Houzz Tours
Modern Architecture
A Modern Wood-and-Concrete Cabin in Coastal Maine
Light-filled interiors and rugged nature views create a unique summer vacation home
When a young family wanted to build a summer house on Maine’s rugged and unspoiled coast, they found acreage near where the husband had spent many carefree vacations as a child. Wanting that same unfettered experience of playing in the woods and on the shore for their own children, the couple asked architects Russ Tyson and Tom Lane to create a simple vacation home that treads lightly on the land and connects with the natural setting.
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An aerial view reveals the home’s siting on the property, which is dense with spruce, pine and birch. The architects planned a U-shaped residence, with the entry and kitchen on the left, the living and dining rooms in the center and the bedroom wing on the right.
The living and dining wing faces an open bay, while the bedrooms face a quieter, calmer cove. For now, there is no garage. Instead, the owners park at the end of the drive and walk down a path to the home. “The owners love walking through the sun-shaded woods and moss-covered understory that feels like something out of ‘The Lord of the Rings’,” says architect Russ Tyson. “As you get closer to the house, the site gets brighter and brighter until you reach the water’s edge and everything opens up.”
The living and dining wing faces an open bay, while the bedrooms face a quieter, calmer cove. For now, there is no garage. Instead, the owners park at the end of the drive and walk down a path to the home. “The owners love walking through the sun-shaded woods and moss-covered understory that feels like something out of ‘The Lord of the Rings’,” says architect Russ Tyson. “As you get closer to the house, the site gets brighter and brighter until you reach the water’s edge and everything opens up.”
The rugged exterior is meant to withstand Maine’s weather and the seaside locale. Vertical eastern hemlock cladding — a native wood that was milled locally — and board-formed concrete are simple, handsome materials that help link the house to the site. “We designed the home to be rugged on the outside but warm and nurturing inside,” Lane says. The courtyard formed by the three wings was revegetated with native plantings, including birch trees.
Off a mulch path, stairs lead up to the front door, located in the two-level tower-like area of the house that includes the entry and, above it, a home office with access to a roof deck.
A glass bridge that offers views of the woodsy site connects the entry with the kitchen.
The architects kept the materials simple inside, using eastern white pine for the ceiling and walls, and southern yellow pine for the flooring. The layout and window placement allow family members to see each other even when they are in the separate wings. In the entry bridge, which has a view of the bedroom hallway, a simple chair and ottoman provide a quiet spot for reading.
The living room board-formed concrete fireplace, which separates the living room from the dining area, is a monolithic element that starts below the house at grade as a structural element and continues through the roof as a chimney.
Interior designer Krista Stokes worked with the family to select simple, modern furnishings in neutral hues. A sheepskin-covered chair is a whimsical counterpoint to the clean lines of the sofa. “These clients referenced Icelandic and Nordic design when it came to the furniture selection,” Stokes says. “They are true minimalists. Everything had to have a purpose.”
Interior designer Krista Stokes worked with the family to select simple, modern furnishings in neutral hues. A sheepskin-covered chair is a whimsical counterpoint to the clean lines of the sofa. “These clients referenced Icelandic and Nordic design when it came to the furniture selection,” Stokes says. “They are true minimalists. Everything had to have a purpose.”
Like the living room on the other side of the fireplace, the dining area is part of what the architects call the “three-season porch,” a glassed-in space warmed by radiant-floor heating and the fireplace. The other wings of the house have more fully insulated walls for occasional winter visits. The dining table has leaves to accommodate dinners with family and friends.
The custom cabinetry and island made from Baltic birch plywood create a serene setting in the kitchen. Deep gray quartz countertops add contrast. Stokes used pillow covers atop modern metal barstools, which she says “add a surprise of comfort to the setting.”
A round table and classic Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs in the breakfast area are a counterpoint to the home’s straight lines. A vintage Icelandic rug underscores the setting. The home and its spaces were designed to follow the sun. The kitchen and breakfast room receive ample morning light, while the bedroom wing was sited for sunset views.
An airy hallway connects the bedrooms. Because of the home’s private setting, no window treatments are needed. Awning windows provide ventilation even during Maine’s frequent summer rains.
In the master bedroom, windows that wrap around the corner provide views of trees and sky. Unfussy bedding reiterates the home’s simple theme. “This project was a beautiful exercise in restraint,” Stokes says.
Furnishings in a child’s bedroom are timeless enough to go from school years to young adulthood. A table and chair provide a spot for studying during the academic year.
Baltic birch plywood cabinetry and porcelain tile flooring provide the backdrop for the master bathroom. A vintage rug adds warmth and pattern.
Above the entry, a built-in desk and floor-to-ceiling windows create a home office with an enviable view. Cabinetry holds the owners’ vinyl collection.
The home office also doubles as a family hangout, with a comfortable daybed for lounging and an area rug that adds splashes of color. Blacksmith Tim Greene crafted the metal steps up to a hatch that opens onto the roof deck.
A roof deck above the office allows the family a space to stargaze and camp out. The decking material is sturdy ipe wood, while standing-seam metal roofing covers the rest of the home.
A steel-cable railing system allows unobstructed views of the water from a deck off the living room.
A staircase from the deck leads down to the woods, the water and a gravel beach.
A view of the bedroom wing reflects the home’s treehouse design.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with young children
Location: Coastal Maine
Size: 2,950 square feet (274 square meters); 3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Architects: Russ Tyson and Tom Lane of Whitten Architects
Interior designer: Krista Stokes
Builder: Nate Holyoke Builders
Landscape contractor: Atlantic Landscape Construction
Designed as a rustic, modern cabin, the home hovers above the site on galvanized steel columns, creating a treehouse effect. “We recognized that lifting the house one story allowed for better views of the water,” says architect Tom Lane. “The ground below is solid granite, so there’s really nowhere to dig. We decided to let the site flow under the house.” One of the dwelling’s primary features is a glassed-in porch that includes the living and dining rooms.