meadow house
southwest harbor, maine
A very small, affordable house for two photographers with deep emphasis on energy-efficiency and durability.
The owners had lived several years in a not so well-built house and had grown weary of the maintenance and heating costs. So, affordability, initial and on-going, was the mantra for this 1,600 s.f., three bedroom house located atop a hill overlooking the harbor in the town of Southwest Harbor.
Two bedrooms are used as studio workspace and occupied throughout the day as both owners work from home. If the baby-boomer generation owners find climbing stairs undesirable, they can convert the large first floor studio into a bedroom and enjoy the benefits of single floor living.
Construction costs were controlled by building a small house within very simple, efficient volumes. The thermal envelope (foundation, walls and roof/attic) employed common materials and methods to yield “pretty good” thermal resistance and air-tightness. Smart, durable materials inside and out will minimize maintenance and upkeep for decades. A solar hot water system meets an estimated 70% of the occupants’ need.