Meadowlark by Garnett.DePasquale

In the coastal town of Sag Harbor, New York, Meadowlark by Garnett.DePasquale reinterprets modernist principles with a focus on liveability, creating a home that is both connected to its surroundings and distinctly personal.

Originally conceived as an auxiliary structure for the adjacent home, Meadowlark evolved into a fully functioning four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence. The project’s journey from a traditional concept to a contemporary box clad in stained cedar took four years and “started with something that looked like a faux whaling museum,” recalls Peter DePasquale, principal of Garnett.DePasquale. The transformation resulted in a design that balances modernism with a respect for the local architecture, bringing a fresh perspective to Sag Harbor.

Shades of green feature prominently throughout, most notably around the fireplace, where textured tiles add depth and character.

Zoning restrictions posed significant challenges, dictating that the entire structure fit within a 45-degree section of the site. This, however, became a source of inspiration rather than a limitation. The house presents a nearly opaque front facade, with just a single door and window, creating a sense of privacy from the street. The rear of the house opens up with a full wall of glass, allowing for a seamless connection between the interior spaces and the surroundings. The openness at the back of the house invites natural light to flood the interior, blurring the boundary between interior and landscape.

Inside, Meadowlark continues to unfold with its considered use of materials and space. Shades of green feature prominently throughout, most notably around the fireplace, where textured tiles add depth and character. This colour palette extends to a sunken light well in the basement, drawing sunlight into the fourth bedroom and enhancing the overall sense of calm within the home. The project is articulated with the kind of modernist sensibility that DePasquale and fellow principal Rebecca Garnett developed at their previous firms, but with a nuanced, warm and sensitive approach to liveability and texture that the two bring to their own work.

Each architectural decision, from the placement of windows to the choice of materials, contributes to a cohesive design that balances simplicity with complexity.

The internal layout further demonstrates the practice’s commitment to clarity and functionality. The entrance, perfectly centred, offers a clear line of sight through the house, while the staircases – carefully positioned and designed – create a fluid circulation that guides residents through the space. “There was a lot of investigation into how stairs could work, how we could make the floor plates make sense,” says Garnett. Each architectural decision, from the placement of windows to the choice of materials, contributes to a cohesive design that balances simplicity with complexity. “Peter’s focus was on orienting and reorienting one’s views,” Garnett notes. “It blows everyone’s mind.”

Meadowlark reflects Garnett.DePasquale’s ability to create a home that is both modern and inviting, blending an emphasis on clean lines with a warm touch.

Architecture by Garnett.DePasquale.