How Views of Nature Inform Architecture.
Maximizing views and creating connections to nature can be one of the most important design considerations for
any building whether its a residence, a retail space, a boutique hotel or a workplace.
Psychology professors Stephen and Rachel Kaplan at the University of Michigan pioneered research that shows how environments can have restorative
properties. And a Robert
Taylor Homes study compared people living in buildings with views of trees and people without trees
nearby. What he found was that nearby trees were a strong predictor for:
• Better relationships with neighbors
• Less aggression
• Less violent behavior
It’s evident how dramatically humans are impacted by the natural environment; nature makes us nicer and happier
people. In our experience, one of the top amenities homeowners love about their home are the views. It’s no
surprise really, considering that people need natural light as much as plants do. Natural light and connectivity
to the outdoors is a primary source for healthy living and a healthy home. Let’s look at a few of our projects
that illustrate how our designs prioritize the view.
Harbor Hideaway
Our Harbor Hideaway custom home project is an example of how to invent a view. This Sag Harbor single-family home is located in the center of a small peninsula and seemingly one of the only lots without direct water views. We were able to turn the lack of a view of the water into a design feature of the home. We flattened the roof to provide ample roof access, transforming the two-story home into a stunning lookout.
Infinity House
The overall shape of the residence was conceived by conceptually breaking the home into zones. Placing the dock, guest suites, utility, and garages in areas which won't obstruct views allows the public spaces, master wing, and family suites to sit in locations that have the best views of the neighboring intracoastal waterway. Additionally, All paths of circulation throughout the home converge in the the center of the L-shaped property, bringing both the family and their guests together in the home's shared spaces. The kitchen, sitting room, dining room, and patio space all come together alongside a stunning infinity pool and spectacular views.
Breakers Balconies
The avid surfer clients for our Breakers Balconies project desired see the waves break from the comfort of their own home. So, we designed them a modern beach house not only maximizes the prime ocean views, but also addresses the environmental concerns of the local flood zone and sustainably addresses New York's ever-changing seasons. We opened up the southern front corner of the home to maximize the stunning ocean views and extended balconies from the front of each level to keep the home from getting crushed with direct summer sun.
West Beech
While all other homes on this dense city block in Long Beach, NY are capped with a traditional gabled roof, our flat-roof design allowed us to provide the residence with a private roof deck with ocean views. The ocean can also be seen from the rear of the home's second floor which guided our decision to place the main bedroom in that location.
Living Well
The homeowner of our Living Well project has a green thumb and needed a home integrated with nature. The simplicity of this custom home’s lines and forms disappear to create a strong connection with the natural landscaping of the property. In the center of the space, we designed stairwell inside a light well to provide the stairwell with enough light to plant a large vertical garden. The rear yard of the home is to be planted with a lush green garden. To help carry that feeling of nature indoors, all of the primary shared spaces of the home are pushed to the rear, creating a colorful interaction and a stunning view of the garden.
These are just three examples of just how important is our connection to nature in our built environment.
Are you looking to build your own million dollar view? Here’s are some free resources that are a great place
to start:
• What is the Custom Home Design
Process?
• How Much will a New, Custom Home
Cost?
• How Long will a Custom Modern Home
Take?