Tidewatch

The home purchased by our clients was a classic four-square contemporary split-level with an octagonal center skylight, featuring sweeping tidal views of a small cove in Harpswell Maine. Though we were compelled by the uniqueness of the home’s character, the existing roof structure had failed. We explored saving the home, but with our clients’ program requirements, and a need for anticipated costs with limited variables, we decided to take advantage of the opportunities new construction presented.

Taking lessons from the existing structure’s site response, we worked with limited buildable square footage in thanks to increased setbacks required by the neighborhood covenants, and a bluff condition at the water’s edge. The determination of the lot restrictions set the course for the new design of the home.

The program requirements were extensive for the active couple and included a two-car garage, wood shop, greenhouse, home gym, office, rec space for ping pong and movies, two bedrooms, and two-and-a-half baths. Using the angles of the buildable area, we set the garage to the north with its wood shop and its south-facing greenhouse. Similar to the prior home, one enters at mid-level so that the main level, with its spectacular views, is only half a flight of stairs away from the garage and formal entry. The primary living area at level two makes use of the mono slope roof system with a high-volume interior space. The view of the cove demanded outdoor entertaining space with an ample deck that carefully skirted a specimen tree.

Making the most of a restricted property to meet the lifestyle needs of our clients is a common challenge, and one that the team worked hard at here.

The building form, with its simple roof geometry, met a high standard of air tightness, and the final blower door test achieved 0.21 air changes per hour at 50 pascals.