Palette Architecture is pleased to introduce Shift | House, a 1,600 s.f. new home for a family of four. It is constructed of prefabricated, modular components that were factory fabricated and connected on-site. The design takes advantage of prefabrication’s economies in budget and schedule, without compromising on the overall design intent. These tools are deployed in a house enriched by its natural surroundings and supportive of the family’s activities.

In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, there was a desire amongst many New Yorkers to supplement their homes in the city with ones more connected to nature. A prior client asked us to design a second home away from their Brooklyn townhouse, and they quickly settled on a tree-lined subdivision in East Hampton, in relative visual seclusion from their neighbors. The house was to be modest in scale and budget, with an urgency to occupy it.

Concurrent with the start of this project, the architects were navigating contractor shortages and long wait times on a number of their projects. They suggested prefabrication to the client to achieve lower construction costs, an expedited schedule, and improved budget and schedule certainty. They then embarked on a design process that worked within prefabrication’s limits, while pressing the fabricator to expand their offerings to meet Palette’s design goals.

Moderating modular

Shift House is comprised of three modules and five panels. The modules form each of the bedroom wings and the central kitchen, living room, and dining room. The five panels were used to supplement the height of the living module. Once fabricated, the house was assembled on site within a day, including MEP systems. Floor finishes, exterior cladding, and selective millwork were installed on-site afterwards. Palette’s initial steps focused on overcoming the traditional shortcomings of modular construction. Transportation constraints typically provide less than ideal room dimensions, requiring overlapping modules at critical areas. Similarly, traditional module heights preclude grand spaces, which the firm overcame using prefabricated panels to extend the living module’s height. Dozens of configurations were developed and evaluated to balance spatial quality against constructability. Ultimately, the architects arrived at a scheme with two-bedroom wings that connected to a central, high-ceilinged living space.

Inviting nature inside

The L-shaped house anchors one edge of a grassy lawn in the back of the property, with the other edges defined by a minimalist swimming pool and rows of trees. An elevated deck forms a transition from the interior. The lush landscaping of the rear contrasts against the front’s gravel and drought-resistant plantings, which offers a sparser appearance to passersby. This enclosed lawn is private and relatively secluded, encapsulating the home’s role as an escape to nature for the family.

The interior of the house is designed to draw in views of the landscaped courtyard. Large windows occupy two walls of the living space, overlooking the rear. Bedrooms and bathrooms also look onto a courtyard, which forms the backdrop to those rooms.

Interior character

Millwork elements were used as a means of creating a unique character element in each of the spaces, as well as a method for allowing the modules to connect more seamlessly. Cabinetry materials were selected for natural textures, lending variation to each piece.