An age old tradition here in Maine is to head “up ta camp” in summers. Many have a small, very rustic cottage right on one of the many lakes dotting our landscape. Oftentimes Mainers like to DIY (Do It Yourself) and build a rudimentary structure a step up from camping out, which may or may not have indoor plumbing. It gets them away from home with a short drive and offers relaxing days right on the water for swimming and boating.
When they come to me for help, it is usually to navigate shoreland codes or solve a tricky roof configuration. I often get small jobs adding onto existing homes or camps, such as the one featured in this issue. Maine codes have evolved since earlier days, requiring greater setbacks from the water and rendering existing camps as “non-conforming.” Various towns have slightly different ways to handle any additions or alterations to a non-conforming structure.
Here’s wishing you a fun-filled summer with time on a shore for cooling relief. If you find yourself wanting to improve your shoreline facility, I can lead you through the hoops. Contact me!
Addition to a Cabin on a Lake by Spurling Design
Back in 2018 a couple approached me to help them plan an addition to their camp one of Maine’s “ponds” that is really the size of a lake. This serene location offered relaxed living, boating, water skiing, and swimming for 3/4 of the year.
Because the original structure was built closer than 75 feet from shore it was subject to limitations on additions. Codes will usually limit additions to such structures to no more than 30% of the original volume and no portion of the addition can go closer to the shoreline than the existing. In this case, this town allowed our project a maximum of 1000 square feet, which comes to about a 48% addition.
The existing camp had an open deck, exposing one to rainfall and black flies and mosquitoes. The entrance door opened into a narrow hall — not the most welcoming introduction. A tiny window above the door lit a sleeping loft. The only bedroom was too small to have a closet.
The addition expanded the existing bedroom, added a second bedroom, and a screened-in porch. The approach to the camp now turns one to the view by entering the porch before turning to the entrance. Then a tall light well capped by a clearstory roof creates a light filled entry — even though it is no wider than the hall — it announces entrance and enhances the existing hall. These were all moves that added delight as well as function to the camp experience.
We also reorganized the bathroom and utility/ laundry to function more efficiently and allow greater freedom of movement. All the major spaces splay from the clear-story and their roofs slope up to create 3 sides of it while the existing peak abuts the 4th side. It becomes the energizer for the home. Then the screened-in porch becomes the fair weather gathering place.
Spurling Design renovated and added to a small 3 season cabin on a lake, paying special attention to the views, entry sequence, and efficiency of core bathroom/ utility spaces.
Bringing 673 square feet up to 1000 square feet, we highlighted the entry with a tall light well and draped the new spaces under roofs like an umbrella.
A new screened-in porch takes full advantage of the water view and invites you to the entrance.
The clearstory offers a dramatic light filled introduction to the home and light into the existing sleeping loft.
The whole form now reminds one of a lighthouse or a boat.
“Enjoy life. There’s plenty of time to be dead.”
Hans Christian Andersen
