Acton Cove House by Bates Masi + Architects: A Layered Coastal Retreat in Annapolis

  • Project: Acton Cove House
  • Architect: Bates Masi Architects
  • Location: United States, Annapolis, Maryland
  • Year: 2017
  • Area: 518 m2
  • Photography: Michael Moran

Situated on the edge of Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, the Acton Cove House by Bates Masi + Architects exemplifies a harmonious blend of modern design and coastal resilience. Designed for an active family passionate about boating, this waterfront residence transforms a compact lot into a layered sanctuary that engages with its maritime surroundings.

Design Inspired by Historical Layers

During the demolition of the site’s previous 1970s structure, layers of old bulkheads and fill were uncovered, revealing a history of land expansion into the harbor. This discovery inspired the new design’s layered approach, addressing challenges posed by the coastal environment and the need for privacy in a densely populated area.

The home’s design features multiple layers:

  • Bulkhead and Boardwalk: The outermost layer consists of the existing bulkhead topped with a 2×8 ipe deck, connecting various docks and providing direct water access.

  • Weathering Steel Planters: Stepped corten steel planters mediate between the boardwalk and the elevated ground level, referencing industrial sheet pilings.

  • Cantilevered Decks and Drapes: The second floor is surrounded by cantilevered decks, wrapped in fixed ipe screens and operable canvas drapes that slide along a continuous track, offering adjustable privacy and protection from the elements.

Material Palette Reflecting Maritime Heritage

The materials chosen for Acton Cove House pay homage to the working harbor’s character:

  • Reclaimed Heart Pine Siding: 3×14 boards evoke the heavy timber bulkheads common in maritime structures.

  • Silicone Bronze Screws: Exposed fasteners draw from shipbuilding techniques.

  • Woven Rope and Sailcloth Details: These elements incorporate local craftsmanship into the home’s aesthetic.

These traditional materials are combined with modern insulation, glazing, and building systems, resulting in a high-performance, LEED-certified structure.

Interior-Exterior Connectivity

Large expanses of operable glass pocket into adjacent walls, seamlessly merging indoor and outdoor spaces. Interior linen drapes and roll shades provide additional layers of privacy and light control. This configurability allows the family to adapt the environment for various activities and weather conditions, extending their time spent outdoors.

Landscape Integration

The landscape design by Gregg Bleam complements the home’s layered architecture:

  • Corten Steel Site Walls: Supporting tall hornbeam hedges, these walls create minimalist garden spaces.

  • Granite Sett Parking Court: Flanked by bayberry hedges and London planetrees, the court offers a welcoming entrance.

  • Stepping Stone Paths: Leading through sweetbay magnolia groves to the front door, these paths enhance the site’s natural beauty.

  • Harborside Terraced Planters: Featuring native spartina marsh grass, these planters step down to the bulkhead, creating a dynamic, seasonally changing landscape.

Modern waterfront home illuminated at dusk with boat dock in foreground.
Photography © Michael Moran
Wood slat privacy screens on upper-level balconies of Acton Cove House.
Photography © Michael Moran
Side view of Acton Cove House with dock, plantings, and wood cladding.
Photography © Michael Moran
Interior with floating wooden stairs and view of the marina.
Photography © Michael Moran
Minimalist white kitchen interior with open shelving and natural wood island.
Photography © Michael Moran
Open-plan kitchen and living room facing the waterfront at Acton Cove House.
Photography © Michael Moran
Bright living room with canal view and sliding glass doors.
Photography © Michael Moran
Covered outdoor deck with seating area and marina view at Acton Cove House.
Photography © Michael Moran
Full daylight view of Acton Cove House on the waterfront with dock and boats.
Photography © Michael Moran

Posted by Bates Masi Architects

Bates Masi + Architects LLC is an award-winning, full-service architecture firm with over 60 years of experience rooted in New York City and the East End of Long Island. Renowned for its meticulous attention to materiality, craftsmanship, and environmental context, the firm delivers bespoke design solutions tailored to each client's unique needs and aspirations. The practice is known for its thoughtful integration of research across multiple disciplines to enrich the built environment and elevate daily life. Their diverse portfolio spans residential, commercial, hospitality, and institutional projects across the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean. Whether urban dwellings, schools, boutique hotels, or custom furniture, each project reflects the studio’s philosophy of design excellence and contextual sensitivity. Since 2003, Bates Masi has earned 243 design awards, with features in leading publications such as Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Interior Design, and Dwell. The firm was honored as one of Residential Architect Magazine’s "50 Architects We Love" and was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 2013. Their design legacy is documented in two monographs: Bespoke Home (2016) and Architecture of Place (currently available). Leadership Paul Masi, a native of Montauk and Harvard GSD alumnus, joined the firm in 1998 after working at Richard Meier & Partners. He brings a refined design sensibility rooted in modernist principles and contextual innovation. Harry Bates, the founding partner, studied architecture at North Carolina State University and began his career at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill before launching his own practice in New York City. In 1980, he relocated the firm to Southampton, and its current headquarters is in a custom-designed office in East Hampton.