Baird Architects crafted a family compound on Mount Desert Island, featuring two houses – House 7, a new structure, and House 9, a renovated mid-century pavilion. The project, commissioned for year-round family gatherings, blends minimalist design with environmental sensitivity, preserving the island’s architectural heritage. House 9, designed by Richard Homer in 1965, underwent meticulous renovation, retaining its original features and adding a three-bedroom pavilion connected by a glass bridge. House 7, a contemporary construction adjacent to House 9, incorporates solar panels, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. Both houses prioritize passive cooling, insulation, and indigenous landscaping, showcasing a harmonious blend of modernism and local aesthetics. The project earned the AIA Maine 2022 Merit for Excellence in Architecture Award.
These architecturally stunning houses by Baird Architects on Mount Desert Island include House 7, a new construction, and House 9, a renovated mid-century pavilion. The project, commissioned for year-round family gatherings, seamlessly merges minimalist design with environmental consciousness. House 9, designed by Richard Homer in 1965, underwent careful restoration, preserving its original features and expanding with a three-bedroom pavilion linked by a glass bridge. House 7, situated next to House 9, boasts contemporary architecture with a solar array, showcasing a commitment to sustainability. Both houses prioritize passive cooling, insulation, and native landscaping, exemplifying a successful synthesis of modernism and local architectural tradition. The project’s excellence was acknowledged with the prestigious AIA Maine 2022 Merit for Excellence in Architecture Award.
Project name: Mount Desert Island Family Compound
Architecture firm: Baird Architects
Location: Mount Desert Island, Maine, USA
Photography: Elizabeth Felicella
Principal architect: Matthew Baird
Design team: Matthew Baird, Principal. Teresa Ball, Principal. Florence Schmitt, Associate. Alice Chai, Associate. Pius Aebi, Project Architect
Collaborators: Chris Parsons, General Contractor
Interior design: Brockshmidt & Coleman
