Engage the landscape in thoughtful and meaningful ways.
At OPAL, we are drawn to the essential and timeless building forms that surround us in New England. We recognize that these buildings embody practical knowledge developed over hundreds of years and are material responses to function, climate and economy. We find these forms can become the inspiration for contemporary forward-looking architecture, that functions at a range of scales, and that compliments local communities. Contemporary architecture that responds to its site and context, but also reflects our own purpose of innovation, performance, and craft. We believe there is a fundamental climatic response that must inform how buildings inhabit the Maine landscape. The varied and sometimes harsh climate of coastal Maine requires buildings to respect solar orientation, the flow of water, winter snow drifts, and prevailing winds. As a Maine based firm, we are committed to creating enduring architecture that enhances our experience of built form and space, highlights materiality, and that engages with the landscape in thoughtful and meaningful ways.
Beautiful and bespoke homes that are places of profound connection with family and the environment.
In our residential architecture practice, we engage with clients in a focused architectural design process as collaborators and we see the development of a sustainable home as a deep dialog where we come together to create personal living spaces. We understand that the process of designing a home is a significant and long-term relationship built on engagement, trust and commitment; to accomplish that we strive for clarity in all our communications. While every residential project is unique, we bring the highest standards of energy efficiency and sustainability to each project and work diligently to incorporate each client’s personal vision into designs that create meaningful and timeless homes.
Sustainable buildings that are a reflection of an institution’s identity.
OPAL understands that an identity of an institution includes existing context, character, and a vision for the future. We work diligently to understand our institutional clients’ needs and to express their identity through design excellence in each phase of the architectural design process. OPAL works closely with institutions to meet program, schedule, and architectural budget goals. Though early phase feasibility studies and pre-design services, OPAL can help institutions develop detailed building programs, project schedules, and realistic budgets that integrate to provide a clear road map for executing successful projects. OPAL has particular experience in helping institutional clients achieve their sustainable design goals and creates project specific, comprehensive, and forward-looking sustainability goals that are a fit for the project and the institution. OPAL integrates a data driven approach to building performance into all our architectural services including the use of rigorous energy modeling to assess operational energy usage, and life cycle analysis to assess a project’s total carbon footprint. With this data, institutions can demonstrate accountability to their values and with confidence make investments in renewable energy and carbon mitigation strategies.
