northeast harbor, maine
The challenge presented was to transform an undistinguished one storey mid-century bungalow into a coastal cottage reminiscent of local 19th century prototypes. Restrictions disallowed any increase of the existing footprint, so inspiration came from diminutive, fanciful examples of the shingle style, including gate and carriage houses. The design solution resisted common attitudes toward historicism and architecture, which encourage expression of the contemporary when historic styles are referenced. This house instead sought to create a consistent, non-ironic sense of place, appropriate for summer life, simply and richly lived.
Photography © Brian Vanden Brink
