Khanna Schultz’s Amagansett House Cultivates Quiet Contemplative Atmosphere

This article highlights Khanna Schultz’s net-positive-energy weekend house in Amagansett, the Hamptons. The house was designed for a philanthropist who spent decades living in Japan.

The project blends Japanese design principles with modern sustainability. It reimagines a quarter-acre site, preserving an existing pool and two mature crape myrtle trees.

Through careful massing, material selection, and daylight strategy, the house achieves a calm, efficient interior. It also connects the living spaces with the surrounding landscape.

Design Concept and Site Context

Set on a compact lot, the residence uses a two-level, L-shaped plan with a basement. The layout directs views and daylight from the front toward the back.

The façade features an opaque, black-stained exterior that gradually opens to the backyard and pool. This creates a quiet street presence while inviting light and connection inside.

Inspired by Japanese architecture and the idea of gradual revelation, the entry sequence includes a “metaphorical moat and bridge.” Two light wells bring daylight into the basement and enhance the arrival experience.

The landscape preserves mature trees and integrates the site’s ecology with the building’s form.

Architectural Form and Materials

The house is clad in thermally modified spruce stained black, giving it a refined silhouette. This material choice, paired with thoughtful massing, allows the interior to feel both compact and open.

The front elevation is intentionally opaque, while rear openings blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor living.

Interior planning focuses on precision and efficiency. Communal spaces and the primary suite are on the ground floor, bedrooms are upstairs, and a family room occupies the basement.

Joinery and finishes foster a calm atmosphere, with bleached-oak floors, light-filtering screens, and curated furniture referencing modernist masters.

Art and ceramic works from the client’s Japanese collection are integrated into the interiors. This reinforces the project’s cross-cultural dialogue and creates a living gallery that complements the architecture.

Sustainability and Systems

The design team prioritizes energy performance, achieving a net-positive-energy outcome. This is accomplished through on-site generation and high-efficiency systems.

A 23.25-kilowatt rooftop solar array produces excess energy for the grid. The house uses a geothermal heating and cooling system and an energy-recovery ventilation system.

These systems support year-round comfort while minimizing the ecological footprint. Landscaping enhances sustainability by using native plants to attract birds and pollinators and protecting existing vegetation.

Energy Systems and Environmental Impact

The solar installation and geothermal system work together with a well-insulated building envelope and low-velocity ventilation to reduce energy demand. The energy-recovery ventilation system provides fresh air with minimal energy loss, supporting a healthy indoor environment.

Interior Design and Cultural Integration

The interior emphasizes a calm, uncluttered atmosphere for daily living and contemplation. Japanese art and ceramics are integrated with modern furnishings, creating a culturally informed and functional environment.

Materials like bleached-oak floors and light-filtering screens enhance the sense of calm. The layout supports flexible living, with ground-floor public rooms for socializing and private areas upstairs for rest.

Iconic pieces, such as a George Nakashima dining set and a Finn Juhl lounge chair, add subtle character without overwhelming the minimalist design.

Outdoor Spaces and Landscape Strategy

The landscape design uses native planting to support local wildlife and attract birds and pollinators. The project retains the existing pool and ensures a smooth transition from indoor spaces to outdoor rooms and the yard.

By preserving established vegetation and adding new plantings thoughtfully, the environment remains sustainable and low-maintenance, fitting the Amagansett climate.

Project Team and Credits

Collaborative expertise across disciplines brought the project to life. The team aligned architectural form, structural integrity, landscape strategy, and construction execution.

• Khanna Schultz — design leadership and architectural integration (Robert Schultz, Veronica Patrick, Navajeet Khatri, Vrinda Khanna)
• Structural design by DiLandro Andrews
• Landscape architecture by Beitel Landscape Associates
• General contracting by Flanzer Construction

 
Here is the source article for this story: Khanna Schultz infuses House in Amagansett with “atmosphere of quiet contemplation”