RESIDENTIAL

Loon Lane Cottage

This project aimed to make the experience of this cottage feel as deeply rooted in the site as possible. Visitors approach the home from a winding dirt road edged with deciduous and coniferous trees to see gray-green horizontal siding boards that appear to change colors with the seasons. The structure’s trim and siding are painted all one color, and dark windows help the cottage blend into its wooded setting while its low-slung hipped roof hugs the ground.

From the entrance, the home’s layout is private, with minimal windows; the water side of the property contrasts with more glazing and a large, screened porch for optimal views to—and breezes from—the neighboring pond. This concept reflects the program with private quarters closest to the quiet entry and public, daytime areas nearest to the water. Both areas are connected by a wide hallway with a surprising view of the pond. 

A major interior element is the warm stone fireplace. The dropped soffits and ceiling in the dining area and at the window seat create a canopy connected to the exterior eaves, drawing visitors’ eyes to the outdoors. The entry door’s sidelight gives a sneak peek through the house without shouting “lakeside property,” continuing the elements of simplicity and coziness found throughout the rest of the cottage’s design. 

Architect: Stephen Blatt Architects
Builder: Great Falls Construction
Interior Designer: Morrison Design House
Structural Engineer: Intelligent Design Engineering
Photographer: Heidi Kirn
Location: Denmark
Completed: 2022

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Studio 84

Years after completing a net-zero home along Harpswell’s coast, the clients requested a new accessory structure. The multipurpose space would not be quite a barn or studio, nor a boathouse, a guesthouse, or greenhouse. Instead, it would be all those things and more, adaptable to every practical and whimsical use the owners might subject it to. The structure packs plenty of party—and purpose—into the site’s oceanside pines and tight shoreline setbacks. Body, mind, and spirit are nurtured here with a woodshop, fully equipped ceramics studio, game room, and steam room.

An open, double-height area on the ground level can be accessed by oversized barn doors to accommodate boat storage. More often, however, the space serves as a venue for Ping-Pong tournaments, traveling bands, and lively dance parties. Beats drop from a second-story DJ booth overlooking the room while spectators revel from the cable-railed gallery wrapping the upper level. On quieter days, the indoor balcony functions as a sunny library with built-in bookshelves and cozy seating. Flexible sleeping quarters encourage friends and family to stay a while longer and rest after the last song plays.

The “party barn” creates a dialogue with the site’s existing residence using a shared materials palette and complementary roofline. Its unique program called for a volume with two intersecting shed roofs that extend beyond the building’s primary mass to create a screened porch on the water-facing elevation and a boat canopy along the driveway. The canopy’s braces gradually fan outward to hug the property’s setback, allowing the roof overhang to taper outward at the driveway and clip back toward the building at its opposite end. Exposed hemlock timber framing and pine interiors finish the space with playful geometries and lend a warm, rustic feel to the contemporary form.

Architect: Kaplan Thompson Architects
Builder: Benjamin & Company
Structural Engineer: L & L Structural Engineering Services
Photographer: Irvin Serrano
Location: Harpswell
Completed: 2021

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Bethel Point

Surrounded by water on three sides, the existing 1960s home on this property was near the end of its life. During the design process, it was determined that the structure needed to be removed in order to build a new home that would better capture the breathtaking views while accommodating the performance standards that are expected with modern living.

The entry is inviting, with a deep covered porch and low-pitched rooflines around the first floor to help nestle the home into the site. Natural materials that match the other structures on the property were used, including stained Douglas fir and cedar. The larger-scale windows compared to others on the property offer a more contemporary look. 

The first floor is composed of an open kitchen, living space, and dining area with a focus on the views; two guest suites, a butler’s pantry, and the family room round out the first-floor layout. A large stone fireplace acts as an anchor to one corner of the home, where the windows abut the stone of the fireplace on each side. The second floor is predominantly a primary suite, which includes a comfortable primary bedroom, bath, and sitting area. 

This new home, placed over the existing home’s footprint, brought much-needed life to this gorgeous site on the water adjacent to Quahog Bay Conservancy. The design, complete with an outdoor stone patio and fireplace, takes full advantage of the sweeping views around the bay.

