness as well.
“The homeowners wanted this to be a place where they could come in from a busy day, take a deep breath and have a sense of peacefulness, and that is reflected in the environment of the home, even down to the office space,” Ficano says. “It’s grounded and light and airy, and you feel a real sense of home. There’s a lot of thought and intention in how they live in this space.”
Architect: Workshop/APD
Interior Designer: Workshop/APD
Builder: Cottage + Castle
Landscape Designer: Miroslava Ahern
Structural Consultant: Craft Engineering Studio
