FS 5 Montauk

On a quiet Montauk lot, a striking figure is emerging — a modern timber box home that delights in light, shadow, and movement. Designed and built by BuildLabs, this 2,521 sqft residence uses structure and detail to create moments that are both surprising and meditative.

At first glance the home reads as a clean, single volume, but as the day moves, so does its face. Wood slat screens wrap portions of the exterior, filtering sunlight into ever‑changing patterns. These screens aren’t surface decoration; they modulate light and view, letting the interior feel both open to its surroundings and comfortable within itself.

Underneath, the structure is grounded in thoughtful material logic. Engineered glulam creates a framework that carries long spans and lets spaces flow. Inside, daylight plays across surfaces, tracking the sun’s path and giving simple rooms a sense of movement. Moments of shadow and warmth become part of the architecture itself.

The plan favors clarity over fuss. Rooms are oriented to capture light, while transitional spaces — hallways, thresholds, corners — are treated as opportunities, not leftovers. Timber is celebrated, not hidden: ceilings, walls, and details work together so the material speaks in volume rather than ornament.

FS‑5 is an exploration in contrast: openness calibrated by screening, structure made visible, and a quiet modern retreat that comes alive with subtle shifts of light and shadow. It’s a reminder that architecture can be both refined and unexpectedly playful — with mass timber playing the lead role.