When you drive onto the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton, New York, you’ll come across a small red house at 159 Old Point Road — modest in size, but monumental in purpose.
Welcome to Ma’s House (https://www.mashouse.studio/), a community-led art space founded by Shinnecock artist Jeremy Dennis. What began as a personal project during the early pandemic has become one of two BIPOC artist residencies on Indigenous reservation land in the United States.
Now, Ma’s House is entering a new chapter — and BuildLabs is honored to help build it with architect Pete DePasquale (www.gdp.work).
Jeremy began the Ma’s House project in 2020 after returning home during the pandemic. “The Ma’s House project started came out of my own need and process of going through residencies,” he says. What he built soon expanded into a nonprofit arts organization: “We have a residency program and have hosted more than 70 artists of color across the country.”
The existing structure, inherited from his grandparents (Ma's House is named in honor of his grandmother), was beloved, but fragile. Jeremy explains:
“The structure was built out of recycled materials and had a lot of weather damage, and even animals found their way in. The new structure will give us stress relief… we’ll be able to invite dancers and artists who need to bring their partners or support animals; space the current studio doesn’t have.”
Earlier this year, Jeremy and Dennis connected with Punit Chugh, cofounder of BuildLabs, about building a new studio structure on the property.
Punit recalls. “Jeremy and Peter liked our full offering — the pre-built model, our cost structure, and our ability to deliver a complete solution. The partnership just clicked.”
Architect Peter DePasquale (of Garnett.DePasquale www.gdp.work) had already generously donated multiple rounds of designs — renderings that merged contemporary architecture with Indigenous motifs.
Jeremy says: “We created different renderings and came to one design that came to contemporary but also [a] traditional wigwam interpretation — that was a really wonderful conclusion.”
BuildLabs’ precision engineering construction method turned out to be the perfect match.
“The BuildLabs technique aligned with our goal to do as little disruption to the property, environment, and to the neighborhood,” Jeremy explains.
BuildLabs is spearheading full construction services:
Jeremy adds that both builder and architect have embraced collaboration:
“Both sides — Pete and Punit — [are] able to accommodate so many changes and customizations. There's an emphasis on material needs and making it welcoming to artists. Even the position of the building for efficient natural light is just one detail that will benefit the program greatly.”
The new structure will include:
The total structure is approximately 1,000 sq ft.
BuildLabs has committed more than $200,000 in donated services and materials because — as Punit puts it — “the mission is important.”
Sustainable practices are embedded in every step:
In Punit’s words:
“All products are finished in our climate-controlled factory, resulting in a zero-waste construction process. This approach respects the land, the neighborhood, and Shinnecock values of stewardship."
Assembly On-Site:
December 2–3, 2025
Prefab containers arrive December 2 at 8 AM with crane-assisted installation.
Projected Completion:
February 2026 — including full furnishing.
Visitors and press are welcome to witness the build. Jeremy Dennis, BuildLabs cofounder, Punit Chugh, and BuildLabs project director Sascha Lamberty will be on-site for interviews and documentation.
For Jeremy, the new studio means year-round creative life on the reservation: “It will be a hybrid space for creation year-round as well as space for showcasing of art.”
For the community, it means continued access to one of the only Indigenous reservation-based residencies in the country.
For BuildLabs, it is an honor to contribute to a space where culture, sovereignty, and sustainability intersect.
To learn more or attend the live assembly, reach out to tanya@buildlabs.com.
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