by ArchitectureWeek

Both rural and urban exemplars were honored recently when the New England chapter of the American Institute of Architecture presented nine awards for "Excellence in Architecture."

Of the four northeastern projects to receive the honor award, one is a writer's studio on Mount Desert Island, Maine by Carol A. Wilson Architect. The client wanted to take advantage of the beauty of the site and views across Somes Sound, while respecting the fragile landscape.

On this rugged site, the topsoil is only inches deep and the lichen and understory are slow to repair once damaged. The hillside drops at a 60 percent slope down to the sound. So the architect arranged the "box" on stilts for minimal site disturbance, then clad it in cedar shingles to help it blend with the woods.

The ceiling of the studio continues through the glass wall, carrying the eye out to the view, making a seamless connection from inside to outside. The southern wall of the studio rolls open to a deck, providing varying degrees of enclosure. A cantilevered window seat/ daybed looks over to an eagle's nest on an adjacent island.

A second honor award recipient is the Timex World Headquarters in Middlebury, Connecticut by Fletcher Thompson. The architects wanted to create a flexible environment that would inspire collaboration and teamwork within a community of 250 and reflect the company's high-tech, high-craft products while maximizing the occupants' connection to the natural world.   >>>

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A writer's studio in Maine by Carol Wilson Architect is one of four recipients of an honor award for excellence in architecture from AIA New England. Photo: Brian Vanden Brink Timex World Headquarters in Middlebury, Connecticut by Fletcher Thompson. Photo: David Sundberg/ Esto   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.