Cornfield Point Residence

Old Saybrook, Connecticut

2014

As is common with properties on Long Island Sound, FEMA dictated that the first floor of this waterfront structure be elevated to avoid flood damage. Because wave-action wasn’t an issue at this site, FEMA only required that louvers be installed at the bottom of basement walls to allow flood waters to flow through without exerting pressure on walls. FEMA also dictated that measures be taken to resist hurricane-force winds on the building frame. 

Because the living spaces are elevated, allowances were made for a future elevator. The shaft is designed to the elevator’s specifications but indicated that floors joist be hung on joist hangers at each level so that they could easily be removed should the elevator ever be needed. In the interim, the 5’x5’ spaces were used as a walk-in coat closet on the main living level and a walk-in linen closet on the upper level.