The Barn-Door Studio
A new studio and guest space is carefully integrated beside the existing main house, nestled amongst a cluster of surrounding buildings, replacing a dilapidated carriage-house and extending how the property can be used and enjoyed.
The design responds to the client’s desire for additional space for a studio and guests, new views to the otherwise obscured ocean beyond, and access to sheltered outdoor entertaining. Inspired by the traditional New England materials and building techniques, the project reinterprets the local vernacular in a contemporary way – celebrating the new building while preserving the memory of the original carriage-house through the reuse of the existing materials and elements, including the iconic barn-doors.
Framed views to take in the ocean and sunset for the first time, which are created using an inverted programmatic design – living spaces and studio at the upper levels – while new meaningful relationships are constructed at ground with raised decks and a screened-in-porch – offering a sequence of outdoor spaces for looking-out and gathering within.
The project was featured on the cover of Maine Home and Design with the featured story Small but Mighty.
Location:
Maine, USA
size:
936 sq.ft / 87 sq.m
status:
completed 2021
