joeb moore + partners reflects coastal landscape in spiral house

joeb moore + partners reflects coastal landscape in spiral house
images © jeff goldberg/esto
all images courtesy of joeb moore & partners

the ‘spiral house’ by american studio joeb moore & partners is situated along the connecticut shoreline of long island sound. engaging with its surrounding coastal conditions, the multi-faceted structure offers a series of atmospheres that respond to the context of light, air, and water. the building functions as an interface between two types of geometry with an overlapping system of open and closed spaces. consisting of both fixed components and more radial dynamic ones, a spatial progression is created between the public and private areas, and also the interior and exterior.

the entrance is accessed by an extended and gently sloping ramp, leading one past a floating box above. set on thin pilotis, this strategy opens the ground floor to the ocean beyond with a glass lobby that connects the masses together.

the floating box offers unobstructed views out to the ocean
image © jeff goldberg/esto

the house and landscape are intimately entwined, reflecting the ever-changing nature of the ocean that is both calm and gentle and rough and mysterious. the choice of materials enables it to blend in with this environment – cedar wooden siding, large panel glass window and door systems that offer expansive views, and also concrete for its durability. the contrast between the spiral structure and its vertical fins against the rough concrete plinth and ramp produces a diverse range of architectonic experiences.

wooden cedar fins are applied to the exterior, softening the built form into its coastal landscape
image © jeff goldberg/esto

the living has large glazed sliding doors and windows that open directly onto the beachfront
image © jeff goldberg/esto

the glass lobby entrance connects the overlapping geometries together
image © jeff goldberg/esto

the stairway leading up to the volume above 
image © jeff goldberg/esto

(left) skylight
(right) fins detail
images © jeff goldberg/esto

view from the beach
image © jeff goldberg/esto

the entrance is accessed by a gently sloping concrete ramp
image © jeff goldberg/esto

sketch drawings of the spiral house

first floor plan

project info:

architects: joeb moore & partners architects
structural engineer: robert sillman associates
mechanical engineer: tucker and associates, inc.
general contractor: frank talcott, inc.
landscape architects: joeb moore + partners architect and owner
consultants: concrete architectural works, inc., david roggero, custom architectural concrete shower, tub and vanity
photography: images © jeff goldberg/esto

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