Tucked deep on a natural site at the edge of town, this house is a “birdhouse”, overlooking a wetland basin, busy with birdlife. Entry is made by way of a screened-in porch on the side facing the wetlands.  Here, a sheltered front door opens into the Great room – a simple space for Living and Dining with a cozy Inglenook and fireplace beyond.  Inspired by a simple working “boat shop”, the space centers along the main axis with French doors at both North and South ends. The ceiling height modulates from lower at the Living and Inglenook, with the Master bedroom suite above, to higher at the Dining area with bedrooms above.

A limestone floor, leading from the Entry to the Kitchen, provides a thermal mass inside the tall French doors - giving pets a prime spot for a nap. Open exposures on three sides of the Great room are made possible by an efficient, service core of stairs and bathrooms that parallel the neighboring fence.     

The core generates the Kitchen wing, a lower gable roof-form that extends forward from the house gable, offering lateral, wetland views and forming a gravel, entry court.  Exposed timber frame, structural elements blend with interior walls for an understated, tectonic authenticity of old meets new. 

CREDITS

Architectural design and Interiors:  PAMA
Landscape Design: PAMA Construction manager: 
PAMA Construction: Bill Obremski General Contracting
Photography: Anton Grassl