Kittery Point, Maine.
The Bray House is a historic house at 100 Pepperell Road in Kittery Point, Maine, United States. It is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the state. Long thought to be an 18th-century structure, the archeological evidence indicates that the standing structure was probably built before 1670. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, but was unprotected from demolition until now.
The connecting buildings were added in the years 1885, 1901, 1935 and 1955 and were not considered architecturally significant to the history of the estate. (The 1885 house was relocated to the site in the 1950's and was in too poor a condition to be saved.) Those funds were directed at the massive effort to save, stabilize and revitalize the original Bray House.
Simon Jacobsen proposed to the owners that the additions that clumsily abutted the original Bray House be removed or relocated and a new compound of pavilions be added to meet the owners requirements as well as protect the the Old Bray House, “forever”.
“The rhythm of these vernacular forms plus the Jacobsen hallmark of a pristine all-white palette contribute simultaneously to a completely modern yet timeless work of art.” William Morgan
The rendering by Jacobsen Architecture shows the collection of pavilions surrounding the newly isolated Bray House. The design intent shows the architect's motivation to under-power the other buildings that surround the old house by making them shorter and smaller in stature so as not to tower over the the older manse.
Architectural photography by Jonathan Reece and Jacobsen Architecture.
Published in Decor Maine, September 2019. Click here for the article.
WINNER: 2020 American Institute of Architecture-Washington Chapter “Architecture Award.”