- Project: Underhill
- Architect: Bates Masi Architects
- Location: United States, Matinecock, New York
- Year: 2023
- Area: 589 m2
- Photography: Michael Moran / OTTO
Underhill by Bates Masi Architects is a remarkable residential project inspired by the Quaker principles of simplicity, humility, and inner reflection. Situated in Matinecock, New York—an early Quaker settlement—this suburban home is thoughtfully designed for a couple who desired to raise their children in a serene, yet accessible environment just outside of the city.
Design Rooted in History and Place
Rather than reacting outwardly to the tightly packed suburban context, the house turns inward. It’s composed of a series of modest gabled volumes, each organized around its own private courtyard. This inward orientation not only honors the Quaker tradition of introspection but also enhances privacy and fosters a deep connection to nature.
Each courtyard is minimalist in composition, inviting reflection and quiet appreciation of natural elements. By layering interior and exterior spaces, the home collapses the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Carefully framed views across courtyards connect rooms both visually and spatially, providing continuous interaction with the landscape.
Craft and Materiality
Material selection and detailing play a critical role in the design of Underhill. The oak floors and weathered oak ceilings are custom-cut and mitered to radiate out from the center of each courtyard, emphasizing the geometric clarity and spiritual essence of the space. Weathered steel straps trace across the ceilings, organizing lighting and audiovisual elements while reinforcing the radial concept.
Natural ventilation and daylight are also key. Each gabled volume features a sculpted roof profile that funnels light and fresh air directly into the core of the home, ensuring year-round comfort and a profound sense of serenity.
A Thoughtful Alternative to Conventional Suburban Living
The homeowners—an urban professional couple—sought a retreat that would offer their children a grounded lifestyle without sacrificing proximity to the city. Underhill achieves this with a design that values inward focus over outward exhibition, replacing fences and façades with gardens and quiet introspection.
This philosophy mirrors the approach seen in other Bates Masi projects, such as the Georgica Cove Residence and Atlantic House, where materiality, place, and history converge into timeless architecture.
