A year-around house in a summer-cottage setting was what the owners specified to their architect. In designing for such a setting, the architect's major problem was wind, which assumes gale proportions along this exposed coastal site in fall and winter. To combat the wind, the seaward roof line was kept low. The large expanse of glass in the center of the weather side of the house is set back well under the roof overhang for protection. On the sides, wing walls extend out to act as wind baffles. All windows except the louvered bathroom windows have fixed panes with ventilating panels. The house assumes the sheltering air of a chalet, characteristic where the elements are severe.
The degree of comfort demanded of a permanent house is necessarily greater than that tolerated in a summer-only cottage. The heating system in this house is one example. The major heat source is an oil-fired low pressure hot water system with the boiler housed in the garage. The living rooms use baseboard hot water heat, but bath and dressing rooms have radiant heat in the floor. The double fireplace has an extra large 21 by 21- inch flue and a 22-foot draw.
The rain gutters extend out beyond the sides of the roof, both as a decorative element and to increase their capacity, to lessen water splash and stain on exterior walls. Downspouts lead into a drainfield which runs into the dunes, emptying into large drums which are buried in the sand.
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source: Sunset Books - Sunset Homes 1967
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