Upside Down on Figure 8

This house on Figure 8, and island destination in coastal North Carolina, was built by Matt Benson, at Arcade. The location’s strict zoning laws—intended to protect the shore’s fragile ecosystem—mean that, like many of the houses here, it’s elevated off the ground, making for an unconventional layout but spectacular views. The homeowners are an active, close-knit family who love to host, so our mission was to create warm, welcoming gathering spaces and living areas that feel connected but separate. We nodded to the 1970s (when Figure 8 was founded) in architectural elements like warm wood louvers and made every square foot super functional, turning this into the perfect getaway.