‘Mr. Salvini’s most recent work is a series of houses that re-imagine two classic American residential forms: the country cabin and the beach house. Finding inspiration for each in, respectively, Woodstock (New York) and Ocean Beach, Fire Island (New York). Andrea was inspired to propose a new conceptualization of each, updating these vernacular forms both aesthetically and to the era of eco-efficiency.’ By David Savage, New York, NY

‘THE MODERN CABIN: Trilogy of Fire Island homes
Projects revisiting the concept of the American cabin, updating it in a contemporary idiom through minimizing and stylizing the lines and architectural elements, while still remaining true to its purpose and traditional spirit as a private getaway.

Following is a trilogy of projects in Fire Island. The first option is a ‘zoomorphic’ house inspired by a crab, reflected in the shape of its stilts. The architecture developed vertically as a response to preserve as much as possible the existing on-site garden. The hexagon-shaped house is inspired by the work of Andrew Geller (www.andrewgeller.net) as the inhabitants of the house are very open-minded and familiar with his work. Geller designed several striking and eccentric beach houses. The last option is a horizontal house, simply called the ‘Flat House’. It explores a single-floor option and readjusts the plan and layout of the cabin in Woodstock in a more vernacular design in Fire Island’s mid-century architectural context.

Differing in environmental setting from the house in Woodstock, each of these projects is focused on maximizing the space of very limited plots of land. The use of the ground floor as a ‘loggia’ and the rooftop as a solarium in all of these houses emphasizes the importance of recreational space for socializing and entertaining, but also private outdoor areas for relaxation and again, reconnection to nature.’

ARCHITECT: Andrea Salvini, Brooklyn, NY. LOCATION: Fire Island, NY. DESCRIPTION: residential. STATUS: design phase. DATE: 2012. No part of this web site may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Morfae and the copyright owner.