Coppertop
PROJECT TAGS
LOCATION
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
BUILDER
PHOTOGRAPHY
Cost
Year
The spectacular site of spruce and ledges rolling down to the sound has southwesterly views. The building’s form nests into the hillside on the high side and flies as the site drops away, enabling a daylight basement.
Grown from the site.. that was the primary directive from the client for this year around retreat on Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island.
Cost-Effective Yet Timeless
A driving objective was to be cost-effective but to use timeless, low-maintenance materials. Siding is hand-split western red cedar shakes with red cedar trim, and Marvin Integrity windows, to work on a budget.
Durable and Low-Maintenance Selections
The building materials were chosen for their durability and low maintenance. Copper sheathing was used for the roof, while the siding and trim were crafted from hand-split western red cedar. Marvin Integrity windows were selected for their quality and budget-friendliness, ensuring the home remains cost-effective while using timeless materials.
Simple, Elegant Form With Expansive Views
The 5 bedroom program was split, with 2 bedrooms pushed to either end (and one in the daylight basement) framing the public spaces (entry/living/dining/kitchen) in the middle, maximizing light and views. The entry sequence begins high, looking over the copper roof toward the water. As one enters the building, there is a layered view through the building, to water.
Internally, the plan steps down, flowing with the site’s contours. This enables the uppermost bedroom to exit to grade, onto the ledges. As the building begins to fly, the center living/dining room has a deck that extends toward the water. The plan continues to step down and into the daylight basement at the low point. Granite steps then follow the grade down to the shore.
Integrating the Home With the Natural Landscape
The primary challenge was to design a home that seamlessly blends into the natural landscape of spruce and ledges, while also taking full advantage of the southwesterly views. The house needed to nest into the hillside on the high side and extend as the site drops away, all while maintaining a simple, cost-effective structure that feels like a natural extension of the environment.
The Results
The result was a simple form (essentially a rectangle), with a single plane / shed roof, opening up and out to the light and views, sheathed in copper.. a simple gesture with quality materials.
