For those familiar with the architect Gil Schafer’s work, his house in Brooklin, Me., may come as a shock. Mr. Schafer, best known for conceiving historically focused houses rooted in classical and vernacular architecture, has created a seaside home that is breezily modern.

“It’s a very different thing for me,” said Mr. Schafer, 55. And it happened almost by accident.

As a child, Mr. Schafer used to make regular summer visits to Brooklin from his home in rural New Jersey, to visit his aunt and uncle. He loved it so much he continued to make the pilgrimage as an adult, and rented a variety of houses there over the years.

“It was driven by childhood memories of coming here and loving the physical character of the place,” he said. “The cool weather, the fog, the sun, the sea.”

Three years ago, he waited longer than usual to find a summer rental, and settled for what seemed like an unremarkable gable-roofed house built in 1992. When he arrived, there were plenty of things he didn’t like.