The American architectural firm AF has restored the iconic “Stag House,” a unique wooden residence originally designed by Andrew Geller in 1968, located near East Hampton Spring. Geller is renowned for his series of playful and whimsical vacation homes on Long Island. Over time, subsequent owners altered the house’s original quirky features, replacing them with more conventional architectural elements. This restoration project aims to return the mid-20th century cottage to its original charm while integrating modern comforts.
Using the original cabin drawings as a guide, AF Architecture removed unnecessary additions made by previous owners and restored original materials to bring the wooden cabin back to its former glory, as requested by the client. A new raised deck was added to the west facade of the Deer Antlers House, enhancing privacy. The triangular wooden staircase tucked at the terrace’s edge complements the cottage’s original aesthetic. The architects also highlighted previously unused spaces beneath the new deck by framing them with the original armrest details from the vacation home.
This restoration features an exquisitely detailed lounge inside Geller’s signature “owl eye” window and replaces cold gypsum board interiors with warm, fragrant cedar wood. A poorly placed bathroom on the east facade, which faced a narrow path, was removed. Instead, the original first-floor bathroom was reconfigured into two fully functional bathrooms, improving the home’s layout and usability.
As an environmentalist, Geller believed that houses should occupy no more than 20% of their site area, emphasizing a harmonious relationship with nature, explains AF Architecture.
Project Information:
Project Name: Deer Antlers House
Original Architect: Andrew Geller
Renovation Architect: AF Architecture
General Contractor: Robert Christensen
Location: East Hampton, New York, USA
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