A Light Filled Addition
The story on the addition
A growing family was bursting at the seams in their 1960s ranch house, but they were strongly attached to their large, wooded corner lot in a family-friendly neighborhood. Adding a primary suite and away spaces would let them continue to enjoy the location. They are an active, creative family: one owner is a professional artist, the other an avid musician, and all are drawn to the outdoors.
An existing bedroom was converted into a study that serves as circulation to a new den/guest room and a new primary suite, with a lower ‘away space’ for yoga, music, and art that provides a quiet retreat within the home. The plan is compact but feels open, with each space supporting multiple uses without feeling crowded, so daily routines can shift easily between work, rest, and creative pursuits.
Morning light was a priority, despite a northwest orientation, along with relief from the low ceilings elsewhere in the house. An integrated tower brings daylight deep into the plan from morning through evening, adds generous wall space for art, and creates a sense of being outdoors. A light shelf at the south-facing glazing bounces light onto the ceiling, washing the bedroom with a soft, even glow year-round.
On the exterior, the addition feels contemporary yet rooted. Its scale and proportions align with the original house, while the tower element hints at what’s behind. Angled soffits slope upward to a narrow fascia, visually lightening the tower roof. The walls are clad in Maine-sourced white cedar boards, naturally low-maintenance and left to weather gracefully.
The enclosure is high-performance and low-carbon, with key decisions made early to simplify construction and manage cost: R-60 dense-packed cellulose in rafters, R-25 cellulose in 2x8 walls, and a crawlspace insulated with R-20 polyisocyanurate and EPS. Airtightness tested at 0.17 ACH50, well below the Passive House standard. Heating and cooling are via a mini-split heat pump, with balanced ventilation through an ERV.
This project won first place in Maine Green and Healthy Maine Home’s inaugural design competition in the renovations/additions category. (Greenmainehomes2025 Awards - A Light Filled Addition | Green & Healthy Maine HOMES)
Builder: O’Brien Wood and Iron (ObrienwoodandironO'Brien Wood & Iron LLC)
Insulation and Ventilation: Casco Bay Insulation (Jon Riley) CascobayinsulationDense Pack Cellulose | Casco Bay Insulation, Inc.
Photographer: Chris Battaglia (ChrisbattagliaCHRIS BATTAGLIA)
Location: Cape Elizabeth, ME
Completed: 2022
