The design of the exterior is drawn from informal harborside structures perched above granite piers, ranging from boathouses to fishing shacks, found in any town on the Maine coast. These simple sculptural forms have the power to read against the overwhelming scale of the ocean with no intention of upstaging it.

The activities of daily life take place on a line parallel to the sea, anchored by the owners’ bedroom on one end and the stone chimney of the family room on the other. The detached garage and guest spaces are placed perpendicular to the sea, configured to be out of sight and out of mind.

This project reinvents traditional building details, using familiar materials in new ways. Large expanses of glass, made possible by integrating high-performance building materials and systems, invite the sublime qualities of the natural surroundings directly into the home.

Location: Kennebunkport
Architect: Marcus Gleysteen Architects
Design Team: Marcus Gleysteen Architects, AIA and Maggie Mink, RA
Builder: Bowley Builders
Construction start: Summer 2018
Construction complete: Winter 2019