Located within a small seaside gated community that lies directly on an access canal of a commercial fishing harbor, the design challenge was to provide nearly every room with waterfront views on a narrow lot footprint, within the constraints of height limits dictated by local code. The Owners requested a home with lots of character, a blue metal roof, and desired maintenance-free materials due to the brutal exposure.

The design solution was a three-story, 3,500 sf home with a nautical aesthetic within an inverted floor plan. The “upside-down” arrangement offers the upper levels panoramic views of the surrounding ocean inlet, barrier island, coastal bay and the fishing harbor. The focal point of the home is the octagonal entry tower, reminiscent of Chesapeake Bay screw-pile lighthouses, displaying details such as Caribbean style porch railings and louvered island shutters. Incorporating custom details similar to those seen in coastal lifeguard stations, this home portrays east coast vernacular shingle style architecture.