Coppertop
Grown from the site.. that was the primary directive from the client for this year around the retreat on Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island.
Project Details
Location:
Mount Desert Island, Maine
Structural Architects:
Will Winkelman
Builder:
John Vargis, Bar Harbor, Maine
Photography:
Jeff Roberts
Recognition
Project Requirements
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.
The Site
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.
Design Concepts
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 contours of the site. 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.
Challenges
- Cost-effectiveness while using timeless, low-maintenance materials.
- Working within a budget with hand-split western red cedar shakes, red cedar trim, and Marvin Integrity windows.
- Nesting the building into the hillside and enabling a daylight basement as the site drops away.
- Designing the plan to step down, following the contours of the site.
- Extending the center living/dining room deck as the building begins to fly toward the water.
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.
