Chilmark Guest House
Chilmark, Massachusetts
This two-bedroom house uphill from its older relative, Chilmark House, occupies a sunny patch on a steep slope that affords views of Vineyard Sound and is surrounded by native vegetation. Our design makes every effort to embed guesthouse occupants in the natural environment. Small and compact, it defines the southern edge of a small meadow.
The guesthouse links to Chilmark House by a path of rustic stones, and while it has some views of its larger neighbor, enjoys near-total privacy. It shares with the main house the same set of impulses: a continual connection with nature and a roof deck and other outdoor places to enjoy nature, including a roomy outdoor shower built with angled mahogany slats around a patinated steel frame. Inside are two bedrooms at opposite ends of the house, each with their own bathroom. The communal area is in the center of the guesthouse; it has a sitting area with three banquettes that convert to beds. A curtain by the kitchenette can be drawn for privacy, turning this into an extra bedroom for children. Interior walls are teak, cork and mahogany, giving the house the feel of a classic boat. The exterior is meticulously detailed, with copper cladding, cedar and fir, linking it to the main house and the New England region.
Martha’s Vineyard is home to the single largest concentration of our residential work. Chilmark Guesthouse—like many of these commissions—is immersed in the landscape and continually reconnects its inhabitants with nature and and nearby Vineyard Sound.
The spaces flow gracefully into one another, creating delightful places to be with beautiful, short range views into adjacent spaces….The architects have created their own language that fits nicely in the Martha’s Vineyard tradition….The result is crafted extremely well, it is gorgeous, and it is organically related to the site.
Robert Campbell, Design Awards Make Space for Beauty and Craftsmanship, The Boston Globe
The design incorporates abundant natural light throughout, filtered by the surrounding trees, creating airy spaces in counterpoint to the rich teak, mahogany and cork interior palette.
The roof deck heightens the experience of the outdoors and offers sweeping views to the east and Vineyard Sound.
