High Head Cottage

Harpswell is a seacoast town made up of several large islands connected via bridges to the mainland and more than 200 smaller islands accessible only by boat. Much of the town is made up of small villages with beautiful views and quiet woodlands by the water. High above Harpswell Sound sits High Head, a bluff with dramatic and expansive views across the sound out to Casco Bay. While its steep grades and ledge-filled soils can make it less desirable to build on, the spectacular views make it worthwhile.

Our clients from Washington, D.C., have ties to Maine and have been entranced by the rugged coastline and waterways that lead to the ocean since they first experienced them many years ago. Their site provided access to this coastline, along with a number of challenges and opportunities.

Over time, exposure to strong winds had almost completely cleared the site of standing trees. This site-specific detail guided our design approach and orientation of the home. Using the existing grades and building the home into the site allowed entry at the peak of the property and elevated panoramic views as you move from north to south toward the water. The homeowners are avid gardeners, so providing a direct connection to the landscape as well as an area of respite from the winds were critical. The walkout basement, with a garden closet and slate tile floors, creates that link to the outdoors and leads to a small patio area surrounded by plantings. This provides a warm sun pocket protected by the home and perfect for relaxing in the afternoon after a morning spent in the gardens.

On the first floor, guests arrive at the entry, which is adjacent to the formal dining room and offers views through the home to the water beyond. The view pulls you into the living space and leads to the large sliding doors of a screened porch perched above the landscape, with exposed whitewashed fir beams and red cedar decking. Through the kitchen, the master bedroom suite is set high above the landscape as well, with a windowed corner providing incredible views of the sound. A private guest suite with a full bath for aging guests is also included on the first floor.

A stair off the kitchen with large ganged windows provides light and air circulation through the house as it leads to the second floor where two bedrooms, a shared bath, and an office provide plenty of space for visiting family and friends.

In collaboration with the homeowners, we were able to work with a site that at first glance appeared inhospitable to shape a new home that will provide this couple with space to gather with guests and enjoy the natural splendor that High Head offers.

Project Completion Date: 2016

Photography:

Rachel Sieben Photography

Collaborators:

- Contractor: Thorner Building Corp.
- Structural Engineer: Albert Putnam Associates
- Landscape Architect: Callahan + LeBleu Landscape Architects