Mount Desert, Maine
A Prism in the Wood is an award winning architecturally designed home nestled in the woods of Mt. Desert, through which passes the constantly changing light of the Maine seasons. The house is a frame of steel tubes completely enclosed in glass with the living spaces within floating like platforms through the grid. A light steel stair reaches up through the steel tubes to the second floor and a further spiral stair connects to the owner’s private quarters on the uppermost level. The levels are also connected by a free-standing glass elevator, the use of which is reserved to people above 21 year-old without children.
The ceilings are of unfinished fir planks and the floors of maple. All materials and finishes are hypoallergenic or chemically neutral.
The structure is anchored at one end by the concrete mass of the fireplace that serves on the outside as a giant scupper carrying off the rainwater from the long sloping roof. Standing on light steel extensions of the interior frame the house floats above the forest floor, visually and physically connected at the entrance by massive slabs of granite. Furniture is of contemporary design, mostly manufactured in Italy and Denmark. Contemporary artworks are hanged on the wall, suspended from the interior frame and free-standing on the floor.
This stunning property has been published several times in architecture magazines, books and on the NYT. It as all you will need for your island visit, the perfect place to relax at the end of and active day in the park. Centrally located in Mount Desert, it lies at about 500 meters from the top tip of Some Sound.
FIRST FLOOR: Enter into a light and modern great room. Comfortable seating by the gas fireplace with a nearby screened in porch. Dining area with a large round table and seating for six. Kitchen with gas stove and spacious pantry. Home office space with access to a large garage with two large floor-to-ceiling windows. Half bath.
SECOND FLOOR: Open, loft style bedroom with Queen bed. Full bath with tub and shower.
THIRD FLOOR: Master bedroom with Queen bed, and full bath including shower and small soaking tub.
BASEMENT with laundry machine and dryer.
EXTRAS: Elevator available for for occupants over 21 years of age. Though a very useful convenience this elevator poses a potential hazard and must be operated with the utmost of caution and at its own risk. Outdoor propane grill. Large garage. NO AIR CONDITIONING.
WARNINGS
Among the complains received are:
1. “The top floor mattress is way too firm”. It is true that it is thin and very firm. But that is the bed where the home owner sleeps, and how he likes it ….
2. No blinds on the bedroom windows. The house configuration, with two full walls of glass, doesn’t allow for it
3. In summer, before the birch trees reach full foliage, early morning sun can be annoying for people lying in bed
The house was amazing. Very unique house which is why we booked it, definately not meant for little kids, stairs and loft areas could be dangerous. Very quiet location in the woods on a private road with great access to Acadia and the quiet side of the island. A small herd of deer patrolled the area daily and coyotes could be heard at night. However, the beds in the upper loft were terrible, my adult children (18, 22 yrs ) had to sleep on the couch. The double bed could use a mattress topper and the foam on the cabinet we put on the floor on top of blankets the first night before my daughter retreated to the couch. The double bed in the middle loft had a comfortable mattress. A few minor inconveniences were that the kitchen sink had some mold in the crevices, and the left side of the stove didn't work. Overall it was a nice place to stay and the owner was friendly and helpful.
The location is well situated for tackling both sides of MDI/Acadia National Park yet feels beautifully remote. The house itself is like living within an inspired piece of modern art, both architecturally and in its interior design and furnishings. Interestingly, not withstanding the expanses of glass and metal, it was also very comfortable. The baths and kitchen are ready for a facelift, and the homeowner confirmed that those are in the works as we write this. That will only add to what is already a magical space. If you want to explore Acadia National Park and return to a home that is private, quiet, and relaxing, yet also capable of generating new energy and inspiring your own creativity, this is your destination.
We had a remarkable time at Prism in the Woods. You literally felt like you were in the middle of Acadia National Park. It was quiet, great places to walk, close to fun sites and eateries…nothing but beautiful memories!
