Kingfield Mountain Family Home
Low maintenance and durable with a jaw-dropping view.
Style: Contemporary Alpine / Size: 4 bed, 2.5 bath = 2,860 SF
ASHLEY’S NOTES
Priorities
This client bought two parcels on the side of a mountain, their slice of heaven, with enough space to ensure peace and complete privacy. This is where family and friends gather for respite, relaxation, and quality time. Where kids can have their own space and anyone who needs quiet can get it.
When they came to me, this client knew they wanted to take advantage of the incredible views with large, continuous expanses of glass. But not too much glass! They also wanted an energy efficient home so window placement was a careful consideration. And with the energy efficient aspects of the home (high R-value insulation and tight air sealing) came the need to ventilate for healthy indoor air and balanced indoor humidity.
The steeply sloping site was challenging. We wanted to minimize soil disruption and site work so we positioned the Garage at the top, near the road. Then stepped the house down the hill with a daylight basement. A breezeway connects the two without blocking water drainage or creating a wind tunnel.
Because the homeowners don’t live here year-round, it was essential that the house be durable and very low maintenance. We did not want them worrying about it when away.
Work Done
This lot came with a small graded clearing and close proximity to an electric pole. And that’s about it. Well, septic, and significant site work were required before the house was built.
Specs
ASSEMBLIES
Foundation is frost walls with 4” of rigid EPS sub-slab insulation (R-20) and 2” of insulation (R- 10) wrapped up the sides of the slab for a thermal break.
Walls are 2x6 studs with Rockwool cavity insulation and 2” of continuous polyiso rigid insulation on the exterior (R-33 total). And we always include strapping for a vent cavity/ rainscreen.
Roof is open web parallel trusses with 18” Rockwool cavity insulation (R-60) and a smart vapor barrier on the interior side.
EXTERIOR FINISHES
Composite siding in two different patterns with a standing seam metal roof.
HVAC
Electric heat pumps on the upper floor. But we don’t want to rely entirely on heat pumps in our climate so there are a few supplemental hydronic baseboard heaters on the upper floor, propane fueled.
Hydronic radiant floor heat in the basement, propane fueled.
ERV for fresh, clean air without heat loss as well as balanced indoor humidity.
WATER
Domestic water was heated with the combi boiler which also served the basement radiant floor heat and upper floor radiators.
Contractor
George Yodice at The Works
Interiors
The clients have great style. They picked all their finishes, fixtures, furnishings, the works! It is a mix of their two styles: Bohemian and Mid-Century Modern. Clean lines and bold pops of color with a softened edge.
And before you ask, the wallpaper is from Hygge & West and Happy Wall.
Photography
These photographs were created by Katherine Ripley, a Kingfield-based interiors and architecture photographer and marketing consultant.
My Favorite Detail
Obviously I’m obsessed with the windows. I love the panoramic view from the Kitchen/ Living/ Dining but also the framed “picture” views from the Primary reading nook and all the Bedrooms.
I was also blown away by the client’s interior design. The wood ceilings, Kitchen backsplash, Powder Room wall paper and mirror, and the Den rug; it all works so well together.
Review From This Homeowner
“We highly recommend Meldrum Design! Ashley did a great job designing and helping with our project. We now have a beautiful, well-functioning house that captured exactly what we were hoping for - open, thoughtful layout, great views, and efficiency. She is a great communicator when it comes to gathering the right info, sharing updates, and being available for questions, and was very reliable throughout the process. We started by exploring the “big” architects in Maine, but found Ashley to be the best fit based on value, quality of work and outcomes, and being easy to work with and flexible. Thank you, Ashley!”
Want to build a new house?
Let me know! Perhaps we can collaborate to bring your vision to life.