The Long House
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- Mustique Island, The Grenadines, West Indies, St. Vincent and Grenadines
The island of Mustique is a rough beauty-- a rocky outcrop emerging from the cerulean waters of both the Caribbean and the Atlantic. Ultra opulent villas scatter across beach, forest, hill and cliff evoking otherworldly styles. Towards the center of this rustic playground for the rich and famous is a gently sloping site, triangulated in shape, and expertly vegetated with exotic flora. The most dramatic views of the Ocean and surrounding islands are obtained from the utmost top of the property along the shared access road. Zoning regulations and view maximization establish an incredibly long, linear building envelop.
As you turn off one of the main island roadways you confront a compressed experience traveling between stone retaining walls overflowing with vegetation. A small carve-out and a transformation of ground surface material from concrete pavers to cut stone signifies a sense of entry and location for mule parking is obvious. Framed by large, flowering canopy trees, a stone portal of distinctive proportion surrounds a wooden door rich and simple in texture. On crossing through the threshold one encounters a spectacular vista framed by an intimate courtyard with a central water feature that feeds a small channel surrounded by carved benches primitive in nature. Shoes off, one enters the home on access with a majestic tree surrounded by floating stairs both ascending and descending. To the left are public living spaces, while to the right are the private living quarters. Materials in the house are comfortable, distinctive, and sincere. Smooth finished concrete floors, off white in color, flow through the open spaces juxtaposed against weather worn teak shutters, and decks. The living area is expressed as an open pavilion between landscape and view. Furniture is low, sleek and incredibly comfortable-made of incredibly rich material; yet simple in form. Decorative screens divide individual moments in the room providing opportunities for private dinning. A utilitarian kitchen and service area set forth a sense of enclosure.
Turning right off of the central court, a hallway unfolds. Lush and fragrant vegetation provide a sense of enclosure and enhance the linear passage. Four bedroom suites contain sleeping, dressing, and bathing areas with large exterior rooms-blurring boundaries of enclosure. Tropical breezes circulate above and below the room aiding in comfort creation. The fourth room at the end of the hall comprises the master suite-slightly larger in area and more gracious in accommodations.
The sound of water below leads one to descend the stairs in the central court and encounter a spectacular pool that merges with the sky and water beyond. The pool feed by cascade from above continues down the slope creating various moments for aquatic enjoyment. Dramatic and intimate spaces for lounging, dinning and sunning engage the pool and terraced gardens retained by indigenous stone walls. The house above appears to float magically over the terraced ground. Aromatic and edible vegetation delight the senses.
Ascending the stairs in the central court, a sky garden is experienced. Above the treetops-the expansive vistas are ideal for watching ethereal sunsets and the moon light dance on the Caribbean wave crests.
The Long House establishes a powerful; yet delicate balance between earth and sky, water and garden-- engaging views of its distant dramatic context while immediately comforting with earnest textures and sincere architecture.
