3500 SFオリジナルスクールが芸術的で豪華な村の家、庭に変身

We are architects, practicing in Coastal Maine for more than two decades, and specializing in historic intervention and interior design. In addition to the many projects, new and renovations, we have been commissioned to do, we have developed a number of properties ourselves, mostly out of a desire to save historic properties. Vacation rentals have helped finance these efforts (as well as help put our four children through college!). When not deeply entrenched in some project, we enjoy traveling around the world, especially with our children, Andre (30 and living in Madrid, Spain), Pier (24 and studying in Glasgow, Scotland), Geneva (21) and Luca (19). We spend time every winter in Augusto's native Brazil (Kay is a native Mainer, raised everywhere as an Air Force brat), and often in Spain, where we met and started our careers as architects on Olympics related projects in Barcelona. We feel privileged to raise our family in this beautiful community, and love being able to extend that experience to our guests. There is no better way to visit a place than to stay in a local home and feel like you belong there!

Our property renovation addition aside, this property is quite literally near and dear to us. It is located directly across the street from our primary residence (which we also rent in the summer). Built in the late 19th century as the Emerson School/Bar Harbor High School, it was purchased by the Masons in 1914, when the community outgrew the school. They owned the building, using the upper floor for their gatherings and renting the lower floor to community groups for classes, events, etc., until the summer of 2016, when it was put on the market. We just couldn't help ourselves, especially after seeing the wonderful details and features of the building that are still intact. So what does one do with a 7,000 SF building that is basically two ballrooms, with a few bathrooms and a kitchen, in a residential neighborhood? Our vision was to transform each floor into a spacious and unique residence, taking cues from the details and artifacts history provided, bringing it all up to code and modern standards, and adding a layer of comfort and a generous amount of style. It is the kind of place we like to be in, and we know you will, too.

The Emerson House, with its 12 foot ceilings and solid schoolhouse style woodwork, occupies the first floor of the building. Entered through an arts and crafts style vestibule (complete with the hooks and shelves left behind from the schoolhouse era), the main living area is 26' x 28' with high ceilings quirkily punctuated by an industrial area cable system that must have allowed the Masons to eliminate interior columns for a clear span space. We have left the ceiling beams and even the remnants of the columns (previously hidden by dropped ceilings - which we promptly removed, and added a much taller ceiling with an acoustic treatment hidden behind it to control noise between floors), and much of the breadboard wainscot. Since the old windows had been removed long ago, we added a 16' long by 8' tall wall of sliding french doors on the south side, and new windows throughout. The original floors remain as do the original breadboard kitchen cabinets and a hand built custom bench. Once used for catering, the kitchen still has a 10 burner, double oven commercial Imperial range. All other appliances are brand new, as are the bathrooms. Both bathrooms are designed for simultaneous multiple users - both have separate shower rooms and toilet rooms, and the main bathroom has an additional large vanity. Most in-town residences have little or no yard space, but this one has an enviable south facing yard, that abuts the church yard, making it very private. Emerson House has a deck running along the entire south side that leads to the yard. The deck is accessed from the living room as well as the kitchen. The decor is stylish, eclectic and comfortable. The House is fully equipped with fresh, crisp bed linens and plenty of towels. There is a washer and dryer, air conditioned living space and ceiling fans in bedrooms.