Project Details
Architect + Builder
Knickerbocker Group
Cabinetmaker
Zoulamis Fine Woodworking
Sustainability Features
Dense-pack Wood Fiber Insulation
Triple-glazed Windows
High-efficiency Heat Pumps
Solar Power
A home that aligns with values
After 22 years in a drafty 175-year-old farmhouse, a couple from Freeport, Maine, reached a turning point. With their children grown and their priorities shifting, they wanted more freedom, more intention, and far less upkeep. They dreamed of a home that could support aging in place, reduce their environmental impact, and reflect their values of simplicity and stewardship.
They found it in Knickerbocker Group’s Aster predesigned home—a modularly constructed design—which became their serene, light-filled home overlooking the Damariscotta River in Boothbay, Maine. Now named Aisling, in honor of their Irish roots, the home was designed with efficiency, craftsmanship, and character in mind. It’s a compact but personal space created for meaningful day-to-day living.
“Every square foot has a purpose,” says homeowner Jen. “It’s small, but it lives so big.”
Efficient, low-impact, and intentionally designed
Constructed using volumetric methods, Aster was delivered and assembled on-site in just 12 weeks. The all-electric home features dense-pack wood fiber insulation, triple-glazed windows, and high-performance heat pumps, ensuring year-round comfort with minimal energy use.
Sunlit, soulful living
South-facing and sun-welcoming, Aisling maximizes natural light and passive solar gain. A screened-in porch and walk-out basement extend livability beyond the main floor, offering space for gathering, storage, and connection to the outdoors. The interiors are layered with soul: vintage furniture, art by Maine makers, and deeply personal selections that reflect the homeowner’s eye and ethos. Everything is curated for comfort, function, and story.
Image, above right: Artwork by Jen Fox
Image, above middle: Sculpture by Aidan Fraser, Vase by Zoe Fox; Image, above right: Artwork by Zoe Fox, Eli Fox + Mitch Pfleifle
Image, above left: Screenprint by Chuck Sperry, Sculpture by Warren Seelig titled “Shadowfields”; Image, above right: Female Sculpture by Aidan Fraser
Living bigger in a smaller footprint
For the homeowners, the decision to build small was about aligning their values with their lifestyle. Their list of must-haves—efficiency, low impact, fossil-fuel-free systems, local craftsmanship, and a footprint that matched their true needs—guided every step. They knew they didn’t need more space; they needed the right space.
A leap realized
Choosing Aster was a leap of faith, but one grounded in trust and vision. Aisling now stands as the result of that shared leap—a beautifully built home where nothing is wasted and everything has a purpose.
As the homeowner reflects, “Sometimes people think extra is safe—but sometimes extra is just extra.”
Image, above right: Artwork by David Allen
Featured Project Stories
Image, above right: Artwork by David Allen
