Nestled within a serene coastal enclave in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Kevin Browne Architecture has created an energy-efficient, modern farmhouse. Offering unobstructed vistas of the enveloping marshland, the site’s gentle grassy slope and absence of trees served as a perfect canvas.

Originally from Texas, the homeowners sought a blend of innovation and simplicity for their new dwelling. A modern interpretation of the farmhouse style was envisioned. The architect’s goal throughout this project was to blur indoor / outdoor boundaries, the home, and its surroundings.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Kevin Browne Architecture BUILDER Redfern Homes ENGINEER Structural Integrity Inc.

The result is a series of white clapboard gable forms — beginning small at the garage end of the house and increase in size toward the main part of the house. The symmetrical gables converge at a flat-roofed “transept,” adorned in stained cedar T&G siding to offer a visual counterpoint.

Simple pitched roofs and generously spaced clapboards amplifies the modern aesthetic throughout the dwelling. The windows were minimal, with a higher U-value for better efficiency, and lower maintenance. Special attention was paid to the structure’s thermal envelope, ensuring a high R-value insulation to decrease thermal bridging.

The interior is clean and simple with drywall returns at the window and door openings and discreet wood window sills in lieu of other alternatives that might’ve taken away from the natural beauty in the distance.

Soaring interior ceilings, expansive windows, and sliding doors further emphasize the setting and eliminate barriers between indoor and outdoor living, so that the patios and terraces are an extension of the indoor living space.

From most vantage points of the open main level, you can spot a floating steel and wood stairway, a focal point of the design. At the top of the stairs is a steel and wood catwalk that bridges the interior space of the two main gable forms.

What We Love: This modern interpretation of a farmhouse is simple, clean, functional, durable, and super energy efficient. We are loving the exterior facade of this home and the beautiful natural surroundings. Inside, an open floor plan boasts light and airy living spaces with soaring ceilings and large walls of glazing that frame breathtaking views. Overall, the team did a wonderful job of creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection, inviting nature inside.

Tell Us: What elements do you find most appealing in the design of this dwelling? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of Maine: A 570 square foot steel cabin immersed in a beautiful Maine forest and Beautiful coastal Maine home envisioned for idyllic summer getaways.

PHOTOGRAPHER Jeff Roberts