--- title: "Kaplan Thompson Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kaplan-thompson-architects-pfvwus-pf~562105231 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~562105231.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Kaplan Thompson Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8f63c3cb0ea5875e_0338-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "102 Exchange St., 2nd floor, Portland, Maine 04101, United States" latitude: 43.6606 longitude: -70.2589 phone: "(207) 842-2888" website: http://www.kaplanthompson.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 12 best_of_houzz_awards: 15 followers: 504 last_updated: 2026-09-01 --- # Kaplan Thompson Architects > New England Sustainable Architect & Design Firm > Best of Houzz 2024! Original Houzz profile: [Kaplan Thompson Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kaplan-thompson-architects-pfvwus-pf~562105231) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Portland, ME - **Serves:** Portland, West Scarborough, South Portland, South Portland Gardens, Biddeford, Scarborough, Saco, Westbrook, Windham, Gorham, Falmouth, Kennebunk, Cape Elizabeth, Old Orchard Beach, Yarmouth, Falmouth Foreside, South Windham, Chebeague Island, Little Falls, Cousins Island, Long Island, Littlejohn Island, Boston, Cliff Island, Cumberland Center, Cumberland Foreside, Peaks Island, South Freeport - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (12 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 15 awards (2013–2026), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - References available - Eco-friendly - Verified Hires ### Business highlights - Eco-friendly - Best of Houzz winner - References available - 2 Verified Hires Beautiful. Sustainable. Attainable. These are the defining characteristics of Kaplan Thompson Architects’ work. We combine the practicality of sustainable design with the artistry of architecture to deliver high-quality, low-impact, and on-budget buildings. Since 2006, we have designed hundreds of deeply sustainable buildings at every scale, developing a portfolio of completed projects that spans single-family new construction and renovations, market rate and affordable multifamily housing, education facilities, and restaurant and retail spaces across New England and beyond. We provide a full range of architectural services, including assistance selecting a build-site, choosing a general contractor, and developing a working budget. Our team guides clients through a clear and predictable design process, beginning with aesthetic vision and goals for function. Together we progress through project details with assistance from our in-house Interior Designers and Sustainability Specialist. By modeling expected energy consumption and overall embodied carbon, we help clients to understand the return-on-investment– both financially and in terms of enjoyment - for efficiency upgrades and sustainable solutions. Great architecture balances empathy and listening with technical expertise and creative problem solving. We follow these practices to ensure a client’s priorities are satisfied and budget is respected, without compromising on quality or performance. We design not just for environmental stewardship, but also human health. We partner with our clients to determine how best a project can meet their needs and improve their well-being. Consideration is given to indoor air quality, material toxicity and sensitivities, durability and ease of maintenance, and lasting economic viability. Comfort, resilience, and joy are part of every program. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - 3D Rendering - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Green Building - Multigenerational Homes - 3D Home Design - Custom Home - Remodeling ### Areas Served - Portland - West Scarborough - South Portland - South Portland Gardens - Biddeford - Scarborough - Saco - Westbrook - Windham - Gorham - Falmouth - Kennebunk - Cape Elizabeth - Old Orchard Beach - Yarmouth - Falmouth Foreside - South Windham - Chebeague Island - Little Falls - Cousins Island - Long Island - Littlejohn Island - Boston - Cliff Island - Cumberland Center - Cumberland Foreside - Peaks Island - South Freeport ### Typical Job Cost $1 million - 5 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Kaplan Thompson Architects | | Address | 102 Exchange St., 2nd floor, Portland, Maine 04101, United States | | Phone | (207) 842-2888 | | Website | http://www.kaplanthompson.com | | Followers on Houzz | 504 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/KaplanThompson/ - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/kaplanthompson - Blog — www.kaplanthompson.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Kaplan Thompson Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kaplan-thompson-architects-pfvwus-pf~562105231) - **Website:** http://www.kaplanthompson.com - **Phone:** (207) 842-2888 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Maine Licensed Architects, Certified Passive House Consultants, LEED AP, Best of Houzz winners 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. - **Best of Houzz:** 15 awards (2013–2026), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [AIA Custom Residential Architects Network](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-custom-residential-architects-network-pfvwus-pf~629398549) - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [NCARB](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/ncarb-pfvwus-pf~1477640315) - [American Institute of Architects, Maine Chapter](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-institute-of-architects-maine-chapter-pfvwus-pf~1452529432) - [Northeast Sustainable Energy Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/northeast-sustainable-energy-association-pfvwus-pf~437828998) - [Zero Energy Project](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/zero-energy-project-pfvwus-pf~1419476877) - [Passive House Institute US](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/passive-house-institute-us-pfvwus-pf~1579791328) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 12 reviews** ### Featured Review **★★★★★ — Hans Asoera, Dec. 