Architect: Kevin Browne Architecture
Builder: TJ’s Fine Woodworking
Interior Designer: LKW Design Associates
Structural Engineer: Albert Putnam Associates
Landscape Designer: Soren deNiord Design Studio
Photographer: Jeff Roberts
Location: Coastal Maine
Completed: 2021

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House on a Bay

The conceptual design for this project was born of a desire to reconcile and make evident different levels that exist naturally on the site. The public programmatic elements were placed on the ground while the private components of the building were elevated, disengaging the earth below and engendering a sense of privacy. One end of the cantilevered bar was placed against the edge of a stone escarpment and rotated toward the easterly horizon of the Atlantic. The public spaces housed in the lower bar are grounded through the bar’s materiality, further dividing the building into discrete sections. The distinction between the two volumes is heightened by the weightlessness of the floating mass above, supported by steel posts that echo the scale and imperfection of surrounding spruce trees.

Inhabitants and visitors are led toward a protected entry by concrete walls and large-scale pavers. The opening becomes a visual and physical connection through the building’s otherwise solid mass. The interiors are balanced with natural light and ethereality. In the kitchen, space is defined by an array of light fixtures hung asymmetrically over a collection of cabinetry boxes. Cantilevered stair treads delicately suspended from the massive concrete wall, in concert with a glass guard, reinforce the structure’s resistance to gravity. Above, the roof peels back, expanding the sense of space, exchanging the sea for a newfound consciousness of the sky. Ever-changing patterns of shadow enhance the intersection of the two rotated geometries as the house becomes a receptacle for light.

Architect: Elliott Architects
Interior Designer: Urban Dwellings
Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
Civil Engineer: Gartley & Dorsky Engineering & Surveying
Mechanical Engineer: Integrated Energy Systems
Envelope Consultant: Building Envelope Solutions
General Contractor: Warren Construction Group
Landscape Architect: Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture
Lighting Designer: Peter Knuppel Lighting Design
Photographer: Paul Warchol
Location: Southport
Completed: 2021

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New Light

After their children embarked on their college journeys, the homeowners began envisioning the next chapter of their lives. How could they explore new horizons while maintaining the comforting embrace of a family home? Their search led them to Cape Elizabeth, a picturesque town nestled along the ocean where sprawling farmlands meet the rugged Maine coastline. Just beyond, Portland provides urban amenities.

During their initial visit to the waterfront property, the owners stepped inside and were instantly captivated by the vivid blues and greens of the ocean visible through the windows. The dramatic rock formations, almost resembling sculptures, added to the allure. They knew the location felt right, and they knew they could transform the home into the family gathering place they had imagined. Strategic interventions and design choices reimagined every facet of the home, culminating in modern aesthetics, unobstructed views, and innate sophistication.

The waterfront residence underwent a metamorphosis into a modern home that takes full advantage of the dramatic oceanfront setting. Ocean views were expanded and framed while showcasing local materials like natural wood and stone. Space was optimized, incorporating a guest suite and enhancing the home’s flow. The transformation was remarkable: dark wood paneling and a secluded kitchen gave way to sun-soaked spaces, exuding a profound sense of tranquility. The home’s aesthetic was streamlined and refined, thoughtfully curating a harmonious blend of consistent hues and materials. This paved the way for a polished and unified elegance that reverberates throughout the home’s interior and exterior. The blue and silver tones of the ocean were brought into the home and are reflected in the furnishings, rugs, and light fixtures. 

Architect & Builder: Woodhull
Interior Designer: Molly Quesada Interiors
Structural Engineer: Trillium Engineering Group
Millwork Construction & Installation: McIntosh & Company
Landscape Designer: Soren deNiord Design Studio
Photographer: Trent Bell
Location: Cape Elizabeth
Completed: 2023

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The Narrows

This site-specific design, nestled along the banks of one of Maine’s abundant tidal rivers, respects its unique 600-foot shoreland building setback. Positioning the home even farther back meant preserving the best attributes of the site—the rolling fields and woodlands down to the river—without crowding them. Local, natural, and reclaimed materials create a high-performance, low-maintenance home rooted in the local vernacular architecture.

Interior rooms are linked to outdoor living through well-framed views, a stone terrace, and a generous screened porch. The site’s fields are cut for hay twice a year, and this intentional tending creates a lush and dynamic foreground. The views of the river are embraced by the surrounding coastal woodlands and form a picturesque middle ground that leads the eye toward the serene background beyond.

The house has a subtle presence on the site, particularly from the driveway approach. The profiles of the bedroom suites and barn are derived from the simple utilitarian shapes of regional coastal structures. By dropping the central connector and keeping the structure to one story, the visual impact of the home is minimized while giving direct access to grade from the open-plan living space. Daylight from high windows above ample storage space in the north helps balance direct sunlight from tall glass doors facing the river to the south.

