Camden has a rich boat-building history dating back to the 1700s - the Working Waterfront drew inspiration from the organized chaos of the old wharf designs. In the past, the harbor front would be dotted with trade shops of all shapes and sizes - buildings seemingly laid out without intention but where everything served a purpose. The new facility plays off this idea with independent volumes and irregular rooflines connected to one another. It is the intersection of modern and traditional design with cantilevered corner glass juxtaposed against traditional, local building elements like cedar shakes. Classic maritime heritage contrasted with modern design can be found in the vaulted foyer of the marina offices. A 1930s Tech Dinghy originally commissioned by the owner’s great-grandfather sits above the reception desk welcoming every visitor to the waterfront.
There was a staggering amount of program required to fit into a relatively compact space confined by harbor setbacks, FEMA flood plains, and local zoning ordinances. 33,000 square feet of state-of-the-art structure replaced a hodge-podge of rambling, energy-inefficient buildings that didn’t survive the fire. The company’s rigging, mechanics, electronics, and carpentry workshops are housed in a brand-new warehouse. Customer-friendly offices, lounge spaces for boaters, boat services, overnight accommodations, retail shops, a distillery, and a restaurant make up the public-facing portion of the new working waterfront. The project also adds 8,300sq.ft. of publicly accessible boardwalk along the waterfront.
The project had to be completed in a time and cost-efficient manner - without the waterfront operational there was no way to make the property financially viable. An efficient steel and concrete structure was designed and fabricated off-site which cut back on time to get to a core and shell. The project was completed in just 16 months and cost $303/sq.ft. in a volatile building climate and challenging site. The Working Waterfront’s is three-tenths of a mile from downtown Camden which encourages folks from all backgrounds to engage in the new space: boat owners, residents, craftsmen, and tourists can all engage with this historical and modern working waterfront. Posted signs lead pedestrians from downtown, a courtesy electric vehicle transports passengers free of charge and perhaps the best way to visit is on the ferry across the marina provided free of charge by the Working Waterfront.
The project engages the local and regional community through programs run in association with the Maine Marine Trades Association for training and certifications, which helps promote careers and job opportunities. Every Summer the Working Waterfront partners with the Camden Yacht Club in producing the annual regatta, the Camden Classics Cup – a wonderful celebration of craft, community, and competition.
Designing a large-scale project near the shoreline required a serious discussion on what resources and means-and-methods were needed to ensure the project will last given the risk of rising tides and extreme weather. The project sits on pilings to bedrock and is raised above the 100-year flood plain to mitigate long-term risk. The steel was engineered to the highest standard to ensure it can support future solar integration. The building is equipped with a superior thermal envelope, state-of-the-art HVAC, and LED lighting. The goal was to ensure the structure will last several lifetimes so it won’t have to be torn down and replaced with more resources - but more importantly to be able to tell this treasured maritime story for generations to come.
Team:
Architect: GreenSpur
Other participants: Gartley & Dorsky Engineering & Surveying, LaJoie Brothers, Johnson & Jordan, Carpenter Associates, Freedom Fire Protection
Photography: Ben Gancsos, Mackenzie Lyman, Dan Disher
Material Used:
1. Facade cladding: Corrugated Metal Siding, Western States Metal Roofing
2. Flooring: Hatteras European Oak, Cochrans Lumber
3. Doors: Marvin Aluminum Clad
4. Windows: Marvin Aluminum Clad
5. Roofing: EPDM
6. Interior lighting: Halo, Envoy, Mule Lighting
