*Names have been changed to protect the clients’ anonymity.

It was easy, explains Mary Bridger, for the extended family to gather at a rental home when the kids were young, and the grandkids nonexistent. “We started coming to Maine around 15 years ago,” she says. “We did Ogunquit, Prouts Neck, and Biddeford Pool. We were familiar with the area, but we hadn’t thought about building a summer home.” Back then, they were able to put aside two weeks a year, wrangle the schedules, and get everyone in the same place. But, as her kids grew older and their lives grew more complicated, the task became near impossible. “The concept of two weeks together just fell apart,” she says. “We realized that we needed a place where people could come and go when they wanted.”

For the Bridgers, the idea of doing a new build was daunting. Their house in Concord, Massachusetts, was old and needed only occasional fixing and renovations. “We thought we would just buy something. But we couldn’t find a place big enough or situated correctly,” says Paul Bridger. Over the years, the couple had noticed a piece of land for sale in Biddeford right by the water. They rode by it on their bicycles, but for a long time they didn’t bother to inquire. It’s common, explained Paul, for lots like this to sit idle. “There are so many various easements on properties,” he says. “Being close to the marsh, you can’t put in a septic.”

Yet the desire to reinstate the annual family tradition grew stronger, so they started looking for solutions. With a bit of finagling, they were able to convince the neighbors to agree to stop pumping their waste through the lot. “I got together with all the interested parties and told them, ‘How about I build you a new septic system,’” Paul recalls. “It was the key to unlocking the land so we could build a sizable house. We have seven grandchildren, and six of them are boys. It’s very active.”

Designed by architect Jessica Jolin at Mobile Studio Design and constructed by Bowley Builders, the Bridgers’ Granite Point vacation home was made to suit their wild and crazy summer schedules and their wild and crazy young relatives. “They came to us with the mission of building a home that all families could enjoy at the same time for many years together, in a style that multiple generations could appreciate,” says Jolin. “They wanted a timeless coastal feel, natural materials, and pockets of space where they could be either social or private, both inside and outside.” The early drawings were for two-story structures, but as the process progressed Jolin realized she could squeeze in a third story, which became the kids’ space. Three en suite groupings make up the second story, and the first floor contains the communal areas (kitchen, sunroom, living room) and the owners’ suite. “It’s designed so people can be at the beach, or be on vacation, while other people are working.” Jolin adds, “It’s one of the larger houses we’ve ever designed.”

It feels big, but it doesn’t feel too big, say Paul and Mary, thanks to the thoughtful layout and impeccable construction. “The number one priority was ample space,” says Jolin, “but we were also able to splurge on some material selections.” On the exterior, Jolin opted for cedar shingles to “integrate seamlessly into the vernacular of the neighborhood.” Because of the site ordinance and setbacks—the Shoreland Overlay Zone line runs through the property, meaning the front and back of the house had to abide by separate sets of rules—Jolin and her team had to be precise about what went where. “Calculations were completed down to the individual bluestone stepping stones,” she says. Because the parcel of land was a corner lot, every side of the house needed to appear equally presentable. “It’s a busy little neighborhood, and we had to be conscious of that,” says Geoffrey Bowley. “The house is not tucked back on a five-acre parcel out in the woods. You have to be conscientious about that with your mechanics and your utilities. There’s no back of the house to hide things. Just about every side is observable.” To welcome visitors, Jolin created a side porch and entrance that opens into the “sand room,” which the Bridgers can use for everyday comings and goings. Located next to the laundry room (so guests can grab towels easily) and an outdoor shower (for kids to rinse off their sandy feet), this practical addition helps keep cleaning to a minimum.

In addition to the side porch entry, the house has a street-facing entrance and a water-facing door. This final portal is located underneath the standout feature of the exterior: a dramatic, curved second-story deck that overlooks the ocean. “The builders really embraced the execution there,” says Jolin. The deck features carved mahogany railings that sit atop a wall that is half cedar shingles and half cable railing, so that “the people from the street can’t tell what color your flip-flops are, but you can still see out to the ocean.” For Bowley’s crew, this element was a welcome challenge. “Anytime you build anything where you are trying to take a straight piece of wood and develop a curve, it gets tricky. That goes for any home,” Bowley says. “In this instance, we took larger pieces and then cut the curve into them.” To create continuity, the front door is also made from mahogany, subtly contrasting with the cool-toned shingles and the white trim. For the patios and walkways, landscape architect David Maynes chose bluestone, which he calls “a good budget option.” He says, “We floated paving and larger plantings so that it felt more like a ledge. We didn’t want it to feel like a paved walkway, but an organic ledge. We were conscious of being cost effective.” Surrounded by native grasses and successional plantings, the house looks at home on the peninsula, and not too polished.

Of course, this was the intention. “Informal” was one of the keywords the homeowners gave to their team of architects and craftspeople at the beginning of the process. This is particularly evident inside, where stone, wood, and simple forms dominate. The overall look is classic coastal with a modern twist, as evidenced by the stacked stone fireplace and the shiplap on the staircase. The couple was “prodded” to go in a streamlined and contemporary direction when it came to lighting and cabinet fixtures. “We’re both in our mid-70s, and we’ve lived in the same house in Concord for 45 years,” says Mary. “It took a little time to get used to the modern choices.” But, Paul adds, they’re glad they were flexible. “I like how the first floor feels Zen-like,” he says. As the house ascends, each floor gets more casual than the last. The second-floor bedrooms all feature white oak flooring and walnut furniture. A kitchenette allows guests to cook their own meals after hours, and the deck has proved a great success during family gatherings. The third floor is where the grandkids go to play and, Paul jokes, is “all designed around Ping-Pong.”

“We didn’t want anything frou frou,” says Mary. With smart appliances (controlled by both the homeowners and their son), the Maine house is “low-maintenance, easy, and secure.” So far, it’s held up beautifully to the winter storms, and their grandkids have no complaints about spending their summers by the Atlantic. “We knew we were building a house in a good location, but for me, the joy is about having a lot of family here, together, in this big open space,” says Paul. “And being in this neighborhood. It’s a very friendly, relaxed neighborhood, and we love walking around. On the family side, and on the local side, those are joyful things.”