The owners of the previously described Island
House asked us to design a house for their children. They asked
it to be set up for two young families to visit together, with
a large kitchen and long dining table to accommodate parents
and other guests. Having waited for the completion of the Island
House and Barn, and landscape for over a year, they asked our
firm and the contractor, Cold Mountain Builders, to come up with
a strategy to get the project done in the shortest time possible,
avoiding the summer when they would be in residence. They also
asked for a more modern house that touched the ground lightly,
to minimize site work, and for it to be completely glazed on
the living level, open to the woods. Their interest in the drama
of cantilevered form resulted in a 20 ft. cantilevered deck and
30 ft. cantilevered entry bridge.
The result is a house that was largely prefabricated. The steel
frame, walls and floors made of structural insulated panels,
stainless steel deck panels, copper roof panels, and all millwork
were made off of the island. Construction time was reduced to
eight months. Karin Thomas of Camden chose colors and furnishings. |
