Our client aimed to revitalize a dilapidated island cottage site and create an energy-efficient collection of buildings for living, gathering, and connecting with the small island community in Casco Bay, Maine. The house came first, providing an anchor for the owner’s new full-time island life. Historically, island cottages began as modest gable forms for fishermen. As families expanded, porches were added, then gradually infilled to meet evolving needs. We aimed to capture a similar aesthetic, without the expense of time. Our client wanted a home that sat well with the modest neighboring dwellings yet embraced contemporary living.