A Photographer Builds Her Passive-House Inspired Dream Home in Maine

Called the Stella House, which she says "was built with love from the ground up!" the light-filled, 1,500-square-foot home has open living space perfect for taking in the landscape, cooking, hosting friends, relaxing, and producing photo shoots. Certified Passive House designer Alessandro Ronfini of DEMO Architects in Brooklyn, NY (Bensimon also has an apartment in Brooklyn) tailored the house to meet Bensimon's needs, dreams, and budget. 

Design Within Reach 

A large double-height living room facing south connects to an open kitchen and living quarters above. To the south, a window wall spans the structure's width and opens the main level to trees and the bay. On the west, a large window cantilevers out of the wall, resulting in a reading nook with a view. 

The main stairs lead to a lofted area that serves as a room for relaxing, meditation, or yoga. "To bring more light into this space," Ronfini says, "we put a circular window directly above the window wall. The window is like a lens, a camera lens, to view the ever-changing light and shadows on the landscape."

The home's two bedrooms and two baths are on the east side. The master suite on the upper floor has cathedral ceilings punctuated with large skylights, which flood the room with light. "I love the clean, somewhat simple feel for a home," Bensimon says of the home's Scandinavian modern design, which features hardwood floors, cabinetry, trim. "It is relaxing and calming. It also makes a room feel spacious, however small the home might be." 

Ronfini says. The windows are aluminum-clad, double-pane wood windows by Marvin. Because the structure is exceptionally airtight, a high-efficiency ERV provides a continuous supply of filtered fresh air.

"With attention to every little detail," says Ronfini, "Sidney and I chose interior materials, finishes, and fixtures that would not only look great the day after installation but also far into the future."