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The primary suite also features its own covered outdoor space. “The colors are constantly changing and the meadow changes every year,” says Michael. “There are things that happen in the meadow that did not happen the year before. And that, I find just fascinating.”

The view from the primary suite offers a distinctly different perspective over the treetops compared to the ground floor spaces. The lower ceilings in the more private wing of the home are another contrast with the grand scale of the living areas, creating a cozier, more secluded feeling.

“I wanted to have an office that was connected to my bedroom,” says Michael of the expansive primary suite. “It was important to me to be able to have guests, yet I could close off my own personal space when people were here.”

The primary en suite features a soaking tub and shower facing a floor-to-ceiling window that creates an illusion of being outdoors. The timber joinery echoes the materiality of the cabinetry in the kitchen.

The 4,200-square-foot home by Turkel Design balances top-quality natural materials and cutting-edge contemporary design with the ease of construction, expedited timeline, and cost benefits of prefab.

The great room features a double-height wall of glass, lounge area with a fireplace, and a dining zone. “Each room has these incredible views of the landscape around us,” says homeowner Bob Bridger. “There’s no place that is significantly better than another. They’re all special in their own ways.”

Retractable lift-and-slide glass walls on either side of the great room blur the boundaries between interior and exterior space. “Fresh air moves through the house pretty much year-round,” says Bob. “Even in the winter, we have windows open because we get so much solar gain from the amount of glass and the reflection off the snow.”

The dramatic primary bedroom suite occupies an entire corner of the home, and is completely glazed on two sides to offer uncompromised access to the spectacular views.

Looking out from the kitchen island to the great room offers a 270-degree view of the surrounding landscape. “You stand in the kitchen and can track the ridge line all the way around,” says Bob. “You see how the light moves within the space in this magical, harmonious way.”

Blue tile in the bathroom adds a small pop of color to the otherwise minimalist space.

“You can’t help but relax being in the country,” says Nigel. Jane laughs and jumps in: “Though it’s hard work. We’re always doing something.”

BrightBuilt Homes started as a singular zet-zero, sustainable barn in Maine.

"The idea was to deliver off-the-shelf, high-performance homes at affordable prices and on faster timelines,"

There are 20 different base models to choose from, and homes start at 420 square feet.

The company is based in Portland, Maine, and serves all of New England and into the mid-Atlantic. It hopes to work with nationwide clients in the future.

Solar panels facing the sunniest part of the home help heat its water and charge its electricity.

The entire process can take from 12 months to 18 months, depending on the scale of the project.

The company breaks its offerings into four distinct tiers, from a more stringent set of options to more flexible customizations.