Perched on a narrow and steeply sloped site overlooking the Passagassawakeag River in Belfast, this Maine modern-style house is oriented to maximize framed views of the river, allowing the first-floor space to be elevated high above the landscape and providing natural light to flood living spaces throughout the day. The owners, a young family, wanted to incorporate a glass entryway to separate the public and private living spaces. The layout within the living area features an open kitchen/living/dining design, with floor-to-ceiling windows on the southern and western walls that give these spaces a strong visual connection to the land. The exterior materials and architectural forms have been arranged to reflect the local historic vernacular of Maine’s coast while giving the house a fresh and modern look.

Location: Belfast
Architect & Builder: Knickerbocker Group
Construction start: Fall 2020
Construction complete: Summer 2021