Ledge House
Theodore + Theodore Architects
ARCHITECTS
Theodore + Theodore Architects
YEAR
2014
LOCATION
United States
CATEGORY
Houses
Text description provided by architect.
Located on an island, at the mouth of the Kennebec River, the house faces south with views of the surrounding bay and the ocean.
The main house and guest house are connected by a screen porch which frames initial views of the water. The two building are tied together by a deck and form a series of indoor and outdoor rooms which engage the surrounding landscape.
A bridge at the second floor connects to the exposed ledge that rises behind the house to the north.
An exterior stair leads to the roof terrace that acts as a water collector, and a platform for solar electric panels mounted on angled frames.
The roof terrace is combination of wood deck and green roof.
The 3 kw solar electric panels are grid-tied by an underwater electric cable.
The house has high performance Loewen windows and a tight and highly insulated thermal envelop.
All materials were brought to the site by water and landed on the beach below. The steel frame sits directly on feldspar ledge. The approach to the house is from the water to the south and the over the island from the east.
The interior is a combination of exposed fir beams and spruce decking at the ceiling and plaster walls. The exterior is clad in cedar boards and copper which are intended to weather naturally and blend into the landscape.