A Prism in the Woods is a destination in and of itself, but also served as an amazing home base for our Acadia adventures. We have been to MDI multiple times previously and this is truly one our favorite travel experiences. Thank you Stefano for being so helpful, accommodating and accessible!
A rare opportunity to stay in an architectural marvel
The place was fantastic. It was like staying inside an art installation. The cabin of glass removed the boundaries and felt like you were one with the forest. We quickly adjusted to sleeping when the sun was down and rising with the sun in the morning. The place had everything and was in walking distance to the water. We loved our stay and took full advantage of the kitchen and the heated floors. Fantastic experience.
The property is absolutely stunning. The architecture of the house is simple, smart, functional and comfortable. The house is well appointed with everything you could need and provides a perfect place to relax away from the crowds.
We enjoyed our stay at Prism in the Woods. The property is one of a kind and particularly suited for those who love being in nature. The outdoors really comes in! Every night I could stargaze from my window - could not believe the stars in the night sky - just spectacular. Very close to Acadia and Bar Harbor for things to do. Stefano was very accommodating to work with.
My husband, our dog, and I had the most magical time at the Prism in the Woods. It was everything we hoped for and more! It was the perfect place to stay while we were on our elopement vacation! Already looking forward to returning in the future!
This home was a lovely refuge for our family, and we enjoyed having it as a home base to explore the hikes on that side of the island. Highly recommend the Beech Hill Farm Stand, as well as the Acadia Mtn/St. Sauveur trails.
We had a wonderful stay at Stefano's home in the middle of the woods in Maine. It was an easy, twelve minute drive to Bar Harbor and there was plenty to explore and do close by. The home itself was beyond beautiful, with full-wall windows that made it feel like you were sitting outside constantly. We would love to come back eventually and definitely recommend.
The house was amazing from an architectural standpoint. The location was very private even with the open windows yet in close proximity to all the trails as well as downtown bar harbor. No complaints just bring a fan if it's a hot week as the bedrooms are on the 2nd and 3rd floor it gets hot. Also, bring a sleep mask if you plan on sleeping in (again summer months likely). Again, great accommodations, communication, house/property, and location. Highly recommended.
It was great to stay at this house with its beautiful surroundings and the immense amount of light that came in. We highly recommend this property.
Definitely the most unique VRBO rental our family has enjoyed so far!! Nice location on the quieter side of MDI, tucked into a wooded area and complete privacy despite no curtains on any of the numerous windows. Plenty of light and great views of the woods. Home was well equipped with nice high end contemporary furnishings. Would be neat to enjoy the fireplace, but our late June stay did not warrant starting one. I found communication w/ owner Stefano and neighbor/ housekeeper Sally to be first rate! Would enjoy another trip up here to Prism in the Woods!
We were two couples staying in the home (my husband and myself, as well as our adult daughter and her husband). Property is as described by the owner in the listing so be sure to review. It worked fine for us. Although there is no AC in the home, it is easy to keep things cool by opening the screened windows and doors and allowing for cross ventilation, especially in the evening and at night. The home is in a very convenient location to get to all areas of MDI. The property is very private and the road leading to the home is nice for a morning walk. High end electronics and Apple TV were much appreciated. Owner was very responsive to our questions before and after arrival. We would stay here again.
Currently the queen bed on the 3rd floor is a thin futon on wood slats. It may be extremely uncomfortable for someone used to sleeping on a mattress. The leather cube sofa was also uncomfortable. We had to cover it with a sheet during our stay as we were put off by the numerous spill stains.
This house made for the perfect wedding and celebration with 5 others. If you’re looking for seclusion with all the amenities then this is the spot!
This property is absolutely stunning. We enjoyed the modern architecture and furnishings. The location is great, so close to Acadia and Bar Harbor. We saw a lot of wildlife on the property, highlight was a red fox! Communication with the owner was great, he was very responsive when we had questions on our first night. There is also a fenced in dog run off the garage that our pup appreciated.
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Includes taxes and fees