description
In an unorthodox project, we were tasked with the creation of a working master plan, as well as architectural designs, for the build-out of a family camp, hobby farm, and guest retreat located in the woods of rural Maine. The client, a local friend with a ‘do it yourself’ mindset and a passion for ecological planning, wanted to ensure that the primary gathering structure, five cabin sites, various camping areas, horticultural footprints and all of the associated access requirements were sited efficiently and sensitively. As such, the success of this project was contingent upon larger, site-scale thinking, taking many contextual factors into account.
In addition to reviewing topography, soils, and town ordinance in reference to the client’s ambitious goals, we adopted a permacultural lens for the site analysis - zones of use and scale of permanence both played pivotal roles in the process at a schematic level. The resulting development plan, which is gradually being implemented as of 2024, includes all of the programming mentioned above in addition to a wood-fired sauna, fire pits, and an outdoor kitchen nestled within rolling meadows, woodlands, and agricultural plots.
The architectural work is being constructed in a phased approach, beginning with a timber framed platform designed and built by our friends at Peak Timberworks. This initial timber structure will be infilled with an architecturally designed four season cabin, to allow the client to establish a year round home base on the property which is protected from the elements. Over time, this timber framed structure will become the site’s primary permanent dwelling. As is typical of our process, much consideration went into material sourcing, assembly durability, and the potential for passive heating and water collection.
insights
Piecemeal Growth
Being a remote property several hours from the client’s primary residence, it was necessary to design the process by which the design would be implemented with the highest chance of success. In taking stock of the client’s scheduling constraints and ability to devote time and energy to the build-out, we landed on an approach which allows for piecemeal growth and works with existing resources as much as possible.
In conducting the phased design and construction process for the first dwelling on site, as mentioned above, additional refinements can be made as the forthcoming gathering structure and cabins are constructed. The result of this process is an architectural response which is sensitive to the client’s actual needs, and one which can sit gently on the landscape.
Enclosure
Enclosure study text.
Step 3
Timber Frame Design Builder: Peak Timberworks
In an unorthodox project, we were tasked with the creation of a working master plan, as well as architectural designs, for the build-out of a family camp, hobby farm, and guest retreat located in the woods of rural Maine. The client, a local friend with a ‘do it yourself’ mindset and a passion for ecological planning, wanted to ensure that the primary gathering structure, five cabin sites, various camping areas, horticultural footprints and all of the associated access requirements were sited efficiently and sensitively. As such, the success of this project was contingent upon larger, site-scale thinking, taking many contextual factors into account.
In addition to reviewing topography, soils, and town ordinance in reference to the client’s ambitious goals, we adopted a permacultural lens for the site analysis - zones of use and scale of permanence both played pivotal roles in the process at a schematic level. The resulting development plan, which is gradually being implemented as of 2024, includes all of the programming mentioned above in addition to a wood-fired sauna, fire pits, and an outdoor kitchen nestled within rolling meadows, woodlands, and agricultural plots.
The architectural work is being constructed in a phased approach, beginning with a timber framed platform designed and built by our friends at Peak Timberworks. This initial timber structure will be infilled with an architecturally designed four season cabin, to allow the client to establish a year round home base on the property which is protected from the elements. Over time, this timber framed structure will become the site’s primary permanent dwelling. As is typical of our process, much consideration went into material sourcing, assembly durability, and the potential for passive heating and water collection.