2018** > If you’re looking to work with an architect to design and coordinate the building or renovation of your dream home, you Can Not go wrong with KTA. Jesse got our concept right away and Richard brought our ideas to life. My wife and I offered up vague ideas and they made the real. They coordinated interviews with the builders and after we selected Bowley, they worked hand in hand to ensure the execution of our shared vision. From emails, to site visits to billing, we felt like their only client. Give them a call, go in for a visit, look at their work on their walls... you’ll be glad you did! **Comment from Kaplan Thompson Architects:** > Thanks for the feedback Hans! It was a pleasure working with you! ### All 12 reviews **★★★★ — Birch Norton, Aug. 2019** > Phil and Jamie and the rest of the team at Kaplan Thompson are a joy to work with. Smart, friendly, not ego-driven and they genuinely work in close collaboration with their clients. Their familiarity with modern, energy-efficient building techniques and materials especially comes in handy when planning the full scope of the project. > > The only negative, and I think this is true of many architects who work with a wide range of builders, is that they sometimes don't have as tight a handle on how various design decisions will impact the budget as I would have liked. It's a bit inherent to the process, where we worked on designs, then brought them to builders for estimates, but we would have likely made some different design decisions if we had understood better how those decisions would drive the building costs up or down. **★★★★★ — Peter Smith, Aug. 2019** > KTA did an excellent job coming up with a design for our new home that fit the unique features of the site and a grandfathered building envelope. They were also very patient dealing with a challenging client (me). Although energy efficiency was not at the top of my priority list, it is wonderful having a home that uses so little energy and is very warm on cold Maine nights. **★★★★★ — Annie Gatewood, Aug. 2017** > Phil and his team designed a 2600 ft house, 4 bedroom house that comfortably sleeps 10. Two families share the house all summer with ease due to the easy flow and design. Phil really listened to our needs while designing a home that is visually pleasing and environmentally thoughtful. I highly recommend Kaplan Thompson Architects! **★★★★★ — M Hutchinson, Aug. 2017** > We worked with KTA over 2 years to design and build our wonderful home. It is a house where all who walk in comment on how beautiful it is. We had very strong views as to what was needed, and had lived at the site for 10 summers before building so we knew the winds, lighting, etc. KTA took our ideas and appropriately challenged and enhanced them and we are very pleased with the result. **★★★★★ — M Venkatraman, Aug. 2017** > We approached KTA associates with an ambitious request: We love our cosy Dutch Gambrel home but it is a little cramped and cut off from its setting that winds down to a river bed. Eighteen months later we have a home we love even more -- which we did not think was possible. Phil Kaplan and Jamie Broadbent worked with us and got to the essence of our needs, style, and aesthetic. They gave us the design we asked for including more space, sweeping views, relationship of the inside with outside, and an entirely different contemporary design. More important, they brought their special expertise in energy efficient homes to bear on the heating and cooling mechanics of the home freeing us from fossil fuels and making the home more environmentally friendly. The test of any good design ultimately is its implementation and here KTA has a unique and winning formula. They work with a client to select a builder and involve them in the final design phase. Our builder- Josh Howell of JD Howell and Company, Waldoboro ME- did an excellent job in translating the project from paper to a glass and clapboard structure and more. Overall, I have no hesitancy in giving this team of architects and builder the highest recommendation. **★★★★★ — bridge1, Dec. 2016** > As a sub contractor they are great to work with, interesting and fun. Projects have been detailed, easy to follow and extremely energy efficient. I consider them to be leading the charge on high performance homes in Maine. **★★★★★ — Shelterwood Construction, April 2016** > Shelterwood Construction is currently building a passive house designed by Kaplan Thompson Architects. They are creative, responsive, flexible, and fun to work with. The team at Kaplan Thompson welcomed my perspective as a builder during the design phase, took the time to share knowledge of new products, and continued to be a great partner throughout the building phase. They really seem to be a leader in the passive house design world. **★★★★★ — Soren deNiord Design Studio, June 2014** > I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Kaplan Thompson Architects on several projects. With each experience they continue to impress me. Phil / Jessie and the KTA team are innovative designers / good listeners / technically savvy / well organized / and very professional. They deliver a forward thinking and dynamic approach to every step of the design process...resulting in beautifully smart architecture. I highly recommend working with them! **★★★★★ — Shawn Buterbaugh, June 2014** > We hired Kaplan Thompson to design an energy efficient home under a strict budget. We really enjoyed working with everyone in the firm. Everyone is super nice, professional, and creative! They understood our requirements, budget, and timelines. They did several site visits to ensure the project fit the neighborhood and also established a rapport with our local code compliance to ensure approval of our design. Based on all the input we provided, they presented a couple great options as a starting point. Since we were out of town, we used web conferencing to view and refine designs. Most importantly, they provided guidance as we chose a contractor and reviewed costs and materials. They put together an energy model to help us validate selections heating equipment, efficient and minimal, I might add, thanks to our tightly insulated