An architectural firm created by brothers William and Richard Tagland is designing bold and unique housing on New Jersey’s Long Beach Island. From their office window in Harvey Cedars, the Taglands can see this home and several others they’ve designed.

One-Of-A-Kind Dream Home

William and Richard Tagland help clients
build homes that “liberate, uplift and unbind”

The 32-foot-high, curved waterfront wall of windows, sinuous interior balcony over the great room, and rooftop deck with bay to ocean views found on Jerry and Fran Cleary’s summer home on Long Beach Island, N.J., epitomize the custom home designs by Studio Tagland Architecture of nearby Harvey Cedars.

William, 34, and Richard Tagland, 33, are taking Long Beach Island and the architectural world by storm. Stretching the design envelope are their fresh, new ideas — boat like curves, balconies with cantilevered "bowsprits," tilted walls, stair towers, massive window walls, wild roof angles, whimsical details and rooftop turrets that push zoning limits. If another architect copies an idea, they move on to new ones.

"Liberating, uplifting, unbound," the Taglands call their work. "Liberating" because it invites clients to test the boundaries of their expectations; uplifting by creating spaces that inspire the soul; unbound by convention, age or expectation — respecting tradition, but unshackled by it," says Bill Tagland, principal architect of the 11-member firm. "My youth is my asset, for I see only possibilities, not limitations."

"Our clients are visionaries who want their home to be unique — totally, unequivocally personal," says Richard, project manager, who — like his brother — holds a degree in architecture from Illinois Institute of Technology. "Most want informal surroundings where their families can gather and relax. We start with their desires, needs, dreams, even fantasies, and create magic; designs from traditional to avant-garde that thrill, not just satisfy, our clients."

On a project, Bill meets with clients and designs the building — including all details ("making sure it is as economical as possible") — and does the structural planning. The firm’s draftsmen increasingly use Computer-Aided Design to draw the plans, particularly on commercial and public buildings.

Richard builds a cardboard model before final customer approval, then works with clients and builders throughout construction. (Some clients also hire their own liaison.)

"We were delighted with how the Tagland’s remodeled our former beach house, and we felt they could handle the challenge of our narrow lot," the Clearys say in explanation of why they hired Studio Tagland.

Their five-bedroom house on Breezy Point looks traditional from the cul-de-sac: wide entry stairs, shingled two-story exterior, and a roof with dormers. From the water, the 110-foot-long house presents a spectacular 32-foot-tall curved window wall that maximizes the water views on two sides. (Five canals join here and flow past into Barnegat Bay.)

"Our rooftop deck has 360-degree views," says Fran Cleary. "We can watch July 4^th fireworks from Barnegat Light to Atlantic City."

A swimming pool lies between the house and their 250-foot vinyl bulkheaded canalfront with dock. Cleary, recently retired after 38 years as a New York Stock Exchange floor trader, plans to share this home with visiting children and grandchildren, and to indulge his passion for fishing.

Other Tagland-designed homes are rising on the 18-mile Barrier Island, particularly in the town of Loveladies, where the brothers spent childhood summers. Many of the 200-plus residential, commercial and public buildings they’ve done since founding Studio Tagland in 1992 are on Long Beach Island.

From the 1920’s to the 1950’s New Yorkers, Philadelphians and northern New Jerseyites came to small cottages and ranch houses on the island for simple vacation living. That spirit still exits.

"The hundreds of people I see biking or walking always say, "Hi," and the neighborhoods are safe for kids," Cleary says.

"Long Beach Island is a special family-oriented place," agrees Lou Purul, 63, a retired Philadelphia bank vice president and homeowner since 1966. His wife, Veronica, an interior decorator, has summered here since 1948. "The fishing is great in the bay, and the ocean beach has good surfing for older kids and good swimming for adults — though it’s usually too rough for youngsters. There’s one amusement center, lots of little shops and shore restaurants, but no chains or glitzy restaurants. And it’s only 60 miles from Philadelphia."

In the 1960’s when the Taglands’ uncle, architect Oram H Tonge Jr., worked here, the island became a breeding ground for architectural styles, says Bill Tagland. (The brothers apprenticed with Tonge before founding Studio Tagland.)

Now Long Beach Island has been discovered as an alternative to the Hamptons (on the East End of New York’s Long Island) by young professionals in the region. Purul still loves Long Beach Island, but has one dislike. "In summer there are so many people the island should sink, and on weekends the bay channel is as busy as the Interstate."

Vacant lots are nonexistent. Though some buyers remodel an existing older home, most tear it down and build anew. A new home here is no longer a simple summer retreat. Most make a statement, like the Taglands’ first commission, the "Leaning Tower of Loveladies." The home’s tilted walls attracted attention, controversy and commissions.

Among the Taglands’ dramatic contemporary oceanfront houses is a former 1950’s ranch. Guest bedrooms and den now occupy the ground floor, while the upper level houses the living and dining rooms, kitchen, and master suite with private oceanfront balcony. The round, skylit dining room "leans" over the beach. Curved rooflines echo the waves, three levels of railed decks overlook the ocean and window walls bring the panorama inside.

"It’s very calming to sit and watch the water; you’re transported to another universe." — Ira Suckoneck

"Bill’s creativity is his strength," says Purul, who owns bayside property squeezed between busy Long Beach Boulevard and his small private beach. "Our house presented quite a challenge, because we didn’t want a lot of attention from the road. Inside we wanted free-flowing space, privacy for my wife and me when our family was visiting, five bedrooms with lots of glass on the bay, and plenty of storage. Bill listened, then came back with a design that incorporated everything we asked for."

The great room’s two-story window wall provides exciting and chilling views during a storm, Purul says. The fireplace wall blocks views of the neighboring house. Columns delineate spaces, breaking up the huge great room.

"Our first-floor master suite overlooking the bay gives us privacy, while the second master suite — two second-floor bedrooms with shared bath and the third-floor billiard room — work exceptionally well with guests," he says. "I’m going to stay here forever because I can’t design or build a nicer house."

Purul’s son-in-law, of Callan and Moeller Construction, is developing the12-acre Beach Haven’s Hideaway Bay. Studio Tagland is designing each of the 35 homes for individual clients. Owners range from young families to senior citizens, some year-rounders, some summer residents. Exterior Queen Anne, shingle and Victorian elements on all homes form a cohesive community, though each house (2,400 to 9,000 square feet, priced from $500,000 to $4 million) is unique.

All share a community dock, and bayfront lots have panoramic bay views.

Nearby, Ira Suckoneck, a 53-year old Randolph, NJ trial lawyer, and his wife, Vicki, requested a simple, elegant home with as much glass as possible, to take advantage of their Barnegat Bay views. The great room’s 30-foot-high window wall delivers that, from the dramatic three-story entry to the second-floor balcony.

"It’s very calming to sit and watch the water; you’re transported to another universe," says Suckoneck, who escapes to his "very livable house" year-round. The pool, private beach and nearby ocean beach also please their children and friends.

The Suckonecks, like most clients, remain friends with their builder and the Taglands. However, the relationship changes when the house is finished.

"People invite us back and we walk through, but the house is no longer our baby," says Richard.

There’s little time to look back, for Bill has hundreds of design ideas in his head, and the firm is juggling dozens of projects in various stages.

"Transforming clients’ desires into a unique home, commercial project or public building, is still lots of fun," Bill says. "This isn’t a job to us."