House Plans in Bailey Island.

“Kaplan Thompson Architects is a top notch firm with energy efficiency as its major focus. They are easy to work with and are full of ideas. We have worked with them on several projects over the years.”

“We highly recommend architect Bruce Butler of By Design. He has been wonderful to work with, and we are delighted with our new home. We had never built a house before--nor did we think it was in the cards for us to do so--so we were complete novices when we began. Bruce was very patient with our lack of knowledge and did an excellent job of educating us on the process. Based on information he gathered from us, he presented us with an initial plan that matched our vision! After that, our discussions with him were primarily regarding materials and finishes. Our dealings with Bruce were done from a distance as we lived a half-dozen states away from our building site. Regardless of this, the process was seamless. Bruce also effectively acted on our behalf with the town Planning Board and Code Enforcement Officer. Without making a single change, they signed off on our plans the very night he presented them. He also participated in our meetings with prospective builders and made field trips to see their work. Additionally, he was very proactive on pursuing cost- and energy-saving options. We interviewed other architects before selecting Bruce. After the fact, one of the other firms asked us whom we selected. We told them and they said, "Bruce does great work, I think you'll be in good hands." There’s no question that we were!”

“We used Lauren for a complete remodel including kitchen, multiple bathrooms, playroom, and bedroom. We used her for complete architectural and interior design. She was with us from start to finish of the project and we owe the success to her. Lauren has great design skills which is completely obvious by viewing her portfolio. The equally as helpful (and likely more important) skills that she brings to the table are her attention to detail and her perseverance in dealing with the contractors. She is there at every meeting to crack the proverbial whip and is very responsive (NYC responsive ;) to email/ phone/ text. I have and will continue to recommend her without reservation.”

“Tuscher Design Group is always a pleasure to work with. Their attention to detail and ability to communicate the clients needs to the professionals they work with is second to none. I highly recommend TDG and look forward to working with them in the future.”

“Mottram Architecture is the reason our remodel is so functional still till this day. She took the time to listen to our ideas, asked numerous questions, and really got a feel for what we wanted out of the project. Then took our old farm house and walked us through several different design possibilities which incorporated new ideas and thoughts. Much of this helped us understand what we wanted out of each area and how much space we truly wanted in each room. Mottram Architecture helped throughout the project answering questions that the contractors had. We are thoroughly happy with the finished product. The functional use of space and getting what you want out of a project even when you might not know exactly what you want is the reason we would use Mottram Architecture again and recommend using them for a remodel or new build.”

“Knowledgeable. Resourceful. Pragmatic. (And they produce great designs, too.) Richard Renner Architects transformed our home. We hired Richard Renner Architects (RRA) with two objectives in mind. First, we wanted to live in a Net Zero home, which produced more total energy than it used. And second, we wanted to make our home a lot more attractive. In the end, we got more than we bargained for. For starters, our home’s energy total consumption (and attending carbon footprint) dropped by about 70%. When we add solar panels next year, our home will actually produce more total energy than it uses, putting us firmly into what the energy geeks call Carbon Negative territory. Along the way, our home went from ugly to handsome. Every time I look at the “before” and “after” pictures, I’m delighted. Especially when I consider how cost-effectively RRA managed to achieve the transformation. Most of our project budget went to energy conservation, leaving architect and builder with very little money to make things beautiful. You may never see our home in Architectural Digest, but it makes me smile every time I walk up the driveway. And now, to the “more than we bargained for” part of the story. Thanks to the design and construction methodology RRA drove, our home isn’t just a little more comfortable–it’s radically more comfortable. On the coldest winter day, every room feels cozy and warm. On a 100-degree summer day one can sit in my attic without breaking a sweat (even without the central air-conditioning running). The basement isn’t damp anymore. And the indoor air quality improved dramatically. Richard Renner Architects assembled a rock-star team. They say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Sometimes it’s both. Richard and his team have deep knowledge and terrific design instincts. But they’re not builders. Fortunately, they seem to know “all the right people” when it comes to getting the job done. Richard helped us assemble a rock-star team of builders and engineers (with all the skills and none of the attitude). Right from the start, it was obvious that everyone on the team enjoyed working with Richard. He did a terrific job of managing our project–especially through the inevitable bumps in the road. On time and on budget. No, really. After suffering one “start-up” delay (our new windows arrived late) the project ran on time and on budget. And, remarkably, we’re still friendly with everyone who worked on our project. Full-disclosure. I don’t work for RRA and I never have. I’m a real, live customer. If you’ve decided to work with RRA, ask Richard to put us in touch if you’d like to hear more. Good luck with your project.”

“We are in the design stage of building our retirement home. Caleb Johnson and his Team took a very restrictive and tight square footage lot and created our dream house. We were so excited! Next came the local Planning Board, state agencies, permits, more permits, more restrictions etc and we were so discouraged. But Caleb, Josh and Michael never stopped and have kept our dream alive with their experience, vision and professional contacts and resources. Demolition is next and we look forward to continuing the journey with Caleb Johnson Architects and Builders.”

“We were referred to Leslie as we already deep in the permitting process of a small but still complex garage rehab (into office + living space). Having cobbled together some form of a design halfway between a napkin drawing and a not-to-scale artistic rendering using our own resources, we asked Leslie to think about what made the most sense for our space- oh, and btw, could she do it very quickly. Many architects would have laughed us off at that point saying it was too late in the game and that we couldn't possibly get it done. But Leslie didn't flinch. Within a week she had drawn up new plans that detailed some cool options for flow through our fairly tight space. She even added elements that made the carpenters love her- like where to hide vents and piping etc. Every detail was thought of. In the end, we love the building and the design that Leslie put together. It's bright, open, and fits a lot into a small space. Leslie is a charming, honest, and extremely knowledgeable individual. She is an excellent architect and an even better person- we can't recommend her enough for projects big or small.”

“Joe built a wonderful home for me in Cape Elizabeth. Joe was a pleasure to work with and his design and attention to details was outstanding. I would recommend Joe to anyone.”

“We recently had the great pleasure of working with Rob Whitten and Russ Tyson from Whitten Architects, who designed our new seaside family cottage, boathouse and cabin, to replace a quaint, rustic, deteriorating cottage that had been in the family for decades. The old cottage was the original structure in a larger family compound, and served as the focal point for extended family gatherings over the years. It was important to us that a new cottage reflect the character and charm of the original building, while creating a more comfortable, durable, and efficient living space. We also wanted to take advantage of the panoramic view of the Bay, while fitting in unobtrusively with surrounding homes. We could not be happier with the results. Rob, Russ and colleagues have extensive experience designing beautiful camps and cottages in spectacular locations, one reason we were drawn to their firm for our project. In Whitten Architects we found not only this design expertise, but partners with whom it was a pleasure to work through every phase of the project. From the beginning we identified a team approach among architect, client and contractor as very important to us, especially since our property was so far away from Portland. Always thoughtful and responsive, with an appreciation for fine detail, Rob and Russ collaborated sensitively and effectively with us and with our builder. It was gratifying to experience. We are delighted with our beautiful new cottage, which is well suited to our lifestyle, sited perfectly to take advantage of its location, and works in relationship to attractive and functional new outbuildings. Natural lighting and excellent ventilation bring the outdoors in, creating a cozy, yet open feel in a home that is efficient, sustainable, and economical to operate. Rob and Russ also contributed to the landscape design, which enhances and brings a sense of completion to the project. We give Whitten Architects our most enthusiastic endorsement, and are especially grateful to Rob Whitten and Russ Tyson for their outstanding work.”