This award-winning Sandwich home offers exceptional beach access and breathtaking views.
by Lisa Cavanaugh
Photographs by Dan Cutrona
When a Boston area couple came across an older cottage set on the dunes of Sandwich’s Spring Hill Beach, they knew it was their perfect spot. They hired Salt Architecture and the award-winning team at The Valle Group to update the property with a new year-round vacation home for beachside living and entertaining.
The Valle Group, a family-owned residential construction company in East Falmouth, was able to effectively position the home on the relatively small lot within the confines of several town-set height restrictions and requirements. The builder utilized a California-inspired gradual shed roof, which combines elements of cedar shakes with white acrylic Cembrit panels for a distinctive exterior appearance.
With nods to both an established Cape Cod aesthetic and the couple’s more modern leanings, the home offers a dynamic sense of openness. “The entire first floor is essentially one expansive living area,” says Christian Valle of The Valle Group. “The distinct rooms within are subtly defined by their furnishings and wall finishes,” he adds. An enormous, fully retractable Loewen door seamlessly connects the indoors with the large deck and Cape Cod Bay scenery beyond.
The team also employed steel frame construction and clever placement of plumbing and mechanical systems to preserve the spectacular views on both floors. Reached via an architectural staircase of smooth oak plank treads mounted to a central steel rail, the primary suite has its own deck from which to view the surf. An additional second-floor deck provides another idyllic outdoor living area, and the efficiency of the overall design created enough space for a workout room with ocean views.
Impressively, the newly constructed house garnered not just one but two Prism awards from the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston. It won Silver for “Best Single-Family Home under 2,000 Square Feet” and Gold for “Best Living Area in a Private Residence.”
But the greatest victory belongs to the homeowners, who have settled into their relaxed Cape Cod lifestyle and are now enjoying their luxurious, livable space.