Architect: Whitten Architects
Builder & Cabinetry: Hewes & Company
Interior Designer: Belhaakon
Structural Engineer: Albert Putnam Associates
Landscape Designer: Emma Kelly Landscape
Landscape Installation: Atlantic Landscape Construction
Photographer: Trent Bell
Location: Downeast Maine
Completed: 2022

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Coastal Connection

A multigenerational extended family living all over the country was looking to replace their outgrown camp with a residence that would foster a relaxed atmosphere where they could spend quality time together. Designed to be a turn-key retreat where everyone can come and go, the home feels comfortable whether it is accommodating 2 or 20 family members.

Located on a meandering archipelago, the residence runs east–west to maximize views of the sheltered cove to the north. A glassy hallway breaks the barrier between land and sea with sliding doors that frame the water view upon arrival. The dark-stained cedar exterior recedes into the landscape, creating an unexpected contrast to the warm Douglas fir interior. The communal living area is anchored by a sculptural double-sided fireplace with distinct yet open spaces around it, allowing the family to gather in smaller groups while remaining visually connected.

The building’s shed roofs rise to the north, with expansive windows opening to the ocean view and providing diffuse daylight. Triple-hung windows in the four-season porch blend indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing the sea breeze to cool the house in the summer. The bright fir ceiling and exposed structure create a jewel-like beacon in the evenings to guide the seafaring home. A seasonal bunkhouse nestles into the hillside and stands separate from the main residence. The living space on the second level provides overflow sleeping quarters and a deck with elevated water views to the north and east.

Simply furnished bedroom suites in the main house and the separate bunkhouse grant moments of privacy for family and friends of all ages and mobility levels. A variety of gathering spaces throughout the property encourage unique experiences and connectedness with each other as well as the environment.

Architect & Interior Designer: Winkelman Architecture
Builder: BK Burgess
Structural Engineer: Albert Putnam Associates
Interior Millwork: Hewes & Company
Landscape Designer: Richardson and Associates
Masonry: Freshwater Stone
Photographer: Jeff Roberts
Location: Blue Hill Peninsula
Completed: 2022

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River Bend Residence

Located on the bend of a river in southern Maine, this modern new home was designed with efficiency, performance, and aesthetics in mind. The home sits over an existing full foundation with additions to the south, east, and west. Solar orientation, views of the river, relationship, and accessibility to exterior spaces were all important design considerations.

The home has three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a den, and an office with open-concept kitchen, dining, and living areas. The first floor was designed for entertaining and easy circulation. A feature stair at the center of the home connects the second-floor bedrooms and third-floor treehouse/flex space that looks toward the river. The multifunctional third-floor space has windows that mimic those on the fortified towers found on islands off the coast of southern Maine. It is filled with natural daylight and provides a quiet space for working, reading, yoga, or simply relaxing.

Solar panels were installed during construction to provide the energy needed to build the home, allowing net-zero energy consumption during construction. After completion, the solar panels now provide enough electricity to offset the energy demands for the home and all its systems. Dense-packed cellulose insulates the wood-framed walls and roofs, further minimizing the home’s carbon footprint. Triple-glazed windows were installed along with high-performance mechanical systems that provide heating, cooling, and ventilation to maximize efficiency and comfort.

Architect: Briburn
Builder: Sylvain + Sevigny
Structural Engineer: Albert Putnam Associates
Mechanical Engineer: Ripcord Engineering
Photographer: François Gagné
Location: Yarmouth
Completed: 2022

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Outside In

The homeowners of a dark, outdated tract house originally intended to renovate their kitchen, but the home’s waterside location inspired brainstorming about much wider possibilities. In addition to the kitchen, the primary bedroom was too cramped to accommodate the clients’ wishes for more space and light, and the entire house suffered from being closed in and cut off from its stunning site. An ambitious plan was devised to move the primary bedroom suite to an underutilized and much larger space in the house, providing a more generous layout and access to better views while opening the entire living area to the outdoors by adding expansive glass sliders and a more usable deck.

The clients had a robust sense of aesthetic adventure, so along with the significant changes to layout and energy efficiency, the interior was renovated with contemporary finishes and details, including a dramatic stairway lit by LED wand lights set into the walls. The front exterior of the house was updated with modern materials as well.

