Fluid Movement between Indoors and Outdoors in the Watermill Houses in NY
Completely integrated in a natural forest retreat in Watermill, N Y, the Watermill Houses is the project of the 1100 Architects. It is an intriguing project consisting of several buildings: the main house, guest house, pool house, bunk house, and garage.
The glass residence is the most interesting of all (main building), which stands out due to a highly modern architecture and perfect rooftop views towards the forest and shoreline beyond. All the living spaces on the top floor are surrounded by glass walls which enable light and air to penetrate. But the area is visually protected by a screen of trees. In contrast, the façade of the first floor filters light and views through heavyweight fiberglass-screened panels. This part of the house shelters the more private spaces of the house. The living space is wide and opened, it abounds in solar light and enjoys the simply furniture, the sunny atmosphere and the glasses enhancing the space. The presence of glass here offers the impression of wandering through a space full of mirrors, escaping into a second and parallel reality.
Set in separate corners of the property, the glass-walled guest house and pool house echo the main house’s underlying principle: open to light, hidden by trees. The Watermill House seems to fluidly move between indoors and outdoors.
