Larger Photos:
LOBSTER COVE
This spectacular residence on Lobster Cove in Boothbay Harbor captures a wrap around view to Lobster cove with a turret and several balconies to enjoy sweeping views. A classic seaside Shingle Style residence exhibiting key characteristics of Shingle Style architecture, a coastal American design tradition known for its informal massing, continuous shingle cladding, and strong relationship to the surrounding landscape. Phelps Architects team designed a 3,000 SF residence for a couple retiring to Maine including a Carriage House style garage with 800 Sf guest quarters over.
The exterior is wrapped in uniform wood shingles that visually unify the varied volumes of the structure, allowing complex forms, such as the round turret-like corner bay, projecting gables, and dormers, to read as a cohesive whole. Rather than emphasizing rigid symmetry, the composition relies on an asymmetrical arrangement of rooflines and façades, creating a picturesque silhouette that responds naturally to the site. Deep overhangs, broad porches with simple classical columns, and cross-braced railings provide transitional spaces between interior and exterior, reinforcing the relaxed, seaside character typical of the style.
The design also reflects the Shingle Style’s emphasis on blending architecture with its natural context. Large windows and glazed doors open the house toward views of the water and surrounding woodland, while expansive porches and outdoor gathering areas extend the living space into the landscape. The turreted sitting room and prominent gables create focal points without resorting to heavy ornamentation; instead, texture, proportion, and massing carry the visual interest. The subdued color palette of weathered shingles, white trim, and natural materials complements the coastal setting, while the low, spreading form anchors the house comfortably within the site. Overall, the architecture balances complexity and restraint, embodying the Shingle Style’s hallmark fusion of craftsmanship, informality, and environmental responsiveness.
- PROJECT ARCHITECT: Phelps Architects
- Location: Boothbay Harbor, ME