Four Square

ABOUT

Client Private Residence
Typology Residential
Location Maine
Design Team Matt O’Malia, Riley Pratt, Gunther Kragler, Michael Bailey, John Taylor Schaffhauser
Consultants Structural Engineer: Albert Putnam Associates
Contractor GO Logic
EUI 15.7 kBTU/SF/yr

Featured In
Maine Home + Design Magazine
Decor Maine Magazine

Located on a rocky hilltop overlooking Penobscot Bay, Four Square invites the impressive surrounding landscape in through a process of volumetric subtraction. Beginning with a rational square footprint, sections of the façade are strategically recessed to form covered entry points and sheltered outdoor living spaces. Portions of the typical gable roof are carved away, leaving two offset clerestories that fill the home with light throughout the day.

The single-story floor plan falls neatly into quadrants—one for living, one for sleeping, a pair of home offices, and a garage—with lengths of perimeter wall defining outdoor spaces and creating a subtle pinwheel effect, further opening the residence to the site in which it sits. The individual quadrants are articulated by generous circulation corridors, which in turn create the opportunity for stunning axial views through the building, out to the bay and wooded landscape.

A quiet, unified palette of materials mimics the serene living environment, giving primacy to full-height openings for visual and physical access. Wrapped in a stained pine siding, the building’s façade blends with the surrounding trees, while the recesses are defined with a darker stain.

Typical of OPAL projects, the building envelope is super-insulated to the Passive House standard and utilizes a heat-recovery ventilation system and air source heat pump, resulting in high levels of energy efficiency and a healthful home that is comfortable in all seasons.

Single story modern passive house with exterior wood cladding viewed from grass lawn at dusk, warm interior lighting shines through triple paned glass windows.

Single story modern passive house with exterior wood cladding viewed from path at dusk under a sky of blue and pink clouds, warm interior lighting shines through triple paned glass windows.

Two Adirondack style chairs overlook sweeping view of ocean and islands of Penobscot Bay on stone deck next to wood clad passive house.

Four grey upholstered chairs sit at table overlooking sweeping view of ocean islands of Penobscot Bay inside a dining room with wood floors and white walls.

Two brown leather sofas face a modern wood stove which sits in front of large sliding glass doors opening onto stone deck and green yard.

Image of library including white walls, warm wood floors, colorful bookshelves, modern black and grey furniture and a glass door with view to the yard.

Image of modern light grey tile bathroom with two wood vanities and mirrors on right, sliding glass door on left and centered window with a view to the yard.

Image of brown leather couch in front of kitchen including island with black stone, grey and warm wood cabinets and modern furniture.

View into a kitchen with white walls, warm wood floors and dark stone island, large triple paned glass doors look out onto yard with woman walking by.

An image of doorway into a library with colorful bookshelves and modern chair, hallway lined with wooden closets, wood flooring and white walls.

Modern grey upholstered chair with leather pouf and cowhide rug provide a relaxing space to sit, surrounded by triple paned glazing with views to the green yard.

Image of white bedroom with modern wood bed and nightstands, large tripe paned glazing provides views to the green yard.

Two black Adirondack style chairs sit on a stone deck with modern single story wood clad passive house in background.

Single story modern passive house with exterior wood cladding viewed from grass lawn, woman sits in Adirondack style chair on deck.

Image of single story modern asymmetrical passive house with wood cladding, gravel path leads to entrance surrounded by green lawn and asphalt driveway.

View of modern passive house single story home from green lawn, woman walking next to two Adirondack style chairs.

Image of modern single story asymmetrical passive house with wood cladding, glass entry door provides view through the house, woman walks on gravel path surrounded by green grass towards entrance.

Two black Adirondack style chairs sit on a stone deck to the right with modern single story wood clad passive house to the left and sweeping ocean views beyond.

Single story modern asymmetrical passive house with exterior wood cladding and triple paned glazing viewed from grass lawn in daytime.