---
title: "Priestley + Associates Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/priestley-associates-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1762014779
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1762014779.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Priestley + Associates Architecture"
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/6d3346b701b0fc0d_1755-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg
address: "23 Central Street, Rockport, Maine 04856, United States"
latitude: 44.1888
longitude: -69.0901
phone: "(207) 236-7745"
website: http://www.priestleyarchitecture.com
rating: 4.3
review_count: 6
best_of_houzz_awards: 4
followers: 173
last_updated: 2026-09-22
---

# Priestley + Associates Architecture

Original Houzz profile: [Priestley + Associates Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/priestley-associates-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1762014779)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** Rockport, ME
- **Serves:** All of New England and beyond
- **Houzz rating:** 4.3 out of 5 (6 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2014–2017), for Design, Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- Houzz Influencer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 10,000 Ideabook Saves

Priestley & Associates Architecture is a full service practice based in Rockport, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. With emphasis on exceptional design, we create unique and original buildings to satisfy our client’s needs, often drawing inspiration from historical precedents. To us, the most successful designs appear to have a timeless quality and connectedness to their location. Best of Houzz awards 2014 - 2017!

Our work has been featured in magazines across New England including, Maine Home + Design, New England Home, Downeast and Cottage Living. You can also find our work books including The New Cottage Home and Cottage Style. 

Call us today for your free consultation!  207-236-7745 or 617-936-0303

### Services Provided

- Architectural Design
- Building Design
- Home Remodeling
- Architectural Drawings
- New Home Construction
- Home Additions
- Home Extensions
- Kitchen Design
- Sustainable Design
- Kitchen Remodeling
- Energy-Efficient Homes
- Floor Plans
- Green Building
- Bathroom Design
- Home Restoration
- Drafting
- Historic Building Conservation
- Barn Design & Construction
- Structural Engineering
- Basement Remodeling
- Deck Design
- Site Preparation
- Construction Drawings
- Custom Homes

### Areas Served

- All of New England and beyond

### Typical Job Cost

$50,000 - 2 million

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Priestley + Associates Architecture |
| Address | 23 Central Street, Rockport, Maine 04856, United States |
| Phone | (207) 236-7745 |
| Website | http://www.priestleyarchitecture.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 173 |

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Priestley + Associates Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/priestley-associates-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1762014779)
- **Website:** http://www.priestleyarchitecture.com
- **Phone:** (207) 236-7745

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- AIA Honor Award Winner

- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2014–2017), for Design, Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 4.3 out of 5 — 6 reviews**

### All 6 reviews

**★ — Christopher S. Lucas, Jan. 2025**

> I entered into a standard AIA, percentage of construction cost contract with P&A in November of 2021, specifying a new residential home budget of 1.5M. In spring of 2022, after selecting a builder, P&A came in with plans at 1.8M. It proved impossible to get Mr. Priestley to take direction to reduce costs to our agreed upon budget of 1.5M and our opportunity to build at that time slipped away. In November of 2024 we selected a second builder. After a month of intense, even desperate efforts to site the house as designed in accordance with the P&A siting plan, (including things like hiring additional consulting surveyors, lopping off the breezeway and garage in the original plans in order to shorten the building and flipping the building in mirror image) we ultimately concluded that that the P&A building design and siting plans were unworkable and in error, respectively, leading the home to extend into a road set back, among other problems. Although extensive efforts were made to re-site and or remedy the problem, as described, before frost made pouring a foundation inadvisable, these efforts failed. During these efforts, P&A failed to provide timely and accurate assistance to address the problems. The builder agreed to hold our spot for the spring, but I was unable to get Mr. Priestley to commit to needed adjustments to the plans in a timely fashion. Accordingly, I terminated P&A losing some $90,000.00 in fees paid to date. Adding insult to injury, post termination, Mr. Priestley generated correspondence suggesting that he would be due a termination fee based on his own "most accurate" final construction cost estimates that were as high as 3.7M, more than double our agreed upon budget. In general, P&A failed to be on time, failed to be on budget, failed to design in accordance with both oral and written owner instructions and failed to generate work product that consistently met my expectations for professional level services.

**★★★★★ — 22jhroad, Nov. 2015**

> After interviewing several architectural firms we met with John Priestley and his since-retired partner, Richard Bernhard, and we knew instantly we had found the firm who would realize our dream house.  The process and interaction was a true collaboration, and we could not be happier with the result.  The vibe and flow of the house is cozy, not formal, and several of our friends have expressed exactly that sentiment independent of each other.  We are passing on the compliments - thank you, John!

**★★★★★ — charlesgale, Sept. 2013**

> Bernhard & Priestley Architecture designed a beautiful house for us and we are very pleased with the results.  They were good at communicating with us and helped us find the right builder for the job. They listened well to our sense of style and needs and were extremely responsive to our desires.  We felt they created rooms with a lovely sense of space and great attention to detail.  We enjoyed working with B&P very much.

