Peaks Modular

Net-Zero Affordable Homes Designed for Peaks Island, Maine

The Challenge

HomeStart of Peak’s Island, a nonprofit focused on providing affordable, healthy, energy-efficient housing, needed home designs that could meet ambitious goals: net-zero energy performance, affordable construction costs, and delivery to an island location with significant logistical constraints. 

The homes needed to be compact and efficient while fitting the island aesthetic of coastal Maine—and completed in approximately four months from start to finish, delivered mostly by truck, ferry, and crane. 

The Design Solution

We designed a pair of net-zero-ready modular homes that balance affordability with performance and character. The compact, efficient layouts maximize livable space while minimizing construction costs and energy loads. 

The designs respect the coastal Maine island aesthetic while maintaining unique character—proving that modular, affordable housing doesn’t have to be generic or compromise on design quality. While these designs were initially created for the HomeStart project, they’re now available as modular designs from BrightBuilt Home. 

Details

Project size: (2) homes at 1,200 sf each
Building shell: R-10 basement and slab, R-40 walls, R-60 attic
Materials: vinyl siding, Hardie panel siding, Paradigm windows
Systems: aerothermal heat pump system, exhaust-only ventilation, electric hot water
Energy saving over a typical new house: 80%

Architect: Kaplan Thompson Architects
Project Architect: Jamie Broadbent - contributed to project while an employee at Kaplan Thompson Architects
Builder: Hallmark Homes (site builder) and Keiser Homes (modular components)
Photographer: Magnus Stark Photography