A Quiet Statement by Adam Jordan

ADAM JORDAN ARCHITECTURE

Imagined as a place to age and patina with grace, Shagwong Residence sits comfortably in its coastal locale in East Hampton, quietly taking a sedative position in awe of its surrounding landscape. Adam Jordan Architecture explores a sensitive and robust response to the enviable sanctuary conjured on site.

ARCHITECT Adam Jordan Architecture | STYLING Hamptons Good Design | PHOTOGRAPHY Eric Petschek | WORDS Bronwyn Marshall

Absorbed in the affluence and activity of the Hamptons, Adam Jordan Architecture is located in Water Mill with a portfolio of contextually responsive residences that allow founder Adam Jordan’s clients a countering balance from the bustle of nearby Manhattan. Founded in 2014, the practice links the traditional and rural vernacular through local materiality and craft, to propose homes of resonance; appropriately befitting of their coastal context. Shagwong Residence is one such place, where light and contrast inject a sense of drama and theatre, while still being mindful of a unique natural connection.

Like many occasional homes, an inherent robust durability is key, ensuring a low maintenance approach. While much of his work is inspired by a light-washed coastal aesthetic approach, the Shagwong brief had a different proposition; “The client requested a dark home. Designing a dark home, inside and out, was a new experience for the office,” Adam says. “We were surprised at how well the dark home elevated the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The darker tones created a warm, organic and calm setting that highlighted the bright, airy and vibrant views of the water and lush landscaping.”

In its own way, the unfamiliar tonal approach provides an opportunity for exploration within the studio, while a connection to a familiar formal approach, “Similar to barns in the area,” Adam says, cements a sense of purpose. The combination of charred timber, zinc metal and exposed concrete reveal honest and textured layers, adding depth and complexity. Designed around a central and private courtyard, Adam adds, “The first glimpse of the water is experienced upon entering the home. As you continue into the public areas of the home, the exterior openings grow in size allowing unobstructed views of the water and surrounding landscape. These openings open fully to the exterior allowing a seamless transition for indoor and outdoor living.”

As a warm and embracing weekend destination, Shagwong Residence redefines the typical coastal approach, offering a deep and richly layered complexity through materiality and finish. The careful and considered use of restraint and precision sees Adam Jordan Architecture push subtle boundaries, creating a dreamy destination that evokes an unending sense of calm.

–Adam Jordan