Blue Dream house by DS+R: Innovative architecture inspired by coastal dunes
The Blue Dream house, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), is a masterful example of innovative 21st-century organic architecture, inspired by the natural landscape of coastal Long Island. This single-family residence takes its cues from the undulating dunes that surround it, blending cutting-edge aerospace modeling and fabrication techniques to create a structure that seamlessly integrates with its environment.
The approach to the house leads through a sculpted landscape of artificial dunes, forming a dynamic contrast between the meticulously groomed estates of the neighborhood and the untamed natural dunes of the beach beyond. The design blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior, with a mullion-free glazing system that allows the dune-like topography to flow uninterrupted into the house, creating a harmonious connection with nature.
At the heart of the residence Blue Dream is the main living area, a spacious, open-concept design divided into distinct zones by subtle topographical changes in the floor. Above this space, an extraordinary fiberglass and foam monocoque roof structure stretches across, engineered using a lightweight sandwich of resin and foam. Weighing only a fraction of what a traditional concrete or steel roof would, this innovative construction method allows for dramatic cantilevers, with the roof extending up to 30 feet beyond the living spaces, offering shade and framing spectacular views of the beach.
The roof of Blue Dream also plays a pivotal role in the architectural expression of key features like the fireplace and skylight. Its structural ingenuity lies not only in its weight but also in its aesthetic, as it touches down at select points, defining moments of architectural significance. Beneath this expansive roof, the house provides intimate spaces, particularly the lower-level bedrooms that nestle into the surrounding dunes, creating a cozy, sheltered feel.
The master suite, in contrast, is perched atop the residence, enveloped by the sweeping curves of the roof and opening onto a private terrace with breathtaking 360-degree views. The suite’s interior, along with other private areas of the house, is crafted with CNC-milled end-grain mesquite wood, adding a tactile warmth and a cocoon-like ambiance.
By merging advanced aerospace technology with an organic, site-responsive approach, DS+R has crafted a home that not only meets the needs of its occupants but also becomes an integral part of the coastal landscape it inhabits. Blue Dream exemplifies how architecture can evolve in the 21st century, using innovative materials and techniques to foster a deeper connection between human habitation and the natural world.
Photography by Iwan Baan, courtsey of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, shared with permission
Credits
Partners: Charles Renfro, Elizabeth Diller, Ricardo Scofidio, and Benjamin Gilmartin
Project Leaders: Holly Deichmann, Quang Truong, and Bryce Suite
Designers: Michael Etzel, Oskar Arnorsson, Alice Chai, Thomas Carruthers, Alina Agorokhova, Mark Morris, Stefano Paiocchi, Andres Oyaga Loewy, Jorge Pereira, Haruka Saito, Roland Vega, Elizabeth Wisecarver, Chris Andreacola, Ann Croombs, Amber Foo, Garrick Jones, Trevor Lamphier, Kevin Murray, and Alex Knezo
External Credits
Client Representative: Lauri Etela
Structural Engineers: LERA Consulting Structural Engineers
FRP Structural Engineer: Optima Projects
MEP Engineer: Polise Consulting Engineers
Landscape Architects: Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture (MBLA)
Lighting: Isometrix Lighting + Design
Civil Engineer: D.B. Bennett Consulting Engineer
Interior Decorator: Michael Paul Lewis
Specialty Fabricator & General Contractor: Bulgin & Associates
FRP Roof: Janicki Industries
Acoustics: Threshold Acoustics
Construction Specifications: Construction Specifications, Inc.
Drapery Consultant: Erik Bruce, Inc.
Façade Engineering: Eckersley O’Callaghan
Bronze Foundry: UAP + Polich Tallix