**★★★★★ — inkberry52, Sept. 2013**

> I’ve enjoyed several opportunities to collaborate with Priestley & Associates and have found their design talents to be exceptional.   I particularly appreciate the way in which their architecture responds to the context within which it is located and relates so sensitively to the landscape.  This integrated approach to design is refreshing!
>
> Todd Richardson, Principal
> Richardson & Associates, Landscape Architects

**★★★★★ — Wellesley Client, Sept. 2013**

> We had the pleasure of working together with Priestley & Associates twice over the past 6 years. John Priestley and his team provided us with creative solutions for updating our 1910 oceanside cottage and 1920's colonial.
>
> They listened carefully to our needs, drafting highly detailed drawings, and were attentive to our budget. Most recently they met a very tight deadline.
>
> Beyond the drawings, they demonstrated an excellent knowledge of construction and had a good relationship with our contractor.
>
> Highly recommend for new construction and renovation.

**★★★★★ — Tracy A. Davis, Aug. 2013**

> Professionalism and talent!  Dedicated to their trade and craft.  Works respectfully with their clients best interests. Excellent creative team members.  Highly recommend.

## Selected projects

- [Little House on a Lake - Before](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/little-house-on-a-lake-before-pj-vj~5832441)
  - Location: Camden, ME
  - Photos: 11
- [Island House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/island-house-pj-vj~5832459)
  - Location: Islesboro, ME
  - Photos: 4
- [Renovation in Owls Head Maine - the old and the new](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/renovation-in-owls-head-maine-the-old-and-the-new-pj-vj~2601416)
  - Location: Owls Head, ME
  - Photos: 7
- [Renovation in Brookline MA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/renovation-in-brookline-ma-pj-vj~2503484)
  - Location: Brookline, MA
  - Photos: 4
- [Billing's Cove Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/billing-s-cove-retreat-pj-vj~1500402)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
- [Mount Desert Island Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mount-desert-island-retreat-pj-vj~781319)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
- [A Modern Maine Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-modern-maine-home-pj-vj~520522)
  - Location: Camden, ME
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: A complete transformation of a 1950’s ranch style house, with a distinctly modern expression, this nautically inspired repackaging consolidates a family’s requirements while responding to a steeply sloped site, water views, and the vernacular of materials and proportions.
- [Mountain Escape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-escape-pj-vj~393950)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
  - Description: Vacationing in Maine, the owners desired a modern Danish home with a traditional Maine feel where they could cook, relax, and entertain. This home has a minimalist feel and takes advantage of sweeping views of Penobscot Bay, optimal solar orientation, and extremely efficient heating systems. Exterior trellises and flat roofs were incorporated to allow the natural world to interact with the façade.
- [Oceanside Sanctuary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oceanside-sanctuary-pj-vj~350771)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: This traditional country cottage is designed to house the owner's extensive antique and decorative arts collect. Overlooking the ocean, the home features red trim that adds a richness to the local wood and stone exterior. The gourmet kitchen opens out towards the landscape, linking the owner's gardens to this year-round home.
- [Oceanfront Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oceanfront-retreat-pj-vj~257079)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: Hugging the shore of Hockomock Channel in Muscongus Bay, this stately retreat is organized around a central Great Room with flanking gallery for the owners’ eclectic art and antique collection. A massive field stone chimney tops both interior and exterior fireplaces, which combined with the stone terraces and 3-season porch, provide for the owners entertainment needs.
- [Beachfront Vacation Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beachfront-vacation-home-pj-vj~257029)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: Responding to its century-old beachfront community, this casual seasonal home accommodates a young family, plus guests in an attached wing. The building is discreetly elevated and engineered to conform to stringent flood requirements.
- [Number 32 Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/number-32-residence-pj-vj~252908)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
- [Secluded Summer Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/secluded-summer-retreat-pj-vj~251450)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
- [Coastal Maine Manor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/coastal-maine-manor-pj-vj~251069)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5

[See all 14 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/priestley-associates-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1762014779)

## Community Q&A

**Q: the recessed wall shelves, where can one purchase?** *(in Photo Questions)*

the recessed wall shelves, where can one purchase?

A: Dear Ruthie,

These were done by the contractor at the time. A good builder can do this for you. The recessed lights can be done by the electrician. Good luck!

**Q: Who makes this bed?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Megan - the interior designer or owner chose the bed so I'm afraid I can't help you with who made the bed. My apologies for not getting back to you sooner.

**Q: Can you tell me about the deck railing?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Is the railing wood and the guts steel?

A: Lisa - thank you for your inquiry. The railing is wood, mahogany. The guts are definitely cable rail, stainless.

**Q: may I ask the dimensions of the entryway? thank you!** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: The entryway is approximately 20'-7" wide x 16'-9" high. Thank you for asking!

**Q: Can  you advise the manufacturer of the bay window?  Thank you.** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: You are most welcome...anytime we can be of help to capture your dreams!

**Q: ceiling height? thank  you!** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: The three center windows were mulled directly together. Thank you!

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-22.*