Figure 8 House

Located on a barrier island near Wilmington NC, the Figure 8 House fronts on the Atlantic Ocean, separated only by the dunes that trace the coast. Among other things, this area of North Carolina is characterized by its own special brand of regional modernism from the 1950s onward, spearheaded by architect Ligon Flynn, who designed many of the houses nearby. This project was informed by the geometric maneuvers of Flynn’s work, while seeking to adhere to strict coastal building codes. The client requested contemporary living accommodations and a steel structure, which allowed for geometric operations on an otherwise archetypal house form. These cuts and extrusions bring natural light deep into the house, create pockets of outdoor gathering, and take advantage of breezes and views. The upper volume of the exterior is clad in cedar, which will weather to integrate with its surroundings. The lower volume is a dark cementitious material which aims to distinguish the flood-equipped ‘base’ from the rest of the house. Slatted portions of siding break down the house’s mass and subtly reference the adjacent reeds and palms. A couple years after completion, we were approached by the client about adding a pool to the property. We designed the pool as an elevated concrete volume accessed from the second level of the house. In elevating the pool and designing it with a zero edge, the surface merges with the horizon and the natural environment beyond and allows the owners, while using the pool, to look out over the dunes to the ocean.