Husband and wife team Marc and Anna Cléjan, along with partner Mark Thackrah are creating something new with their Hamptons-based firm Modern NetZero. “Buyers are starting to focus on sustainable features when buying homes. There has been a steady increase in demand, and we are seeing many other builders start to include sustainable features in their homes as well,” Marc Cléjan explains. The firm has completed 13 homes so far, and Cléjan continues, “We are presently focused on the Hamptons market to perfect our designs and business model and then we expect to look at other markets in the coming years.” He says that customers don’t typically start their search looking for a net-zero or sustainable home, but when they see the features offered in a Modern NetZero home, their eyes are opened.
For this house on Laura’s Lane in East Hampton, the firm utilized a challenging L-shaped lot. Cléjan shares that the lot had been on the market for some time with no takers, due to its awkward shape. “We took advantage of the unusual shape and created a reverse “L” house. The lower-level volume faces one section, with the upper volume facing the other section. In that way, the house makes full use of the lot.” They incorporated a large, covered patio/living area located below the cantilevered upper volume, which, Cléjan explains, is most important for today’s lifestyle. “We created an outdoor living room, which allows people to enjoy the outside with all the comforts of being inside. All our houses are focused on connecting people with the outdoors, which we accomplish with clean simple volumes incorporating tall, soffit-less ceilings, large glass windows and doors, and simple natural landscaping.”
This sustainable masterpiece clad in glass, cedar and stucco sits at the end of a long, crushed stone driveway. A custom, floating steel staircase punctuates the open floor plan, and there is an immediate connection between the living space and the outdoors, where the southwestern orientation takes full advantage of glorious beach sunsets.
On the first floor, a modern gas fireplace warms up the living room, and the generous dining area is ideal for entertaining. Anna Cléjan creates the interiors for the team, working with a bevy of luxury brands and staging companies like 100 Design Style to create a beautiful, finished product. The state-of-the-art kitchen features custom cabinetry by Bilotta, low-maintenance Silestone countertops, and appliances by Liebherr, Bertazzoni and Bosch. A flexible, first-floor junior suite can double as a den.
The outdoors beckons with a mahogany sun deck which leads to a large, covered porch complete with a gas fire bowl and plenty of room for al fresco dining and lounging. The outdoor space overlooks the expansive backyard and gunite, saltwater pool. On the second floor, the primary suite is situated at one end of the house for maximum privacy, and includes a spa-like bath and spacious his and hers closets.
In addition, there are two large en-suite bedrooms as well as a full laundry area. On the lower level, an additional bedroom suite is perfect for weekend guests. The lower level also includes a large media room, wine storage area and plenty of extra space for exercise equipment.
Cléjan explains, “Net-zero is an official certification that is achieved by designing and engineering the home to generate as much energy as it consumes, thereby resulting in a net-zero carbon footprint. This means no annual energy bills for electric, heating and cooling.” The home employs geothermal heat, solar energy, efficient mechanical systems and passive solar, all of which radically reduce operating costs without any sacrifice to comfort. Cléjan reveals that this approach can save the homeowner approximately $15,000 per year in operating costs as well as an additional $30,000 savings in federal tax credits. All of this makes a Modern NetZero home stylish, comfortable, cost-effective, and a good investment in the future of the planet.
Photography by Lena Yaremenko.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.