Local architects win gold for a Plymouth home project with sweeping views of sea and sky.
By Jennifer H. McInerney
Photography by Abigayle Grattan
The team at Duxbury-based Lineal Architects and Builders recently designed and built a dream home overlooking Plymouth Harbor for a South Shore couple. Seeking ocean vistas and outdoor living opportunities, the couple envisioned a home that would be spacious enough to host extended family, yet comfortable and restful for just the two of them. Ben and Alyssa LaMora, Lineal’s cofounders, eagerly accepted the challenge and accompanied the prospective homeowners on their hunt for a private lot with the perfect water views.
“It is helpful for us to be involved from the beginning, so that we can understand the homeowners’ vision and can bring that to fruition,” says Ben LaMora.
After an extensive search, the team discovered a parcel on a private lane, overlooking Plymouth Harbor. Little did they know that upon completion this rewarding home project would garner a 2025 BRICC Award—winning Gold for “Best New Single-Family Home” in the $1 million to $2.5 million category—from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, an organization that recognizes excellence in the design-build industry.
From the outset, the design of the home drew inspiration from the natural landscape—and, in this case, the seascape.
“The couple wanted to be able to see the ocean from nearly every room and feel connected to nature,” says LaMora. “The design is essentially an interpretation of the way they wanted to enjoy day-to-day life in their home.”
Despite the property’s obvious natural beauty, building a new home on the site posed specific permitting and engineering obstacles that the architects had to overcome. Situating the house on the lot to fully capture the harbor’s splendor proved to be the project’s initial hurdle. Due to the town’s strict coverage and setback regulations, the Lineal team had to approach the design creatively. They drafted multiple iterations until they came up with the final footprint and site orientation, which comply with Plymouth’s zoning restrictions and the homeowners’ wishes.
After clearing that hurdle, the work of building the couple’s 4,000-square-foot dream home began. To maximize the everchanging ocean views, the main floor features a wall of Marvin windows that stretches the entire length of the water-facing side, including a central section that reaches to the top of the 24-foot vaulted ceilings.
To create the towering window feature wall, the team had to devise a structural solution that provided both safety and lateral stability without interrupting the views. They engineered a custom tall moment frame to brace the ocean-facing façade and support the extensive glazing.
“We were given a great opportunity with this view,” LaMora notes. “With this window tower, we were able to frame the ocean view so that you feel connected to it.”
The expansive great room seamlessly blends the kitchen, living, and dining areas, which are bright and airy thanks to the vaulted ceilings and abundant windows. Through these large-scale windows, the ocean appears to be within arm’s reach—as though it’s an extension of the design.
Fulfilling the couple’s outdoor living aspirations, a set of sliding glass doors leads to a “layered outdoor environment,” which consists of a pool with integrated spa, a StruXure pergola, and a terrace ideal for entertaining and relaxing beside the ocean waves.
The exterior presents a traditional New England aesthetic, with its cedar shingles and steep rooflines. In contrast, the interior features a contemporary layout that flows easily throughout the interconnected spaces and seems to encompass the water. The furnishings and materials complement the design: Sawyer Mason wide-plank flooring, light wood Belmont cabinetry, herringbone tile, and natural stone.
While the great room satisfies the couple’s request for ample entertaining space, the “tucked away” bedroom suites and sitting room provide privacy for family and guests. The home includes four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms accessed by a Horner Millwork staircase intentionally situated at the back of the home to maintain the open sightlines toward the harbor.
“In every project, we try to find the balance between what the homeowners are looking for and what’s inherent in the site,” LaMora explains. “It starts with questions and finding the answers, and the design grows out of that process. It’s basically just problem-solving through a creative lens.”
Given the impressive results, it’s no wonder this project won gold from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod.
“We’re incredibly honored and proud to receive this recognition from our peers in the industry. It means so much to us,” says LaMora. “We’ve learned so much from the organization and really enjoy being members.”
For additional information, visit linealinc.com.
