Horace Gifford, an avant-garde architect in ascension, came to Fire Island in 1960 at the age of 28. While his tenure was short, he nonetheless had a lasting impact on the island’s architectural landscape. During his life, Gifford designed 63 seasonal homes. These spectacular inventions changed the way Americans interacted with their environment. His designs evolved from modest beach huts to elegant modernist residences. These dwellings quickly became design tours de force and still act as lasting representations of Fire Island’s unique beauty.
Gifford’s architect values were rooted in a belief that by living more closely together, we could live in greater balance with the earth. He encouraged his clients to be ambitious in their own efforts to shrink their environmental footprints. To that end, he advocated for culled down experiences to encourage what he described as an “artful form of camping.” This ecophilosophy prioritized sustainability not simply for its own sake, but in the tradition of Fire Island’s bohemian ethos of taking life less seriously.
Almost as famous as his ideas was Gifford’s particular style. He was usually seen working in a Speedo with an attache case and socks, strolling through the sand. His eccentric appearance was further complemented by the avant-garde designs he created, catapulting him to stardom within the architectural society. In a notable 1964 issue of The American Home magazine, Gifford was hailed as “undoubtedly the top beach-house designer in the country.”
Despite Gifford being the poster child of success, all was not rosy in her life. In 1965, he was arrested while in the middle of a police raid. This attack occurred in the Meat Rack, a notorious cruising ground on Fire Island. That was the incident that created a criminal record that stopped him from ever seeking an architect’s license in New York. Though Gifford experienced many hurdles, he was never deterred. One of his most extraordinary contributions remains his own home for textile designer Murray Fishman, which featured an eye-catching, tree-house-like structure raised on thick wooden stilts.
In 1977, Calvin Klein, the now-famous fashion designer, was one of Gifford’s high-profile early clients. He bought one of Gifford’s gorgeous oceanfront cottages. Of Gifford’s creations, Klein called them “the ultimate hedonist house,” noting that they were “built for lovemaking.” This sentiment is the perception that lies at the heart of Gifford’s production—houses that fostered liberty and enjoyment.
Gifford’s legacy reached beyond his architectural achievements. Those of us of his generation who lived through the AIDS epidemic suffered a deep sense of loss. Tragically, Gifford lost her battle with the disease at age 59. His departure meant the end of an era for all of those who had respected him, for he had always been admired for his innovative vision and forethought.
In looking back on Gifford’s personality, friends and clients recalled his “quiet vulnerability,” mixed with periods of narcissism. As one college friend remembered, Gifford was always “a most fascinating study,” knowing she had chosen psychology as her major. It was this complexity that made him such an alluring and confusing figure to anyone who met him.
Christopher Rawlins, a long-time Fire Island resident, expressed tremendous sadness at how the community—a peaceful and beautiful retreat for so many—is changing. “My most vivid memory of my first visit here in the late 90s is being able to hold my boyfriend’s hand in public without fear,” he said. Gifford’s contributions stretched well past the realm of architecture. They represented a powerful cultural moment, signaling a broader and irrepressible cultural change towards acceptance and openness within LGBTQ+ communities.
Rawlins also pondered the implications of this newfound freedom: “What happens when people who are accustomed to a certain degree of fear no longer feel it?” It is a question that rings profoundly inside of Fire Island’s rich history as well as its present legacy.
Gifford’s designs significantly influenced the look of Fire Island Pines and other beach homes throughout the latter half of the 20th century. His vision for creating structures that existed in harmony with nature has forever changed the look, feel and essence of this beautiful island. Homeowners today recognize the unique environment created by Gifford’s vision, with one stating, “We shouldn’t even be allowed to have houses here,” emphasizing the delicate balance between human habitation and nature.