Nestled into the woods, this cottage is designed to capitalize on the site’s serene, natural landscape and water beyond. The clients, who have worked with Knickerbocker Group on three previous projects, will host their daughter’s wedding on the family site and reengaged the firm to design and build a Honeymoon Cottage for the newlyweds to retreat to once the wedding festivities wind down. The structure is relatively small in scale, with a minimally disturbed landscape and three separate “pods” connected by glazed bridges. Black shou sugi ban siding and a dark bronze metal roof meld the residence with its wooded and mossy environment, while expansive windows maximize water views. The foundation system is minimalist, with slender concrete cores anchored directly to the ledge to minimize site impact. This allows the floor structure to cantilever on all sides and create the sense that the cottage is “floating” above ground. The interiors serve as an extension of the site, with clear vertical-grain Douglas fir wrapping the surfaces and dark black and bronze accents harmoniously unifying the inside and outside settings. Floating shelves, a sculptural ceiling-mounted fireplace, and a waterfall vanity are paired with handmade tile and solid stone features to visually ground the cottage in its graceful presence above the wood and sea below. As a haven, the Honeymoon Cottage will greet the newlyweds through all the seasons of their life together.  

Location: Midcoast Maine
Architect: Knickerbocker Group
Builder: Knickerbocker Group
Interior Designer: Knickerbocker Group
Landscape Architecture: Carson Douglas Landscape Architecture & Knickerbocker Group
Construction Start: Summer 2023
Construction Complete: Summer 2024