There is no shortage of colossal poolside palaces in the Hamptons — it is, after all, where many of New York’s rich and famous go to party and play during the dog days of summer. But for those who live in the area full-time — like the growing family of this Montauk lake house — they need homes that are as functional as they are pretty.

Take a quick escape to the lakefront property

When we say organic here, we don’t just mean the natural materials used throughout the house; we’re referring to the fact that the project developed organically in response to the homeowners’ seven-acre, East Hamptons lot and existing house. Built around 1982, the original structure was in dire need of a renovation. Robert Young Architecture and Interiors was committed to reusing as much of this house as possible, but wasn’t sure if a restoration would be more economical than constructing a new house. Property surveys showed that the house was closer to the lot’s picturesque kettle pond than current zoning would allow, so building a new structure would compromise privacy and the water views. From there, the Kettle Hole House was born amidst the lot’s abundance of white pine trees.

See how the architects transformed the existing home into a cozy, contemporary retreat