Project Highlight: The XO House
Simple in name yet rich in meaning, the XO House expresses a playful geometry and layered design logic. Inspired by the childhood game of tic-tac-toe, the residence is organized around an elegant grid of intersecting “bars” and “circles.” Within this loose framework, a series of nature pockets—courtyards, patios, an elevated terrace, and a sunken conversation pit—occupy the “O” spaces. Each one varies in scale, elevation, and intimacy, creating opportunities for connection, reflection, and outdoor living throughout the property.
A Dialogue Between Architecture and Landscape
The XO House embodies the Space & Mark philosophy: architecture should move in rhythm with its surroundings. Every aspect of the design seeks to capture nature’s tranquility while creating a dynamic, livable home.
On the first floor, two long programmatic bars run the length of the site, positioning the most active spaces toward the rear of the property to provide privacy, natural light, and serenity. The second floor stretches across the width of the lot, offering expansive views and creating a balanced relationship with the site’s gentle topography. Together, these forms establish a subtle dialogue between openness and enclosure, presence and retreat.
This thoughtful configuration allows the indoor and outdoor realms to coexist effortlessly, ensuring that light, air, and landscape flow through the home as naturally as its occupants do.
Nature Pockets: The Heart of the XO House
A defining feature of the XO House is its integration of nature pockets—transitional outdoor spaces that serve as extensions of the interior. Each one is distinct, yet together they form a cohesive narrative of movement and pause.
The sunken conversation pit creates an intimate, sheltered gathering space perfect for evening fires and relaxed connection.
The elevated terrace frames panoramic views of the property, offering a sense of elevation and escape.
Quiet courtyards and patios punctuate the plan, infusing the interiors with filtered light and glimpses of greenery throughout the day.
These design gestures invite residents and guests to experience the landscape from multiple perspectives, reflecting the home’s mission: to foster calm, grounded living within a contemporary architectural framework.
Modern Luxury Rooted in Summit, NJ
Located in the heart of Summit, New Jersey, the XO House reflects the sophistication and modernity that define this sought-after community. With its volumetric clarity, material richness, and natural balance, it exemplifies the very best of luxury residential architecture in the region.
For Space & Mark, every project is an opportunity to merge architectural innovation with personal storytelling—to craft spaces that feel both elevated and deeply lived in.
Discover the XO House and Beyond
The XO House is more than a residence—it’s a modern retreat that celebrates the beauty of nature through deliberate, human-centered design. Its interplay of structure and softness, geometry and landscape, sets a new benchmark for custom home design in Summit, NJ.
Stay tuned as Space & Mark continues to share new projects that redefine what it means to live in harmony with nature, balance, and design excellence.
