Bridgehampton basement transformed: a family’s pandemic project unleashes a subterranean sanctuary

When a pandemic forced a family to relocate their Bridgehampton summer house to a full-time residence, a largely unused basement became the focus of a radical redesign – a surprising transformation orchestrated by architects Peter Pennoyer and Katie Ridder.

From dormant space to dazzling grotto

The brief was simple: ‘Surprise us.’ Pennoyer and Ridder, the duo behind the family’s main house, embarked on a year-long construction project, living upstairs while concealing the evolving space beneath. What emerged wasn't a typical basement, but a deeply layered and unexpected sanctuary, reflecting the diverse desires of each family member.

The son craved a private zone – a ‘hangout’ with friends, a space for gaming, and an escape from parental oversight. His mother envisioned a creative retreat, a haven for artistic pursuits and quiet contemplation. Ridder notes, ‘She’s very artistic and gets very excited by detail and by craft.’

A sculptural intervention

Pennoyer tackled the challenge of darkness, excavating a significant portion of the building’s foundation and opening it to a sunken courtyard. This innovative design incorporated a custom bronze fountain by sculptor Josh Dow, curving away from the property line to avoid a stark, linear appearance. The result is a space that feels both grounded and remarkably expansive.

Underwater echoes

But the transformation didn't stop at the courtyard. Ridder carried the submerged aesthetic indoors, employing bas-relief plasterwork by Heather Personett to mimic coral formations on blue-painted walls. A terrazzo floor, painstakingly assembled from salvaged marble, adds a raw, archaeological texture, as if unearthed from the depths. Stephen Miotto’s original mosaic, depicting a Roman-inspired undersea scene, further amplifies the illusion. ‘We wanted it to feel underground but underwater,’ Ridder explains.

A symphony of materials and craft

The space is a testament to the breadth of artistic talent involved. Chuck Hettinger’s jungle mural, rendered in shimmering silver leaf and hand-brushed aluminum foil, wraps a curved banquette inspired by Stockholm’s Scandia Cinema. Carved wooden animals – an owl, a parrot, and a monkey – add a whimsical touch, each sketched by Eric Kirk, Pennoyer’s architect. The craft room, designed to fulfill the homeowner’s specific needs, is a testament to meticulous planning, featuring rattan cabinetry and dedicated workspaces for both the husband and wife.

Sensory retreat

Even a sensory deprivation float tank, a surprising addition championed by the clients, finds its place within this extraordinary basement. ‘We were overloaded by too many family senses during COVID,’ Ridder jokes, referring to the bespoke Bisazza-tiled nook that offers a much-needed refuge.

A team effort

This project demanded a truly collaborative effort, bringing together more artisans than either designer had ever assembled on a single commission. Mosaic artists, sculptors, muralists, terrazzo specialists, and bronze foundries converged to realize this ambitious vision. The end result is a space that defies categorization – a basement that is, unequivocally, anything but.

“There’s no sense when you go down there that you’re in a basement,” Ridder adds. “You’re constantly surprised.”