This oceanfront residence in Guilford, Connecticut, was designed by Arbonies King Vlock, P.C. around the principle of Shakkei, the centuries-old Japanese concept of the “borrowed landscape.” The design seeks to move beyond the constraints of man-made space and connect the home with the expansive natural world beyond.
Mulberry Point House
Guilford, CT
Product
Application
Architect
Arbonies King Vlock, Pc
Oceanfront Connecticut Home Designed Around the Landscape
A Seasonal Porch Extends the Home Toward the Waterfront
The upper level of the renovated home contains bedrooms connected by a combined living, dining, and kitchen area. Clerestory windows follow the slope of the roof, visually connecting the bedrooms to the central living space. Porches run the length of the waterfront façade on both levels, extending the home's outdoor living areas.
The most memorable space is a ground-level “seasonal porch,” described by Arbonies King Vlock principal Sandra Vlock as “an airy, flexible and crisply finished living space.”
SL70 Folding Glass Walls Create Uninterrupted Ocean Views
Five fully retractable NanaWall SL70 aluminum-framed, thermally broken folding glass wall systems were incorporated into the south- and west-facing sides of the seasonal porch. The systems extend the living space onto the deck and patio while opening the home to the waterfront.
With 15 opening panels running nearly uninterrupted across the façades, the folding glass walls create broad views of the ocean and surrounding landscape.
Folding Glass Walls Connect the Home with the Coastal Landscape
Before specifying NanaWall for the Guilford Beach House, the design team briefly considered aluminum-clad wood windows like those used throughout the rest of the home. For the seasonal living area, however, the team was set on NanaWall from the beginning.
Architect Louann Heft, LEED AP BD&C, explains:
“Few manufacturers offer the folding wall system's flexibility, performance and ease of use.”
Connecticut Cottages & Gardens described the architecture as connecting so closely to its setting that it becomes difficult to tell where the house ends and the landscape begins. The NanaWall SL70 system helps create this effect by opening the enclosed living space directly to the Connecticut coastline.
The glass walls also create a sophisticated and modern take on the traditional low-lying coastal cottage while preserving the home's ocean views.
SL70 Thermal Performance for the Connecticut Coast
The SL70 aluminum-framed folding glass walls and matching transoms can be tightly closed for energy efficiency and weather protection. Thermally broken frames and high-performance glazing help reduce energy use and improve occupant comfort, particularly along the cool and windy Northeast coastline.
Ease of operation and security were also important considerations. A floor-supported running system helps the panels slide and fold smoothly while distributing their weight evenly. Multi-point locking and deadbolt hardware provide additional security when the folding glass walls are closed.
As architect Sandra Vlock explains:
“Our ambition as architects for this home was not simply to frame the view but to become one with the landscape. The NanaWall system achieved this in one elegant and dramatic gesture. It defines the project and the experience of living in this remarkable place.”
What Our Customers Have to Say
River House Retreat
For homeowners who frequently entertain family, friends, and business associates, transforming the great room to host 120 people was a key priority. Opting for a cero sliding door, the space now facilitates an indoor-outdoor space.
Eagle Construction
Eagle Construction incorporates NanaWall folding glass walls across its homes to create flexible indoor-outdoor living spaces that maximize natural light, expansive views, and modern luxury.
“We are the talk of the lake due to our NanaWall. Oddly enough, we open it frequently all year long, as we just can’t get enough of the outdoors that our NanaWall provides. It was such an economical and pleasant surprise to have no heat loss in the winter as well as no heat gain in the summer months.”
— Homeowner, Lake Lucerne Cabin
