North Sea

After Hurricane Sandy devastated their Howard Beach home, the clients approached Berg Design to create a modern, sleek beach house on the North Fork of Long Island, a fresh beginning shaped by resilience and a desire for meaningful living.

Set along the waters of the Long Island Sound, this project is a study in custom waterfront home design tailored to its site. The house is positioned to capture both sunrise and sunset, with expansive windows and sliding doors that bring natural light and cross-ventilation into every room. Designed to seamlessly connect interior and exterior spaces, the 2,500-square-foot North Sea House blends contemporary coastal design with a sense of openness and flow.

Building on a waterfront property required careful attention to flood-resistant home design and storm resilience. Elevated foundations, durable cladding, and impact-rated glazing ensure the home is prepared for coastal conditions without sacrificing openness or beauty. The home features four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a home office, double-height living spaces, and a kitchen/dining area that opens via a 32-foot sliding glass door onto a small swimming pool.

Tight zoning and coastal setbacks challenged the siting, yet these constraints inspired a design that feels perched above the water, so close that residents experience the sensation of being on a boat. Upstairs bedrooms include private balconies that reinforce a cabin-like atmosphere, while the finished roof deck, known as the observation deck, provides sweeping views of the Long Island Sound.

A durable, high-performance material palette ensures longevity in the coastal environment. The exterior combines innovative fiber cement panels with natural cedar accents, forming a rain screen system that prevents rot, allows the building to breathe, and eliminates the need for painting or maintenance. Windows are framed in heavy anodized aluminum with energy-efficient double-pane glazing, argon gas fill, and low-e coatings, while interior finishes include resilient, modern surfaces designed for comfort and style. The house was built in full compliance with FEMA flood regulations.

The result is a home that addresses the architectural challenges of building on the coast while offering the timeless pleasures of waterfront living. The North Sea House exemplifies modern coastal residential architecture, where careful attention to materials, indoor-outdoor living, and environmental performance combine to create a home that is both resilient and refined.