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Lakeside Retreat
This lakeside cottage on Damariscotta Lake in Newcastle, draws strongly from the Shingle Style tradition, expressed through its continuous wood shingle cladding, asymmetrical massing, and rooflines. The steeply pitched gables, punctuated by dormers, create a layered vertical composition that gives the house a sense of both height and informality. The green trim sharply outlines windows, railings, and structural edges, emphasizing the building’s geometry while also tying it visually to the surrounding fir tree landscape. A prominent wraparound porch and elevated deck extend the living space outward, reinforcing the Shingle Style emphasis on leisure and connection to nature.
The siting of the house is carefully adapted to a sloped, rocky lakeside terrain. The structure steps down with the topography, using a raised foundation and terrace to negotiate the grade change while preserving views outward toward the water. Stone piers and a partially exposed lower level anchor the building to the site, creating a visual and material transition between architecture and landscape. The surrounding fir and pine trees act as a natural backdrop, softening the building’s edges and integrating it into its environment. Overall, the design balances rustic informality with deliberate compositional order, making the cottage feel both grounded in place and responsive to its scenic setting.
- PROJECT ARCHITECT: Phelps Architects
- Location: Newcastle, Maine