Shift | House
New 1,600 SF prefabricated house for a family of four
Shift | House is a 1,600 SF, new house for a family of four. It is constructed of prefabricated, modular components that were factory fabricated and connected on site. The design takes advantage of prefabrication’s economies in budget and schedule, without compromising on the overall design intent. These tools are deployed in a house enriched by its natural surroundings, and supportive of the family’s activities.
In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, there was a desire amongst many New Yorkers to supplement their homes in the city with ones more connected to nature. A prior client asked us to design a second home away from their Brooklyn townhouse. They quickly settled on a tree lined subdivision in East Hampton, in relative visual seclusion from its neighbors. The house was to be modest in scale and budget, with an urgency to occupy it quickly.
Concurrent with the start of this project, we were navigating contractor shortages and long wait times on a number of our projects. We suggested prefabrication to achieve lower construction costs, an expedited schedule, and improved budget and schedule certainty. We embarked on a design process that worked within prefabrication’s limits, while pressing the fabricator to expand their offerings to meet our design goals.
Moderating Modular
The house is comprised of three modules, and five panels. The modules form each of two bedroom wings, and the central kitchen, living, and dining rooms. The five panels were used to supplement the height of the living module. Once fabricated, the house was assembled on site within a day, including MEP systems. Floor finishes, exterior cladding, and selective millwork were installed on site afterwards. Our initial steps focused on overcoming the traditional shortcomings of modular construction. Transportation constraints typically provide smaller than ideal room dimensions, requiring overlapping modules at critical areas. Similarly, traditional module heights preclude grand spaces, which we overcame using prefabricated panels to extend the living module’s height. Dozens of configurations were developed and evaluated to balance quality of space against constructability. Ultimately, we arrived on a scheme with two bedroom wings that connected to a central, high ceilinged living space.
Inviting Nature Inside
The L-shaped house anchors one edge of a grassy lawn in the back of the property. The other edges are defined by a minimalist swimming pool and rows of trees. An elevated deck forms a transition from the interior. The lush landscaping of the rear contrasts against the front’s gravel and drought resistant plantings, which offers a more sparse appearance to passersby. This enclosed lawn is private and relatively secluded, encapsulating the home’s role as an escape to nature for the family. The interior of the house is designed to draw in views of the landscaped courtyard. Large windows occupy two walls of the living space, overlooking the rear. Bedrooms and bathrooms also look onto courtyard, which forms the backdrop to these rooms.
Connecting Character
Millwork elements were used as a means of creating unique character to the spaces, as well as allowing the modules to connect more seamlessly. Cabinetry was designed using material finishes with strong natural character, lending a unique identities to various spaces in the house.
Drawings
- Location East Hampton, NY
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Collaborators
MEP Engineer | RAAD
Fabricator | Simplex Homes
Contractor | Cedar Knolls Homes - Size 1,600 SF
- Status Completed | 2023
- Photography Jody Kivort
