The landscape design for Six Square House ties three structures of different geometry and function together through unified textures and geometries. The 1.4 acre lot in Bridgehampton New York, makes space for a 1850 farmhouse, the recently-completed “Six Square House,” and the pool house. Sited at the center of the lot, the dynamic composition of the Six Square House offers a unique response to the existing trees on site while bringing in a playfulness and dramatic contrast to the historic farmhouse.
Three distinct landscapes stitch the property into an intuitive tapestry—shifting the axis of focus along a consistent ground plane. A hedge-lined drive delivers you to the site’s center. Here, a meadow creates a sense of wilderness. A turfgrass axis is the entertainment core, establishing connection between all three structures. The use of local plantings and materials speak to the ecological and cultural contexts of the Hamptons. The end result is a landscape and habitat for play, entertainment, and exploration.
Long, secluded entry
We restored a 150’ long privet-lined entry drive, with its focal point on an existing mature tree. It takes people to the center of the site fronted by the meadow threshold. People then turn to the gravel-filled auto court dotted with existing trees south of the farmhouse. A bluestone-paved threshold leads people to the front door of the farmhouse.
Establishing Meadow Threshold between Farmhouse and the Middle House
A meadow threshold lays between the front house and the middle house. It separates the middle house from the entry and the auto court, creating a sense of calm as soon as you arrive on the property. It also grounds the middle house, which appears to emerge from nature and wildness. A small path leads people from the auto court to the entry courtyard of the middle house, shifting the mind from the entry experience to a feeling of being immersed in nature. An existing black oak tree was surrounded and presented by the meadow, accentuating its sculptural look.
Creating a Long Vista between Farmhouse and Pool House
A long vista between the farmhouse and the pool house is a focal point for active entertaining. It also creates a long vista across much of the property to illustrate how the site topography is navigated with a gentle slope. Likewise, this open site line provides a critical safety function, as the owner can maintain unobstructed views of their children at play in the pool.
Use regionally sourced materials in a unique way
In the Hamptons, bluestone is regionally sourced and economical to use. As such, it is a very common material. We wanted to incorporate this contextually-appropriate material into this project. However, we wanted our paving design to stand out with memorable patterns and combinations.
The 42” main path was designed with linear-cut natural cleft bluestone with warmer tones. The threshold paving at-grade at the entrance of each building uses a large-format natural cleft. This contrasts with the raised patio space, which is paved with thermal-finish bluestone that is more refined in texture and color. Lastly, the tire tracks leading to the Middle House garage are paved with bluestone cobbles.
Planting and Garden space respond to local ecology and habitat
The Hamptons are a place of diverse natural resources and long-established garden traditions. The planting design balanced the desire for naturalized plantings as well as the more curated garden species. The two types of planting also respond to two distinct types of program spaces: active entertainment and recreation and peaceful meditation. The stark dichotomy between the meadow and the manicured lawn encourages you to transition from one physical space to another, and from one mental state to another.
The meadow is seeded with native meadow mix to create an ever-changing threshold for the Middle House. Grass with spring and early summer bulbs along the north border recall the dune grass along the Hamptons’ beaches. The meadow and grass frames the lawn with long vistas between the Front House and Pool House. The southwest corner of the property is covered with mature trees, so mixed fern plugs were planted to restore the forest floor.
Formal plantings separate the auto court from the Front House, and encloses the Pool House. The private garden next to the Middle House bedroom has layers of ferns interplanted with astilbes. A hawthorn tree creates a focal point from the master bathroom. Six Gingko trees were planted along the lawn to create sporadic shade and form park-like gathering spaces.
Architecture offices involved in the design: Young Projects
Location: Bridgehampton, New York, United States
Design year: 2019
Year Completed: 2020
