Appearing to be conceived as a folly, there is actually an excellent practical reason which gave rise to this unique Design / Build project. Because the main house stands some 1100 feet uphill of the shoreline, The Bohemian Princess was born of the desire to have a cabana-like outpost nearby to serve as a salon and refuge for bathers, or anyone enjoying the waterfront.

Through the combined inspiration of both client and designer, GW+D undertook the Design of a Gypsy Caravan style mobile structure. It had to be mobile because originally, a standard type of structure was planned to be built near the shoreline with the groundwork laid out accordingly. However, during the time between Design and Construction, the shoreline setback requirements of the Town changed such that the previously prepared site was no longer viable for a permanent structure.

So, the idea for a mobile structure was conceived as a way to circumvent the new setback requirement. It worked! So, GW+D formed a design / build collaboration with a talented craftsman, a renowned boat builder named Rene Goulette of Shop-to-Shore Boatworks, in South Bristol, Maine. As it happened, Rene Goulette & George Workman were old friends who forged their respective careers together as children on Southport Island by building boats, houses and tree-houses together over many years.

The Bohemian Princess was constructed using an 1800’s era wooden wagon chasis in order to maintain it’s mobility as a temporary structure. Then initially, with only the guidance of concept drawings, Rene Goulette set about preparing the framework for the living space.

FIRE! As he began his work, Rene experienced a significant loss of his boat shop when it was completely destroyed by fire! So, he had to start again in a new location. And while the project took longer than anyone had hoped, the process was rewarding for all the designers & craftsmen involved. And the clients were especially excited when the delivery was made on July 7, 2014.

In addition, the Bohemian Princess was published in Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Magazine the following season.

STONE

Working with Natural Stone is an area of special interest for GEOWork+Design. Through our experience we have developed a unique resonance with Natural Stone and the Masonry Trade. This connection has given rise to a profound passion for both Landscape Geology and the use of Natural Stone in our design approach for living spaces.  Our practice is augmented by specialty training and certification for Natural Stone technologies through memberships with National Stone Institute (NSI) and MARMO+MAC international, and as Business Members of the Maine Stoneworkers Guild.

Stonework is consistently an important part of most landscapes, and is currently paramount in the design of many recent and ongoing Projects. 

Please reference also Stone World Magazine

www.stoneworld.com

This Project was undertaken while working as Lead Designer & Project Manager for Hanna / Olin, Ltd.  It was a collaborative effort with the offices of Frank Gehry and SOM Chicago and went on line for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

These works are a small representation of some of George’s artistic musings and inspirations.  There are some travel sketches and paintings, as well as some digital art examples.