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Perched in Montauk’s Hither Hills, a 1960s prefabricated flat-top A-frame - built by the current owner’s late father - has been reimagined as a year-round retreat for a family of four and their friends. 

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The un-insulated structure was originally intended as a seasonal escape from the city, with no cooling and a wood-burning fireplace as the only heat source on colder days. The timber-clad interior presented significant water damage, and the windows were in need of an update. The aging house struggled to keep up with the evolving needs of its users, yet for the family, it held decades of history and memories. Its deep emotional resonance became the basis to most design decisions as the home was expanded and readapted to fit a new role. 

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The renovation started with a full gut of the interior. Walls and ceilings were packed with insulation and sealed with a vapor barrier, then finished in new douglas fir boards echoing the original material palette. High-performance windows replaced the aging originals, and two new openings in the kitchen were added to draw more light into the heart of the home.

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To improve flow, CLT beams were introduced to span the full width of the structure, allowing the removal of the posts that once divided the main floor. A rear extension increased the total floor area to 2,600sqft and created space for a new bedroom and full bathroom. A new ipe wood deck extends the living spaces outdoors, and embraces the trees that have stood by the house for decades.

Outside, cedar board-and-batten siding replaces the aged plywood paneling, adding rhythm, texture and the promise of weathered patinas. 

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Inside, the design blends old and new with intention. The original staircase - hand-built by the owner's father - was carefully preserved. The kitchen combines white oak cabinetry and soapstone and Pietra Cardoso countertops in a warm, modern composition that references the home's past language as it articulates a story of its own.  

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In the bathroom, handcrafted wood-fired tiles line the walls, while terracotta on the floor complements the douglas fir flooring in the rest of the house. A soapstone and white oak vanity floats between walls.

Building systems were fully updated: a discreet split HVAC system provides both cooling and heating, and the new induction cooktop and electric ovens allow the house to run on electricity alone.  

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Lighting is a central design element, contributing to the warm, welcoming character of the home. Fixtures define the spaces, highlight functions, and wash the walls in a warm glow. 

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Ultimately, the renovated home is a portrait of its inhabitants—a layered space where personalities, memories, and histories converse with clarity and care. It stands as both a tribute to the past and a framework for the family’s future, embodying the kind of architectural storytelling that evolves over generations.