Cedar-clad Elizabeth II house in Amagansett shelters its residents from outside noise

The Elisabeth II concrete house in Amagansett, New York, is all about superb acoustic performance. Its thick and strategically positioned walls cancel out the noise of the bustling resort town and provide excellent thermal insulation.

Bates Masi Architects used wide cedar boards for external cladding, which gives the house a natural, organic look and feel.The architects approached the design of the house by researching how form, materials and details shape acoustic performance of architecture. A series of parallel walls provide layers of privacy and thermal insulation, creating a comfortable living space that seems to be miles away from the bustling daily life of the village. The walls project beyond the living spaces and ascend in height, changing it relation to the human scale from the entry to the center of the house. By diffracting sound waves, the wall cast an acoustic shadow over the property and create a quiet outdoor area.

Insulated concrete walls have a structural role and span over the central space all the way to the covered deck. Wide cedar board siding are attached with custom stainless steel clips meant to prolong the life of the natural material. The hinges allow sound waves to pass through the boards and get absorbed by the felt. Different variations of the clips are used in the interior as robe hooks, cabinet pulls and other details.