The existing ranch on a small property, on the banks of a tidal river in Brunswick, Maine, was neglected, cramped, and composting. A tear-down/rebuild was the clear choice. The client's goals were to create a modest, bright, comfortable, sustainable and energy efficient new camp on a tight budget that could be enjoyed year round and make the most of the natural beauty of the site.

The result is a 1090 sf, single level, two bedroom dwelling. Zoning constraints on the rebuild forced a creative approach to forming the new structure's volume. A traditional gabled roof would have exceeded the allowable volume, so instead we warped a flat roof. Laying the roof flat and low at the private/sleeping end of the building we create a cozy private space, and by tipping it up toward the river we maximize the water views and south light in the public/living space.

The majority of the the materials used in the structure were sourced from local mills and quarries, both new and repurposed, to keep the ecological footprint relatively small. The planted roof seemed to be a self-evident choice to blend with the beauty of the site and to maximize the already super insulated building envelope.