Ledge House

Ledge House

This house, located on a gentle south facing slope and marked by a large feldspar outcropping, attempts to fuse vernacular form with a modern sensibility. The house is bordered on the east by old apple trees remnant of one of the earliest settlements on the Maine coast known locally as Newtown.

The house is oriented to true south and takes advantage of sunlight throughout the day. The kitchen is in the east and open to the dining room, living room and concrete fireplace on the west. Outdoor rooms at either end extend the dimension of the house in warmer weather.

The L of the plan creates an entry courtyard and captures afternoon light. The foundation is formed directly on stone ledge with 2×8 board forms reused in turn to form a highly insulated balloon frame exterior wall system. The poured concrete floor encases radiant tubing and allows the entire first floor to act either as radiator or heat sink.  The poured concrete is a visual link to the once molten granite plinth outdoors. Solar hot water collectors on the southeast corner of the roof  actively supplement the passive solar gains.

General Contractor: Ruff & Daughter