Morris Island Residence
Chatham, MA
Architect: Monte French Design Studio
Contractor: Patrick Haydon
Photography: Kristian Alveo
Video: Pearl MF
Original Series
People
History & Vision
The Morris Island Residence is near the southern tip of Cape Cod, outside Chatham, MA. Homeowners Patrick and Leigh Ann Haydon love spending summers on Cape Cod, having previously shared a house with another family. One morning during a bike ride, Patrick discovered a home for sale as a teardown, sparking the idea for a new project. As a contractor, he suggested renovating the summer home to Leigh Ann. The appealing property and neighborhood, along with the house's uniqueness, inspired them to proceed.
Patrick reached out to his architect friend Monte French to view the property. They quickly aligned on their vision and formed a team to bring their ideas to life. Monte and project manager Alex Yoon led the design, while Patrick managed construction. Their relationship allowed for flexible collaboration, giving Patrick and Leigh Ann creative freedom. They started with basic drawings, developing details as the work progressed. The renovation unfolded in three phases: landscaping, refurbishing the original house, and adding two master suites plus a guest suite above the garage.
Design & Construction Photos
Obstacles
The design team encountered challenges that led to creative solutions, enhancing the house. First, they tackled the thick trees on the property by clearing the backyard, creating an open space to realize the home’s potential.
Next, they updated the original house's interior by removing a wall for a more open layout and modernizing the design. The exterior required more work, as they replaced the old vertical white cedar cladding with Kebony modified wood for better durability. This natural material also blended well with the Cape Cod setting.
After these updates, the Haydons decided to add on. This presented a challenge of merging a new, modern addition with the existing mid-century architecture. To achieve this, the team designed a separate structure connected by a glass bridge, ensuring a seamless integration.
Standout Features
The Morris Island Residence features an exciting rooftop deck above the master suites. Since the suites are primarily for sleeping, the deck serves as a lounging area. Glass rails provide an unobstructed view of the landscape and part of the ocean.
Access to the rooftop deck is surprising; the staircase is hidden in the wall, designed to slide out and lock into place, allowing access through a skylight. Originally, the Haydons were unsure how often they would use it, but it has become one of their favorite spaces.
An interesting feature is the dry river beneath the glass bridge, designed with large boulders and rocks to mimic a rocky riverbed. The boulders were brought in from New Hampshire, specifically from Leigh Ann’s brother's home.
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