In 2020, everything changed. With everything shut down, the only place to go was home. One couple, seeking enough space to gather with family and eventually retire, embarked on a project to make that dream a reality. With the help of Zoom, FedEx, and a talented pair of architectural designers, their vision came to life in just 15 months. 

The design of their home was centered around creating spaces perfect for family gatherings, and the finished result earned the architects an AIA Honor Award in the Small Firms category from the Boston Society of Architects in March 2025. “The Point House” isn’t the first house to win an award for the team at Studio Hearth Architecture and Design, the architects who brought this vision to life. 

Erin Hunter and her husband, Joseph Combs, were no strangers to architectural design when they founded Studio Hearth in 2018. According to Erin, the firm specializes in full-service conceptual design, construction, and interior design. Their first project, “Warren’s Point,” earned them the Silver Medal for Best Single Family Home and the Design Star Award for Residential New Construction at Rhode Island Monthly’s Design Awards. 

That home reflects Studio Hearth’s signature style — designs that connect fluidly to the outdoors. 

Erin and Joseph both worked full-time jobs while completing the “Warren’s Point” project. After its success, and fueled by the referrals they received, they both quit their full-time jobs and dedicated themselves fully to their architectural design company. “It took three years of working on that house while holding full-time jobs, but when we were both able to quit and focus on the referrals we received afterward, it was an amazing feeling,” Erin shared. 

Spaces designed for family gatherings 

The vision for “The Point House” aligned perfectly with Erin and Joseph’s passion for connecting indoor spaces with the outdoors. Erin explained, “We take a holistic approach to design,” Erin shared. This means utilizing natural surroundings to inform the blending of the indoor spaces with the outdoors.

Though they take this holistic approach to design, they always base everything off of what the client’s vision is for their space. Erin shared, “It usually takes almost three years with most clients, and we develop strong relationships with them.” However, for this particular project, Erin and Joseph had to approach things a bit differently than usually, due to the pandemic. 

Keeping the owners’ vision of creating spaces for family gatherings in mind, Erin and Joseph used their expertise to craft a seamless flow of natural gathering spots throughout the home, mostly via email. “Planning during COVID, the bulk of the design plans were communicated via email, phone calls, and Zoom,” Erin explained. “Given the circumstances, it went well,” she added.

The owners were looking ahead to retirement within the next ten to 15 years and wanted a secondary home to open their doors to their family, especially since their four adult children live across the United States and visit often. 

Three schematic floor plans of the home were developed, based off of the owners’ desires, and after creating small physical models, they were mailed to the clients. “We made three physical models and shipped them via FedEx around Christmas time,” Erin recalled. “From there, we combined elements from all three and worked them into a fourth concept.” 

The fourth concept takes shape 

The roof was a key element in the overall design concept of the home. Erin explained, “The exterior shape was designed to make it feel small from the outside while maximizing space on the inside.” The second floor is partly integrated into the roof, a design detail common in older homes where the roof sits lower over the first floor.

The roof was also built to withstand the elements of the area. Erin shared, “The standing seam metal roof is built to withstand the harsh elements, including wind and salt air, typical of its location.” The construction team from Messier Construction in Tiverton experienced the full force of the wind while working on the home in the winter months, even having to pause work briefly. This made the decision to build a roof capable of withstanding such conditions all the more essential. 

The home is designed with sustainability in mind, as well and features solar panels on the roof. It also has an all-electric, environmentally friendly setup, and is airtight to conserve heating energy. “We used minimal spray foam and opted for mineral wool, which is more eco-friendly,” Erin explained. The HVAC and water heater systems are electric heat pumps, and an energy recovery ventilator brings in fresh air from outside, ensuring the indoor air always feels fresh. 

The design emphasizes spaces for gathering, with open, airy, and light-filled areas perfect for larger gatherings. “There’s also living spaces that create opportunities for privacy,” explained Erin. The living spaces offer a balance of privacy and connection, with a kitchen that's open to the living areas but slightly separated, creating an L-shaped flow that allows for easy movement without feeling cramped, according to Erin. 

Large sliding doors open onto a deck, making it ideal for cookouts and mingling during warmer months, blending indoor and outdoor living. The basement includes a wet bar, providing a cozy spot for rainy or cold days to enjoy activities like ping pong or movie nights — another perfect space for family gatherings. 

From the sunroom and the library, both the upper and lower levels offer stunning views of the sunrise and sunset, with nearly a 360-degree panoramic view of the ocean —  harmoniously blending the holistic design of the architectural team with the owners’ vision for the home as a welcoming space for family gatherings.