The site for this island residence is a rocky knoll overlooking Penobscot Bay with views to the open ocean, where the white lines of birch trunks punctuate a backdrop of twisted spruce trees. Because the site slopes away in several directions from the top of the knoll, the building forms modulate and shift to engage with the topography. The design’s cedar-clad, gabled forms extend into the landscape, creating a variety of intimately scaled outdoor spaces. Rather than establish a foundation plinth, the design takes a more plastic approach, wrapping the shingled wall surfaces down to the natural grade. Woven shingle corners minimize breaks in the surface pattern. Cedar decks contribute to a palette of weathered materials. The three main volumes—living areas, guest accommodations, and an owner’s suite—gather around a central kitchen, which is topped with a green roof. There is also an office with access to a deck perched in the green roof. Like all GO Logic projects, this design incorporates a Passive House−level building shell to deliver the highest levels of energy efficiency and indoor air quality. The building is oriented to engage with the site’s remarkable views but also to maximize passive solar gain, further reducing its demand for supplemental heat.

Location: A Penobscot Bay Island
Architect & Builder: GO Logic
Construction start: Fall 2017
Construction complete: Summer 2018