Modern beach house combines style and smarts

A seaside vacation home doesn’t mean what it used to. With rising sea levels and unpredictable weather, architects are learning to prepare for the worst without sacrificing the design itself.

This Maine beach house from Caleb Johnson Studio is a textbook example of how to build a gorgeous beachfront home with an eye to the surroundings. The airy house sits atop timber pilotis and a concrete plinth, ready for any water to wash over the surrounding dunes.

Photo: Trent Bell courtesy Caleb Johnson Studio

Photo: Trent Bell courtesy Caleb Johnson Studio

Given its seaside location, the home is designed for weathering, but it’s a refined take on the classic rustic beach house. The facade is clad in vertical light cedar panels, and the roof is made from metal. Dark metal outlines the windows, making the house feel sturdy and modern.

The home was designed as two simple gabled structures that connect via a central stairway. Inside, the space plays with materiality—bold, marbled countertops, black granite stairway landings, and lots of wood. It still stays true to its beachy vibe, though, with natural colors, light walls, and plenty of windows to look out onto the glassy ocean.

Photo: Trent Bell courtesy Caleb Johnson Studio

Photo: Trent Bell courtesy Caleb Johnson Studio

Photo: Trent Bell courtesy Caleb Johnson Studio

Photo: Trent Bell courtesy Caleb Johnson Studio

Photo: Trent Bell courtesy Caleb Johnson Studio

Via: Dezeen