For a luxury hospitality group, Modellus Novus completed a proposal for a 25-key ryokan-inspired hotel situated along the northeastern seaboard of the United States. The design defines luxury through simplicity and directly ties the architecture to the experience of the surrounding landscape. A deliberate mix of utility and comfort, the buildings are a tool for drawing attention to the changing conditions of the coastal landscape: rammed earth walls formed from local soil, as well as unsealed timber elements, develop a patina with the salt air and breeze; outdoor circulation creates an awareness of climate, topography, and the smells of nearby flora; operable architectural screens allow guests to react to the position of the sun and direction of the wind; and individual outdoor soaking tubs provide a meditative space in which to quietly observe the changing horizon and windswept dunes.

Distributed over two complementary buildings, amenities include guest suites with private exterior spaces, a 75-seat restaurant, health and wellness facilities, a natural outdoor pool, and direct access to pristine beachfront, sand dunes, and forest. Meant to be used through all four seasons, the architecture of the hotel supports a sense of do-it-yourself, casual adventure that is a respite from urban life, while also facilitating privacy and comfort for guests during their stay.