Why renovate a 10-year-old prefab home that could be swept away in the next big storm? Gap Cove House represents an entirely original typology for New England: Elevated a full storey above grade on sturdy concrete piers, this former Cape Cod is now poised to weather the next devastating storm surge, sheltering a cozy outdoor living area with views of the Atlantic Ocean below. The transformation expanded the original structure to include a solar chimney for natural cooling, re-clad the exterior with red cedar and copper and topped it all off with photovoltaic panels that provide all the home’s power.

Project: Gap Cove House
Location: Rockport, Massachusetts, USA
Firm: Ruhl Walker Architects, USA
Team: Jide Olanrewaju, Nerijus Petrokas and William T. Ruhl