Turkel Design’s Veil House pairs a sliding wood facade, expansive glazing, and precision prefabrication to create a serene retreat shaped by its coastal surroundings.

The home sits among the trees on the western edge of Martha’s Vineyard. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors on both sides of the home can be opened up to allow the ocean breezes to p
The movable wood screens transform the facade into a dynamic composition: opening one view across Vineyard Sound while screening another. In this way, they satisfy l
The "veils"—which give the home its Veil House name—are crafted from thermally modified hemlock
Having visited Martha’s Vineyard for many years, the clients understood its unique character. "The western edge of the Vineyard is known for its spectacular sunsets," says Joe
The wood screens slide beneath the deep roof overhang, introducing a flexible layer that shapes light, privacy, and the home’s relationship to the landscape
Sliding glass doors on both sides of the 2,820-square-foot, single-level home dissolve the boundary between inside and out, opening the living spaces to the surrounding landscape
The zone created between the screens and the glass provides an added "experiential dimension" to the home. "At times it is a buffer from the elements, at others it is an exterio
Custom white oak cabinetry designed and supplied by Turkel Design as part of the prefabricated package, reinforces the home’s warm, light material palette
Clerestory windows and retractable glass walls draw daylight deep into the interior, opening the central living space to a tranquil terrace and framed views of Vineyard Sound th
The open great room anchors the plan with a private primary suite to the east and a two-bedroom guest wing to the west. The arrangement creates a balance between shared spac
"Having worked in demanding building environments, we were able to offer an approach well suited to the complexities of building on this island," explains Turkel. "Our process r