The Cliffhanger House – Long Island, NY

DETAILS 

Architects: SAOTA and Cooper Robertson Partners 

Designer: Rafael de Cárdenas, Ltd

Photographer: Thomas Loof 

Exterior Cladding:
CUSTOM – Shou Sugi Ban Charred Accoya® Wood 
Species: Radiata Pine
FSC®-Certified: FSC® Mix 70%
Select Grade

Product Sizes (3)
Burnt On Face Only, Sealed All 4 Sides
Solid +/- 3/4″ Thick X +/- 5-3/8″ Wide X 6’ Lengths
Tongue And Groove (T&G)

Finished On Face Only, Sealed On Back & 2 Long Edges
Solid +/- 3/4″ Thick X +/- 5-3/8″ Wide X 6′-16′ Random Lengths
T&G

Finished On Face & 2 Long Edges, Sealed On Back
Solid +/- 1″ Thick X +/- 7-3/4” Wide X 6′-16′ Random Lengths
Surfaced 4 Sides (S4S)

Shingles:
CUSTOM – Shou Sugi Ban Charred Accoya® Wood
Species: Radiata Pine
FSC®-Certified: FSC® Mixed 70%
Burnt on Face Only
Unfinished
Solid +/-9/16” Thick (tapering) X +/- 6” to 6-1/4” Wide X 24” long (6” exposure) Rectangular Shingle

Screens:
CUSTOM – Shou Sugi Ban Charred Accoya® Wood
Species: Radiata Pine
FSC®-Certified: FSC® Mix 70%
Burnt And Sealed All 4 Sides
Solid +/- 1-1/2″ Thick X +/- 2″ Wide X 14’-16’ Lengths
S4S

Slats:
CUSTOM – Shou Sugi Ban Charred Accoya® Wood
Species: Radiata Pine
FSC®-Certified: FSC® Mix 70%
Burnt And Sealed All 4 Sides
Solid +/- 1-1/2″ Thick X +/- 2″ Wide X 14’-16’ Lengths
S4S

Gate:
CUSTOM – Shou Sugi Ban Charred Accoya®
Species: Radiata Pine
FSC® Certified: FSC® Mix 70%
Select Grade
Finished On Face And Two Long Edges – For Gate Application, Backs To Be Sealed On Site.
Solid +/- 3/4″ Thick X +/- 2-1/2” Wide X 8’-12’ Random Lengths *12′ Lengths
S4S

Flooring:
ACE – European White Oak
Original Cut – Character Grade
Prefinished With Matte Polyurethane, Voids Filled
Tongue & Groove, Endmatched, Microbeveled Edges And Ends
Engineered: 3/4″ Thick (6mm Wear Layer) X 7″ Wide X 2′-10′ Random Lengths

Stair Parts:
CUSTOM European White Oak Treads
Original Cut – Character Grade
Prefinished With Matte Polyurethane, Voids Filled
Finished On Face And Nose Only

Product Sizes (2)
3/4” Thick X 13” Deep (Glued Up For Depth – One Glue Seam)
Square Nose, Eased Edge

3/4” Thick X 12” Deep (Glued Up For Depth – One Glue Seam)
Square Nose, Eased Edge

CUSTOM European White Oak Risers
Original Cut – Character Grade
Prefinished With Matte Polyurethane, Voids Filled
Finished On Face Only
3/4” Thick X 6” High
S4S

CUSTOM European White Oak Noses
Original Cut – Character Grade
Prefinished With Matte Polyurethane, Voids Filled
Finished On Face And Nose Only
3/4” Thick X 7” Deep
Square Nose, Eased Edge
Grooved & Microbeveled Back Edge To Meet 3/4” Thick Flooring

Recognition: 
Elle Decor September 2024  

Perched dramatically above the Atlantic, The Cliffhanger House redefines coastal living on Eastern Long Island, NY. From the street, the 10,000-square-foot retreat appears as a discreet single story, but its waterfront facade unveils its full scale as it cascades toward the shoreline. Masterfully integrated into the natural topography, the three-tiered home was thoughtfully excavated into the bluff, maintaining a low profile that respects the coastal landscape. The exterior is wrapped in custom Charred Accoya cladding. The varied applications of wooden slats, screens, and shingles create a dynamic interplay of textures. Inside the home, ACE European White Oak flooring flows seamlessly throughout, unifying the interiors with its refined grain pattern. This carefully curated material choice strengthens the home’s cohesive design while providing a warm contrast to its striking coastal surroundings.

CUSTOM Charred Accoya® is burnt in the traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban style and designed for exterior wall cladding. This charred finish adheres more effectively to modified wood than standard softwood species, which tend to flake over time. The process enhances the wood’s breathability while providing a natural, sustainable, and non-toxic alternative to chemically treated wood—offering durability without harming people or the environment.  

ACE European White Oak is prefinished with matte polyurethane and available in select or character grade. Its blonde-beige tones offer versatility, complementing various interior design styles.

Known for its innovative design and attention to detail, SAOTA is a globally acclaimed architecture firm with projects across six continents. By integrating function, form, and advanced technology, the firm continues to create distinctive and high-performance architectural solutions.   

Cooper Robertson is a New York-based architecture and urban design firm known for its work on projects like Battery Park City and the Gateway Arch Museum. The firm has earned national recognition for its impactful work and continues to shape cities and cultural spaces. 

Rafael de Cárdenas, Ltd is a New York-based design firm specializing in multidisciplinary creative direction, including residential and commercial interiors, architecture, furniture design, art advisory, and brand development.   

Thomas Loof is a Danish photographer known for his architecture and portrait photography work. He has worked with esteemed clients such as Architectural Digest, Tiffany & Co., and Coca-Cola, capturing iconic figures like Giorgio Armani and Diane von Furstenberg while traveling the world to pursue his craft.