This project called for the renovation of a single-family home built in 1907. Like many homes of this vintage, it had seen many updates and additions over the years, though none of these tackled the project in a cohesive way. The primary challenge was to tie previous work together harmoniously, improve efficiency, and provide clear spatial organization while respecting the soul of the historic home.
A new structural system was designed to replace the load bearing walls which divided the house in two, allowing for a connected kitchen, dining, and living space. Spatial delineation and warmth was achieved through highlighting the new structural system itself via restrained ornament and up-lighting, forming gentle thresholds between functional zones.
This psychological and physical warmth was further extended by replacing all of the windows and doors with efficient wood clad products, which open out to a redesigned three season porch, entry deck, and back deck. These transitional elements serve to link the interior to the exterior allowing the clients to enjoy the beautiful Maine climate through out the year.
Structural Rework
The original home from 1907 relied on a field stone foundation and rough-cut wood framed walls to support the weight of the building. Since there were no beams or columns to speak of, each space was separated by a load bearing wall, limiting the spatial flow through the interior. Our first move was to replace these loadbearing walls with LVL beams in order to create a more open floor plan. Additionally, the structural columns supporting the existing entry deck, porch, and back deck were discovered to be undersized and in disrepair. Capitalizing on the necessity of replacing them, the new design expanded both decks and opened up the porch significantly.
Bridging Interior and Exterior
Enjoying the dramatic change of seasons from the outdoors is one of the most delightful experiences we all share as New Englanders. Though many of us chase this beauty from the magnificent peaks of the White Mountains of the rocky coasts of Maine, curating glimpses of this connection to the outdoors from one’s own home is of vital importance to our own health and wellbeing. To capture this notion, the proposal sought to bridge interior and exterior by means of a screened porch and two flanking exterior decks. A three-season screen system includes clear vinyl panels that can be installed over a traditional insect screen to block the wind during colder months, granting usability to the spaces even when the temperatures drop. Combined with a full glass patio door and sliding window, this multiuse space is an extension of the interior, and a transitional space to the full exposure of the exterior decks.
Connections Through the Abstract
So much of the project was about establishing a connection between a historical home and the beautiful landscape of Maine. For the prominent central art piece, we wanted to reflect this notion of connection to the local environment. We commissioned the uniquely talented watercolor artist Tiffani Erdmanczyk to develop a piece that captures the majesty of New England foliage. Her painting delivers a layered and textural abstraction which begs one to simply breathe and take in the colors. In this way, the generous windows are not the only item connecting the space to the landscape. Click the image below to check out more of Tiffani's work.
Builder: Cousins Co
Siding and Roofing: Summit Exteriors
Mechanical Systems: Revision Energy
Structural Engineering: L&L Structural
This project called for the renovation of a single-family home built in 1907. Like many homes of this vintage, it had seen many updates and additions over the years, though none of these tackled the project in a cohesive way. The primary challenge was to tie previous work together harmoniously, improve efficiency, and provide clear spatial organization while respecting the soul of the historic home.
A new structural system was designed to replace the load bearing walls which divided the house in two, allowing for a connected kitchen, dining, and living space. Spatial delineation and warmth was achieved through highlighting the new structural system itself via restrained ornament and up-lighting, forming gentle thresholds between functional zones.
This psychological and physical warmth was further extended by replacing all of the windows and doors with efficient wood clad products, which open out to a redesigned three season porch, entry deck, and back deck. These transitional elements serve to link the interior to the exterior allowing the clients to enjoy the beautiful Maine climate through out the year.