Abaco House feature in Perspective Magazine

1. PERSPECTIVE Summer 2010
LINKED TO
Local Color HEAVEN
color, sunshine and A tranquil getaway
ease on an island in the Bahamas
The MODERN
OFFICE
PLAYROOMS Three styles - one concept
WITH A
PURPOSE NO STONE LEFT
Extreme playrooms UNTURNED
that stretch the A trendy bar and restaurant
imagination retro renovation

2. linked to
HEAVEN
16

3. When a high-profile couple – marital as well as entrepreneurial – heard that the B Club on
Winding Bay was building a Scottish links-style golf course, they wanted to know more.
Avid golfers but busy professionals, they sent Keith Gross, architect at HDS Architects of
Cambridge, to explore the island.
Summer 2010 | www.perspectivenewengland.com
WRITTEN BY REGINA COLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAMELA JONES

4. A GRowING cAcHE of
happy memories
18
Gross had done commercial work for
these clients: they knew each other
well. Thus, when their architect returned
from an initial scouting trip not only
suggesting that they buy something
in the new development, but telling
them which lot to purchase, they did
just that. Then they also bought the
neighboring piece of land.
“I recommended this lot because it
is on a promontory,” Gross says. “It’s
close to the water and the view won’t
be obstructed by future buildings.
“They were among the first people to
buy property there,” he explains. “They
purchased the second lot for privacy
and as an investment.”
Now the idyllic beach front piece of real
estate is home to a 6,500 square foot
house, a 2-bedroom guest cottage, and
a growing cache of happy memories.

5. tHE lIGHtS IN tHE cuPolA GlIMMER AcRoSS tHE wAtER lIkE A
lighthouse showing the way to a safe harbor
Golf brought them to this Bahamian Out designed by Donald Steel and Tom McKenzie
Island, but the couple returns as often draws a growing number of cognoscenti to
as possible for the beautiful scenery, the its narrow fairways, spectacular greens, and
spectacular sunsets, and for the joy of stunning views. Ten holes are directly on
experiencing them from the effortless the ocean; constant winds make for varied,
elegance of their vacation home. challenging play.
Of course, they do play golf. The course When they’re not hitting the links, they ride
Summer 2010 | www.perspectivenewengland.com

6. 20
ItAlIAN
limestone

7. horses on the beach,
snorkel along the world’s
third-largest barrier reef,
sail, kayak, fish, play
cards and board games
with their grown children.
Often they do nothing
more strenuous than lie
on striped canvas deck
chairs and gaze at the
U-shaped bay. Whatever
the activity, the house
was designed to make it
easy.
“They didn’t want a
really big house,” says
Gross. “They wanted it
to be understated, and
to blend in. And,” he
continues, “They kept
saying ‘Open it up as
much as possible; make
it about the view.’”
He did with a cupola-
crowned 2-story block
flanked by single
story wings, children’s
bedrooms to the east,
kitchen and breakfast
nook in the west wing.
The central part houses
the living room, dining
room, bar, and a game
room. The second
story is given over to
luxurious master suite,
which includes a study,
a sybaritic bath, and a
deck that wraps around
the front facade.
In keeping with his clients’
request, Gross kept walls
to a minimum.
Summer 2010 | www.perspectivenewengland.com

8. 22

9. MAkE It About tHE
view
“The interior is subtle, not flashy,” he says. “The flooring is Italian limestone; some of
the walls are plastered, some are vertical boards, wire brushed to raise the grain.”
The clean sensibility of the rooms belies the arduous construction process.
“We had to drive 186 concrete pilings down 30 feet to bedrock,” Gross recalls, “Before
we could begin. Building offshore is always a challenge. It took twice as long as it would
have otherwise.”
Summer 2010 | www.perspectivenewengland.com

10. 24
tHE MAIN PARt of tHE HouSE
shines above the sand dunes

11. Because New England loyalists settled the Abacos after the American
Revolution, local building traditions call for clapboard, cedar shakes,
and center-entry Cape-like houses. Keith Gross reached back to an
earlier context for his design.
“The historic inspiration for this house is the 2-story Colonial stone
structure,” he says. “The wings were designed to look like later
additions.”
Clad in hand-hewn local white limestone, the main part of the house
shines above the sand dunes and the sparkling water. Atlantic white
cedar forms the roof, designed with deep overhangs for shade.
Serene inside and out, the house sets the standard for vacation
relaxation. After dark, the lights in the cupola glimmer across the
water like a lighthouse showing the way to a safe harbor.
Come Home to Quality
©Barry M. Miller/Beshert Photo.com
©Barry M. Miller/Beshert Photo.com
VON SALMI
and Associates, Inc.
Construction, Consulting and Design
Heirloom Construction | Carefree Living
Master Builders | Consultants | Construction Forensic Services
www.vonsalmi.com | 617.823.9407
Summer 2010 | www.perspectivenewengland.com