Posts Categorized: Blog
OPAL Surpasses AIA Carbon-Reduction Target
The American Institute of Architects has announced that OPAL is one of a small group of firms nationwide that met the current carbon-neutrality goal of its 2030 Commitment program. This recognition represents a milestone for our firm. The 2030 Commitment program,...
AIA New England Honors Alnoba
The New England chapter of the American Institute of Architects has recognized OPAL’s Alnoba project with an Honor award, the highest designation in its annual design awards program. Located in Kensington, New Hampshire, on the 400-acre campus of the Alnoba...
Matt O’Malia Talks Shou Sugi Ban with Maine Homes Magazine
Maine Homes magazine spoke recently with OPAL partner Matt O’Malia about shou sugi ban, the traditional Japanese technique of wood preservation we used on a new-home project in Hope. Shou sugi ban involves carefully charring the wood’s surface and yields a...
OPAL’S Western Connecticut Residence in Green Building Advisor
Green Building Advisor (GBA) just posted a deep dive on our soon-to-be-completed project in western Connecticut, and we’re really pleased with the coverage. GBA is a website where a lot of design and construction professionals learn about new technology and building...
Groundbreaking at Waring School
OPAL is pleased to report that construction on the new School building for Waring School, in Beverly, MA, has begun. OPAL partners Matt O’Malia and Timothy Lock and project manager Alexandra Pagán traveled to the school’s campus on Feb. 24...
Decor Maine Covers GO Lab and Passive House
The March issue of Decor Maine–the Eco Issue–includes several articles that will interest those following advancements in high-performance building in Maine. OPAL executive partner Matt O’Malia is the subject of an interview on GO Lab, the building materials R&D company he co-founded with...
Mainebiz Catches up with GO Lab
OPAL’s building products sister company, GO Lab, is moving rapidly toward manufacturing and marketing its game-changing line of wood fiber-based building insulations. Statewide business magazine Mainebiz has published an excellent overview of the company—founded by OPAL executive partner Matthew O’Malia and...
OPAL Earns Triple Decker Challenge Award
OPAL Earns Triple Decker Challenge Award At OPAL, we recognize that addressing the climate crisis requires not only that we reduce or zero out the carbon footprint of the new buildings we create, but also that we dramatically upgrade millions...
New Staff Housing Dedicated at Chewonki
On Saturday, Nov. 9, OPAL Management Partner Timothy Lock made the scenic drive to the Chewonki, in Wiscasset. It’s a well-worn path for Tim, who is managing an extensive portfolio of projects that will renew the campus of that venerable,...
Matt O’Malia Honored with Alnoba Environmental Leadership Award
An important part of OPAL’s practice—and of our firm’s success—has been collaborating with clients whose vision aligns with ours, and whose energy and ideas inspire us to accomplish more than we thought we were capable of. In recent years, no...