Significantly reducing the building’s carbon footprint was a major focus, which included a comprehensive air-sealing program, upgraded windows with energy-saving triple-pane replacements, additional insulation, and improved air quality management. In addition, rainscreen siding was added to enhance longevity. As a result, this home will remain comfortable, beautiful, and energy efficient for years to come.

Designer & Builder: Juniper Design + Build
Cellulose Insulation: North East Spray
Decorative Metalwork: Cumberland Iron Works
Drywall: Daniel Caron Drywall
Electrical Installation: William Flynn Electrical
Flooring Installation: A-Z Wood Flooring
Heat Pumps & Radiators: Mac Air Pro
Interior Glass & Shower Doors: Hour Glass Company
Lutron Shades & Audiovisual: Tucker & Tucker Associates
Plumbing Installation: JW Mantsch Plumbing
Tile Installation: Ben Herbert Tile
Photographer: Rachel Sieben
Location: Scarborough
Completed: 2022

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The Swallow

Looking for a modern design with a throwback to classic New England style, these clients wanted a healthy, durable, efficient, and beautiful home for their retirement in Maine. Based on “Pretty Good House” methods, this low-carbon, fully electric home is dedicated to healthy indoor air quality and a light environmental touch. Filled with daylight and character, it takes advantage of natural materials and waste reduction, eliminating the need for the usual on-site dumpster during construction. 

The low-energy, high-performance home has triple-pane windows, cellulose insulation, natural cedar shakes, and a fresh-air ventilation system. Facing south, it takes advantage of natural daylighting all year long, and solar energy production is right on-site. The residence is airtight and low carbon by design: a natural, energy-efficient, healthy home created with both people and planet in mind.

Architect: Mottram Architecture
Builder: Tamarack Builders
Structural Engineer: Trillium Engineering Group
Landscape Architect: Asa Peats Landscape Design
Solar Installer: TeelGreen Energy
Photographer: Sarah Szwajkos
Location: Camden
Completed: 2022

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Otisfield Guesthouse

Clad in corrugated metal and stained cedar clapboards, this project was designed to materially match the neighboring buildings on the property, which together make up an artistic compound that has been organically emerging since the 1980s. However, its form departs from the other buildings, creating something decidedly more modern. Two intersecting rectangles, one single-height and one double-height, combine to create distinct public and private realms within the small house. At their intersection, a loft space ties the two volumes together, cantilevering out and providing an unexpected visual connection. High ceilings and bright, crisp interiors make the rooms feel spacious and airy. Windows are oriented for privacy from the road and a neighboring property while providing views of the surrounding woods.

There’s a lot of volume and space hiding under the intersecting shed roofs of this small yet functional guesthouse. With a footprint of just 560 square feet, this project includes one bedroom, one bath, a mudroom, an open kitchen/living/dining area, a bright and cozy loft space, and a laundry room. Paired with a large screened porch so its inhabitants can enjoy the fresh air sans mosquitoes, it’s a perfect getaway spot.

Architect: Leslie Benson Designs
Builder: Seth Gallant
Construction Support & Interior Design: Scott Berk & Diana Arcadipone (clients)
Structural Engineer: Structural Integrity Consulting Engineers
Metalwork: Western Maine Steel
Photographer: Myriam Babin
Location: Otisfield
Completed: 2022

COMMERCIAL

The Rangeley Hideaway

Driven by a personal commitment to the region and a desire to address an unmet need, the client envisioned a commercial hybrid for coffee service, coworking, and community space. The design and construction process was characterized by open communication among the architecture, construction, and interior teams and the client, guided by a positive mindset established early in the process.

 Descending Route 4, the Hideaway greets visitors into Rangeley’s commercial downtown, offering fast Wi-Fi, a variety of clean, minimalist workspaces (indoors and out), and a warm respite for cafe visitors. The location was driven by the goal of alignment and connection to Main Street and the beauty of the natural world surrounding the project site, where Haley Pond and Rangeley Lake meet. The building’s interior plan is an open but cozy space with protected and inviting nooks. Punched windows are large and limited in number, carefully placed for light and connection. Roof windows provide light from sculptural scoops above, and interior features include custom cafe millwork, a rear spiral stair leading to individual work desks, and a custom wall of shelving with a hidden bookcase door to the owner’s personal office. 

The form of the building is compact and direct, driven by a combination of two offset scissor trusses and a partial mezzanine, giving variety and complexity to the interior. The thermal envelope is designed with continuous exterior insulation, from underslab to walls to roof, and careful flashing and details for a minimal overhang at the roof edge. The client and team prioritized expressed materials throughout the project, from the polished concrete slab (over radiant floors) to reverse-board-and-batten and shou sugi ban exterior cedar to walnut and marble interior furnishings.

