Within walking distance of the beach, this Jersey Shore vacation home gives a Manhattan-based couple a coastal retreat with room for family and friends. The design balances the desire for ocean views with local zoning that limits residential construction to two stories. A second-floor living area, mezzanine, and roof deck make the most of the available views, while generous outdoor spaces extend the home’s living areas during the warmer months.

The house’s form reflects the organization of its spaces. A low, horizontal volume contains the bedrooms and bathrooms, while a larger volume above houses the shared living and kitchen areas. An offset stair tower connects these spaces to the ground level. Together, the volumes create a terraced composition with outdoor areas for lounging, dining, and gathering. Cedar siding connects the home’s modern form to the familiar character of a beach house.

At the heart of the house, the second-floor living area opens onto a sun deck and rises to a mezzanine above. Double-height windows bring in morning light and frame ocean views over neighboring rooftops. The more secluded mezzanine offers a quiet counterpoint to the gathering spaces below and leads to the roof deck, where the ocean views are most expansive.