North River Basin Home

Sited near the North River which meets the ocean between Scituate and Marshfield, the home sits tactfully integrated into the surrounding heavily wooded landscape. European window systems with low frame profiles establish maximized sightlines overlooking the tidal river ecosystem. The massing of the home follows the slope of the grade, beginning as a single story containing the living spaces of the home and ‘bookending’ in the two stories containing the bedrooms.

The design intent moves visitors into the home through three bays that transition from open air to fully enclosed. A glazed, light box acts as the transition space between the garage and entry on the left. An armature that is partly filled in, it defines the outdoor space. Large sliding doors in the middle bay beckon you indoors. The final bay hosts large windows but no direct exit, making it the most private.

Upon entry, one transitions into the living room through a field of Flavin Architects’ quintessential wood screens. The living spaces are sheltered under a sloped roof flanked with clerestory windows that allow ambient northern light to spill in. Our clients challenged us to design a light-filled gathering space that could double as a home theatre. Floor standing speakers for surround sound, and a recessed shade pocket for blackout shades convert the space for an immersive experience.

Beyond the indoor/outdoor living space, locally sourced stone retaining walls seamlessly integrate the massing into the environment culminating in a flush, barrier-free transition from inside to outside, further grounding the project in the greater North River basin.