Architect & Builder: Barrett Made
Interior Designer: Chloe Kregling
Structural Engineer: Trillium Engineering Group
Civil Engineer: S.W. Cole Engineering
Millwork: KCMF
Photographer: Erin Little
Location: Rangeley
Completed: 2022

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Boothbay Region YMCA

The project’s core mission was to align the YMCA with the evolving demands of its community and varied user demographics. This vision materialized through a strategic blend of market research, community needs assessments, and insights from the Boothbay Region YMCA’s strategic planning process. Using these findings, the design team was able to create a reimagined space that boasts expanded wellness facilities, a state-of-the-art educational kitchen, vibrant community rooms, a versatile multipurpose studio, upgraded restrooms, and a new welcome center.

Operational continuity was a paramount challenge as the project unfolded, with intricate planning required to maintain utility connections amid ongoing construction. A central theme of the design journey was the creation of a new, inviting entrance and plaza. The exterior transformation features a spacious entry canopy and an atrium with transom windows, ingeniously built upon the existing infrastructure. Inside, the main entrance leads to an expansive lobby with an elegant linear wood ceiling and striking curved welcome desk accentuated by a word wall backdrop.

The lobby connects to a lounge area in the southern wing, offering comfortable seating, a member-centric kitchenette, and a direct link to the field house’s track. Large storefront windows reconfigured the exterior wall, welcoming abundant natural light into the lounge. The use of acoustic ceiling clouds balances sound absorption and diffusion of daylight, maintaining an open, airy atmosphere. The project’s lower level witnessed a transformation of previously segregated fitness spaces into a cohesive, open-concept design. Exposed-structure ceilings, direct and indirect linear lighting, resilient flooring, and an improved equipment layout strengthen functionality and aesthetics.

Sustainability played a crucial role in the project’s vision. New rooftop mechanical units and a large solar array on the field house structure were integrated to boost efficiency and reduce energy demands. This ambitious project seamlessly marries architectural ingenuity with community-centric design, embodying a harmonious balance between preserving history and embracing the future. Its thoughtful approach ensures that the Boothbay Region YMCA will continue to serve as a vital hub for the community for years to come.

Architect & Interior Designer: Knickerbocker Group
Consulting Architect: Gro Dev
Builder: Wright-Ryan
Structural, Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Engineer: Allied Engineering
Civil Engineer: Gorrill Palmer Consulting Engineers
Acoustical Engineer: Cavanaugh Tocci Associates
Photographer: Trent Bell
Location: Boothbay Harbor
Completed: 2022

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The Jackson Laboratory

Light-filled, open, and transparent, this vibrant workplace renovation cultivates a culture of collaboration and innovation for a New England–based nonprofit biomedical institution. The original work environment was dark and maze-like, with little access to natural lighting, which hindered employee collaboration and did not support the company’s workplace culture. A dynamic new design, answering the need for “a workplace of the future,” reimagines the office environment and prioritizes well-being, cross-functional employee engagement, and connection to the site’s natural surroundings. Collaborative zones along the perimeter, casual seating areas, and a centralized, open cafe give employees options for focused work and enhance connectivity across the organization. An internal bank of offices creates a separation in the space and buffers the noise of traditional open offices. Large windows capture expansive mountain views and harvest natural daylighting. Low workstation panels and translucent dividers help bring natural daylight deep into the floor plan. Employee well-being is enhanced with specification of low-VOC materials and finishes. Mechanical improvements and new air-handling systems create a healthier indoor environment.

To integrate with the building’s natural setting, particular attention was paid to color and natural elements throughout the new spaces. Vibrant green, orange, and blues, complemented by fuchsia accents on exposed columns and cross-bracing, are incorporated via furnishings, flooring, and architectural elements, helping stimulate creativity and collegiality. Arktura panels separating work and gathering spaces along the office perimeter playfully let in light while creating a sense of enclosure. Wooden ceiling “clouds” throughout the space add an additional natural element and reinforce the connection to the outdoors. This revitalized office is now a vital element of Jackson Laboratory’s recruiting process.  

Architect, Interior Designer & Engineer: Harriman
Contractor: Landry French Construction
Carpet: Milliken Color Fields
Furniture: Creative Office Resources; MillerKnoll
Photographer: Siri Blanchette
Location: Bar Harbor
Completed: 2023