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Aisling

A Knickerbocker Group Prefab Pod (ADU) that is a soulful expression of what it means to live with less—and to live more meaningfully.

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

Photography

Jeff Roberts

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 800 sq. ft. Prefab Pod model—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 at Knickerbocker Group’s Wiscasset prefabrication facility, the Aster Pod 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 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 the Aster Prefab Pod 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