New York home designed to endure periodic flooding

The Kiht’han house takes advantage of flood prevention measures by incorporating them into its design

Spotted: The US firm Bates Masi Architects has created a home that embraces its natural setting and is protected during periodic flooding. The Kiht’han house is elevated from the ground and fitted with lower-level screens that ensure the house is protected. It sits on a one-acre property in Sagaponack, a seaside village in Long Island, straddling agrarian and coastal landscapes.

The property is broken into a series of vertical volumes placed at different angles and connected by glass-enclosed bridges. The bridges allow occupants to appreciate the dramatic spaces, whether they are flooded in wet periods, or interconnected by flows of native plantings in the dryer periods. The orientation of each volume is influenced by how the interior is used and the desire for views of the natural landscapes. Moreover, maximum privacy is given, as four guest rooms are separated from the main living areas and a master suite. Other amenities of the house include a laundry/mudroom, a family room, and a pool house that adjoins a swimming pool.

The house expresses a seamless connection between the exterior and interior, as the boards and battens design that allows water to flow under the house is carried inside. The horizontal datum lines are displayed onto the interior walls by means of material transitions for interior finishes and wall claddings. Furthermore, the home is fitted with earthy finishes and contemporary furnishings. Owing to large windows and sliding doors, communal spaces have the flexibility of providing indoor-outdoor living. 

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