House in the Lanes Merit
The House in the Lanes is a personal expression of the client’s journey and her deep connection to nature and to Japanese culture. Blending the principles of simplicity, precision, and sustainability, the home offers a modern interpretation of traditional values, designed to thrive in the heart of the Hamptons.
The client’s and architects’ commitment to green building shaped many design decisions. The House in the Lanes is a ‘positive energy’ home, meaning it produces more energy than it consumes. A rooftop solar array, ground source heat pump heating and cooling, and an energy recovery ventilation system ensure the house meets its energy needs while minimizing its environmental footprint. The exterior wrapper was developed with a building envelope consultant to minimize thermal bridging and provide air- and water-tightness. The home includes an electric car charger, further reflecting the client’s future-focused mindset.
What’s remarkable is that this house, though compact, is able to generate surplus energy—proof that good design doesn’t need to sacrifice sustainability. It’s about living lightly on the land – a principle the client carried with her from her years in Japan.
Photography: Eric Petschek