Coastal Home

Coastal House

Overlooking the ocean on a spectacular site in coastal Maine, this project involved the complete renovation of and addition to an existing modern residence originally constructed in 1962 that had fallen into disrepair. The clients for this project inherited the house from a beloved aunt, who was active in the local Ogunquit arts community. Their previous exposure to design had been mostly with more typical New England colonial homes. However, they wanted to honor the memory and spirit of their aunt, so the entire family became engaged in the project – and in the challenge of preserving the character of the original home, an iconic mid-century modern design, while adapting it to the needs of a new generation.

Part of that challenge came from the need to expand of the home, designed for two people, to accommodate a family of six and many expected guests. A new upper level addition provided room for a large new master bedroom suite and free space on the ground floor for additional bedrooms. A new glazed corner maximizes views to the water and links the three floors vertically, offering a counterpoint to the strong horizontal lines of the home.  The exterior decks provide deep overhangs to protect from the summer sun (and allowing passive heating in winter months), while extending the strata of the various floors above the rocky outcroppings of the Maine coastline. Site work removed much impervious surfaces including an existing asphalt drive that was replaced with permeable grass paving, substantially reducing the existing impervious surface area.

Special consideration was taken in the selection of materials for this project. The exterior finishes; cedar siding, pau lope decking, Maine-made high-performance insulating teak windows and doors, and stainless steel railings were chosen to weather the harsh ocean environment. These exterior materials continued into the interior with cedar siding for coved ceilings and walls and cable rails in the main stair. Low VOC and formaldehyde-free materials, including natural cotton rugs, help maintain the indoor air quality. Passive cooling and natural ventilation, provided by operable windows, lift/slide doors, and a whole house fan, maintain indoor comfort with minimal energy expenditure. The dynamic enhancement of the 1960s home and sustainable approach allowed the project to tread lightly on the coastal environment.