Old Westbury Residence in New York, USA|Houses

The innovative New York-based architecture and interior design firm Mojo Stumer Associates has designed Old Westbury Residence, a private house located in Old Westbury, New York, USA.

Architect's statement: The clean lines and carefully structured geometry of this modern Long Island home make a statement of aesthetic and style, while maintaining a natural connection to the surrounding landscape. Set back from the road and sited centrally on the plot, the structure is presented against a backdrop of old growth trees. The proportions of the structure work to minimize the effect of the two-story massing, emphasizing the horizontality of the elongated main level.

image © Mojo Stumer Associates

A minimalist, yet characteristic palette furthers the connection to the site. Mahogany planks clad much of the façade, visually anchoring the home to its surroundings, while a wood trellis and screen wall lighten the composition. The projecting overhangs are clad in a crisp white metal panel, contrasting with the black window frames and stone wall cladding. Upon approach, attention is drawn to the oversized steel-clad window, its splayed and angular form contrasting to the home’s orthogonal geometry.

image © Mojo Stumer Associates

The connection between building and landscape on the interior. Full-height glass panels wrap the rear façade to provide a continuous visual relationship to the exterior, and the stone wall cladding from outside runs seamlessly interior, blurring the lines between inside and out. Living spaces are organized linearly along this glass wall, providing an ideal open concept plan. The architecture within is designed as a subtle compliment to the natural exterior. A palette of whites, grey lacquer, black metal and glass accent the otherwise simple geometry of the interior, with the white marble kitchen highlighting the space. The living and family rooms are separated only by the double-sided fireplace and media wall, and the translucent full-height wine display frames the floating stair.

image © Mojo Stumer Associates

The first-floor master suite features an attached study with a custom ‘S’ form working surface meant as a shared working space, and a serene master bath with careful connections to the exterior. The material palette of the bath combines the warmth of natural earth-like tones with the cleanliness of modern detailing. Clay-colored stone tiles clad the walls and floor, and ebonized ash wood panels wrap the vanity. In contrast, clear glass, stark white ceilings and stainless-steel detailing provide a contemporary accent. Separated from the vanity area by a frameless wall of clear glass, the shower and tub are combined into a shared enclosure with contrasting flooring materials to highlight each. The glass tub, sitting upon a flush slab of river stones, is filled by an almost indiscernible projection from the ceiling, from where a straight column of water falls to fill the vessel below. To further emphasize the connection to the exterior, a private outdoor terrace is located off the bathroom, where additional slatted walls are positioned to screen the space from view, while still providing direct access to the pool and detached cabana.

image © Mojo Stumer Associates

The home’s outdoor living space is designed to act as a direct extension of the home, providing a multi-purpose cabana with beautifully screened outdoor living space, bordering an infinity lap-pool and artful landscaping.