This stunning year-round coastal home designed by Kevin Browne Architecture boasts an almost 360-degree view of the surrounding coastline in Harpswell, a seacoast town in Cumberland County, Maine. Originally the homeowners were going to add a second floor to their existing cape-style house along with a full-scale renovation. Instead, they opted to rebuild, constructing this home on piers to celebrate the natural Maine coast.

The project team focused on traditional, natural finishes for the interior and exterior material selections. A sleek and modern design approach was taken for the overall form and layout of the structure. With a compact allowable footprint, each programmatic element was thoughtfully designed to maximize useable space while capturing sweeping views of the sea. Continue below to see the rest of this spectacular home tour…

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Kevin Browne Architecture BUILDER Wright Ryan Homes

The homeowners had resided in the former house, so they understood what worked well and what they wished to have enhanced with their new build on the same site. The newly constructed home was created to improve conformance with local regulations while thinking ahead for future climate change. Creating a well-insulated home on a site of this exposure was a must.

The owners also desired improved visual access to the road so they could see approaching guests from the main level, an open-concept living space for lounging and entertaining, and a more functional arrangement of bedrooms and bathrooms. The new design was custom-tailored to meet the owner’s lifestyle needs.

A highlight of the early construction process, the pre-existing home was relocated in one piece to be lived in at a new location by a new owner, with the whole neighborhood gathering to view the old house and shed being moved by a barge. As rewarding as this was, it added another level of complexity to the project’s construction.

Through several iterations of design, a major energy code update just ahead of construction, and multiple unexpected additional hurdles, there were many points in time where the project could have been indefinitely shelved. However, throughout the entire process, the owners remained steadfast in their vision and support of the design process. Ultimately, this gorgeous modern home was built to celebrate the site.

The fireplace and stone-clad chimney surround were a principal design element that helped anchor the house onto the site, while the concrete piers below were clad and screened in a natural mahogany to offer additional grounding. An existing shed on the property was reimagined to complement the new dwelling, offering a small storage and gym space, while soaking in breathtaking ocean views.

What We Love: This coastal Maine home was newly constructed so the homeowners could live in their dream location while meeting their lifestyle needs. The new home helps to better frame the breathtaking seaside views while bringing in an abundance of natural light courtesy of the expansive walls of glazing. Overall, we love the new design, especially the living room with its beautiful stone-clad fireplace and sliding glass doors that provide convenient access to the deck, where steps lead down to the beach.

Tell Us: What details in the design of this seaside home do you find most intriguing? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Check out a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of Maine: Step into a stunning beach cottage amidst the coastal Maine sand dunes and This camp-like cabin offers a peaceful refuge in the woods of Maine.

PHOTOGRAPHER Jeff Roberts Imaging