A former blacksmith’s workshop grandfathered a footprint on a tiny in-town lot, overlooking Goose River and Rockport Harbor. As an art gallery owner, the client was strongly attracted to a minimal aesthetic. A dense village setting rich with historic homes encouraged a contextual response on the exterior. Thus, the architect generated a guiding design concept of “distilled vernacular”. The goal was to create a crisp, contemporary home that sits comfortably amongst its neighbors.