Enchanting playfulness
The Honeymoon Cottage, a recent project designed and constructed by Knickerbocker Group, was named a recipient of an Honor Award in the Residential Design Category at the 2025 AIA Maine Design Awards.
Each year, AIA Maine recognizes outstanding architectural achievements across the state through its Design Awards Program. A jury of nationally recognized peers evaluates each entry for design excellence, creativity, and environmental sensitivity.
The retreat is composed of three distinct pods, linked by glazed bridges that create a sequence of intimate, connected spaces. Anchored in the natural ledge and minimizing its foundation footprint, the design protects the native landscape and reduces environmental impact.
The jury praised the “siting, massing, and materials,” nothing that “all work effectively to create a highly impactful experience, both from the tidal river and from within.” They also remarked on the “individual black boxes perched on concrete plinths” which “exhibit an enchanting playfulness while simultaneously giving prominence to the land and the trees. The interior is cozy and warm yet refined, offering perfectly balanced views of the water.”
