Project Description
Renovating an older home with constraints that the historic
elements remain can be a challenge for any remodeler, especially when the
homeowners are looking for a greater connection to the outdoors. This home was originally
built in 1849, and according to historic district requirements the parts of the
house visible from the road needed to remain historically consistent.
Elliot
and Elliot Architecture and Jon D. Woodward & Sons added functionality
while respecting the original structure by salvaging an unfinished barn
connected to the property via an ell and reinforcing its structural framework. The
team added more living space by moving the kitchen from the main house into the
barn, which now has three floors, with a gallery space on the second floor. A
low-profile skylight embedded in the ceiling provides natural light throughout
the second-floor gallery space and shines directly onto the kitchen island on
the first floor.
The street-facing side of the barn is filled with
steel-framed glass panels that can be covered by sliding wooden doors for
privacy. The stairs are positioned directly behind these windows, providing access
to all three floors. At night, the large windows allow the interior light to
shine out onto the lawn. Toward the back of the house, contemporary design
elements are more visible. Two large bump-outs provide an updated take on traditional
bay windows, allowing the interior to interact with the outside gardens, and large
steel-framed windows create an opening into the kitchen. Inside, the designers
opted for a modern design, keeping everything clean and minimal.
The completed project manages to update the interior of the
home without sacrificing the classic 19th century Maine architecture
and even updates and incorporates the barn that had been abandoned.