New York-based architecture studio General Assembly has completed a stunning renovation of a 1960s cedar-shingled beach house in Amagansett, East Hampton, drawing inspiration from Californian modernism and local architectural heritage. The 1,400-square-foot holiday home features striking design elements including pine-green tiles and a custom stainless-steel soaking tub, creating a unique blend of mid-century aesthetics and contemporary functionality.
The project, led by General Assembly co-founders Sarah Zames and Colin Stief, pays homage to the area's architectural history while incorporating bold material choices. "The 1960s cedar-shingled Amagansett beach bungalow really calls to mind the Hamptons of decades past, the incredible natural surroundings and the many humble, historic homes in the area," Zames explained. The design team also drew significant inspiration from Norman Jaffe, a local architect known for his 1960s and 70s work that reimagined classic cedar-shingled houses and created architecture deeply rooted in the landscape.
Located within Napeague State Park near the waters of Napeague Bay, the home's setting heavily influenced the design approach. Stief noted that the studio looked to California's rugged Sea Ranch modernism, "adding softened finishes and details like wood millwork, patterned wallpapers and tile that echo the color palette of the surrounding shrubs and trees." This connection to the natural environment became a defining characteristic of the renovation.
The renovation required strategic architectural modifications to accommodate the contemporary lifestyle of the Manhattan-based couple who own the property. "We wanted to make some strategic architectural moves to meet the needs of our clients' more contemporary lifestyle, while staying true to the spirit of the original house," Zames said. The team carved out space for an additional bathroom, expanded the kitchen where both clients enjoy spending time, and created a double-height studio for Jeannie Kim, a jewelry designer.
One of the home's most striking features is the main bathroom, which showcases the studio's commitment to unexpected design details. The space features a custom stainless-steel soaking tub that is sunken into the floor and surrounded by sage-green tiles. "We also added some unexpected design details and material choices to give the home a highly crafted, tactile quality, from the custom stainless steel soaking tub in the primary bath and graphic wood railing cuts out that casts beautiful shadows throughout the day," Zames noted.
The color palette throughout the house reflects the natural surroundings of Napeague State Park, with neutral beige and off-white tones serving as a backdrop for nature-inspired accents. Pine-green tiles clad the kitchen floor, directly referencing the pine trees found in the surrounding park. "So much of the color palette was inspired by the incredible natural surroundings of this home," Stief explained. "The natural wood tones and greens, particularly the 'pine green' tile flooring in the kitchen, which is similar to the pine trees found in the surrounding park."
Wood millwork features prominently throughout the interior, adding warmth and creating a lived-in atmosphere that balances the colorful tile elements. The living room showcases sculptural furniture and organic, rounded shapes that add a playful touch to the space, including a kidney-shaped coffee table designed by General Assembly and a high-backed woven chair. "The curved forms really soften and balance the harder lines of the rattan sofa and vintage chair in the living room space," Stief observed.
The renovation successfully bridges the gap between the home's 1960s origins and contemporary living requirements, creating what Zames describes as a "highly crafted, tactile quality" that feels both personal and unique. The project represents General Assembly's broader approach to residential design, which has also been showcased in recent projects including a model residence at Brooklyn's 144 Vanderbilt development and an apartment in a brutalist Manhattan tower. The photography for the project was captured by William Jess Laird, documenting the successful transformation of this Hamptons retreat.
