A new life for the Albee Foundation Barn

In Montauk, on the eastern tip of Long Island, TenBerke has completed the renewal  of the Barn, the building that for over sixty years has hosted the artist residencies of the Edward F. Albee Foundation.

Through a targeted structural intervention and a careful spatial reorganization, the project revitalizes and expands the building while preserving its historical and symbolic identity.

Albee Foundation, a space for art

The Edward F. Albee Foundation was founded in 1963 by American playwright Edward Albee with the aim of offering writers, artists, and creatives a quiet, distraction-free workspace. The foundation continues to pursue a clear vision rooted in its founder’s values, driven by a commitment to supporting creativity, especially for those who need it most.

At the heart of the complex is The Barn – so called because it originally housed a horse stable built in the 1920s. Gradually transformed into a residence, the building has become one of the foundation’s most iconic elements.

TenBerke’s intervention responds to the need to upgrade the building’s 300 square meters, enabling the foundation to expand its activities. Alongside the renovation of the existing structure, the project also includes a new 130-square-meter cottage, conceived as a residence for the property’s caretaker.

The aim was to transform a seasonal retreat into a facility capable of hosting artists year-round, while preserving the building’s evocative form and the informal, contemplative atmosphere that defines the residency experience.

A renewed space

The project began with the building’s timber frame: stripped of its finishes, the envelope was structurally reinforced, insulated, and restored to a clear, essential legibility. The original scissor trusses have been left exposed, maintaining continuity with the site’s construction heritage. The external profile was refined to improve the flow of light and air, replacing small dormers with new openings.

The interior spaces have been thoroughly reconfigured. The attic, now fully habitable, accommodates the artists’ bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, alongside a shared library housing books and records once belonging to Edward Albee.

On the ground floor, an expanded communal kitchen opens outward through large glazed surfaces, becoming the primary gathering space for residents. Particular attention has been given to accessibility, with the introduction of a new elevator connecting the building’s levels.

The choice of materials – primarily wood and concrete, selected for their durability – fully reflects the project’s ethos. The intervention also extends to the landscape: existing wetlands have been preserved and integrated with native plant species, improving the site’s ecological performance while safeguarding its original atmosphere.

L’intervento di TenBerke si inserisce consapevolmente nella cronologia costruttiva di uno spazio dal forte carattere simbolico: il complesso consolida così la propria identità di luogo della creazione, incarnando e ampliando la missione del suo fondatore.

TenBerke’s intervention positions itself consciously within the architectural timeline of a place with strong symbolic value. The complex thus reinforces its identity as a place of creation, embodying and expanding the mission of its founder.