Veil House Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Veil House is a single-level, 2,820-square-foot summer residence designed by Turkel Design on the northwest edge of Martha’s Vineyard. Responding to the clients’ brief—a physician and a visual artist seeking both tranquil retreat and creative space—the design addresses stringent local regulations restricting glass coverage on ocean-facing façades to fifty percent. Rather than enlarging the footprint to maximize openings, the design incorporates a series of sliding screens, or “veils,” which shift to selectively reveal windows and maintain compliance while creating a dynamic, adaptable façade. The veils are positioned along the perimeter beneath a deep roof overhang, forming a sheltered walkway and mediating the relationship between the house and its sensitive coastal setting. Major rooms are aligned along this edge to frame views and provide access to a linear stone garden bordered by native black oaks. The interior is organized so that guest and primary bedrooms bookend the plan, with central living spaces encouraging communal gathering and privacy where needed. The result is a contemporary, modern dwelling that sits quietly within its site, negotiating between openness and enclosure through thoughtful spatial layering and precise detailing.