The Shelter Island house is a re-interpretation of the fisherman's saltbox cottage, with its box-like shape and long pitched roof. In this contemporary, sustainable version, the saltbox is sheared; that is, the second floor has been pushed forward to create a small overhang in the front and a balcony in the rear. The windows—from large openings to narrow slits—explode the symmetry. The rear roof supports the photovoltaic system that powers and heats the house. Following the slope of the site, the ground floor has an open plan that changes levels between the front of the house, which includes the entry foyer and library/guest room, and the living/dining/kitchen area in the rear. The artist's studio on the second-floor has a soaring ceiling and large windows with northern exposure. The master bedroom opens to the rear balcony, and is connected to the study. The exterior is clad in Alaskan yellow cedar and gray stucco.