building. KTA also provided us the guidance we needed to install the right amount of PV panels, ensuring maximum value without producing energy we wouldn't be able to use. During the build process, they visited the site at appropriate intervals, with amazing attention to detail, to ensure everything met the design specifications. Since we had a tight budget, they came up with creative ways to get 'high design' without the high price tag. I'd highly recommend KTA and will use them on my next project! **Comment from Kaplan Thompson Architects:** > Thanks for the kind words Shawn, it was a pleasure to work with you both! **★★★★★ — David Wallace, June 2014** > Great guys that can really deliver unique and challenging projects. We asked for something special that had never been done before and boy did they deliver! The house is so good we never want to leave except they also created a unbelievable outside space for us as well. There is no one better for designing a enviromental energy efficient home. Did I mention that it costs 50cents a day to keep it at 71 degrees year round? **Comment from Kaplan Thompson Architects:** > Thanks David! Your project is certainly a favorite within the firm! **★★★★★ — Big Twig Homes, April 2014** > 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. ## Selected projects - [Squid Cove](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/squid-cove-pj-vj~7626492) - Location: Mount Desert, ME - Photos: 17 - Description: Context If there is home, there must also be away, distinguishing spaces for living from places to work and play. But with retirement on the horizon, our clients dreamt of consolidating where they recreate with where they reside. For decades the couple and their children had rented a house in Acadia National Park to occasionally slip away for hiking, mountain biking, sailing, and sea kayaking. In 2021 they purchased fifteen acres on Mount Desert Island to facilitate longer and more frequent visi… - [Spark Side](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/spark-side-pj-vj~7626556) - Location: Durham, NH - Photos: 15 - Description: Context The clients wanted a Passive House, that they knew. They purchased a wooded, 2.8-acre lot with an old stone wall, remnants of a farmstead. Clearly somebody knew what they were doing with this land once. However energy efficiency then wasn’t what it is now. We’d need to gather the sun in from a direction almost 90 degrees off of the primary drainage slope, and provide a new entrance to the house that afforded privacy to the owners. They were looking for something that connected them direc… - [Storybook](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/storybook-pj-vj~7626497) - Location: Casco, ME - Photos: 11 - Description: Context Storybook is the tale of a family that went from one generation to a few, and of one house that became two. Situated on five acres along the shores of Pleasant Lake, a decades-old camp beckoned the owners to retreat from the city to relax within the water and woods. But as children became parents and parents became grandparents, the residence was quickly outgrown and could no longer accommodate multiple generations visiting simultaneously. Kaplan Thompson Architects was hired to design a… - [Gossamer on the Water](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gossamer-on-the-water-pj-vj~7626564) - Location: Portland, ME - Photos: 18 - Description: On a meandering drive through oceanside neighborhoods, our clients spotted a “for sale” sign tucked in the yard of an unassuming and low-gabled ranch. A thick fog veiled all but the home’s modest front facade, but the thunder of waves crashing somewhere just out of sight suggested there was more to the property than the weather was letting on. On a clearer day, the couple returned to tour the home and was instantly dazzled by its 180-degree views of smooth, bouldered coastline and the great Atla… - [Ledge's Edge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ledge-s-edge-pj-vj~6044659) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [Rockbound Park](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rockbound-park-pj-vj~5636517) - Location: Portland, ME - Photos: 10 - Description: Our clients were ready to retire to Peaks Island, having vacationed on the island for many years prior. As longtime residents of Buffalo, NY, they had lived through the challenges that winter brings. With the same expectation for Maine weather, they wanted this new build to be modest, low maintenance and net zero energy to keep them warm, comfortable, independent, and protected from future unknowns. One of our clients is an art conservator with some great pieces and very specific ideas on how to… - [Blackwood House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/blackwood-house-pj-vj~5622784) - Location: Falmouth, ME - Photos: 10 - Description: Defying cold and sterile design, this house is modern and sleek yet roughhewn. With fine woodworking alongside the clean lines of the interior structure, raw and cooked come together in harmony. Taking into consideration the beauty of the surrounding natural forest, this design places focus on exposed materials in their most basic form. Timber beams throughout the living areas bring the woods inside and provide structure to the rooms. Hidden storage and flowing spaces combine with large, strateg… - [Pikes Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pikes-hill-pj-vj~3464244) - Location: Norway, ME - Photos: 11 - Description: Context On a 9.5-acre lot at the top of Pikes Hill in their hometown, the clients hoped to get distant mountain peak views as well as a glimpse of Lake Pennesseewassee beyond. Most of all, they wanted a modestly sized home that kept them warm in the coldest Maine winters while they did their daily exercises in an indoor endless pool. They also wanted a place to show off their prized collection of carved decoys. Response We created an almost crystalline form that reflected the push and pull of th… - [Joslin Passive House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/joslin-passive-house-pj-vj~4625144) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: After retiring from their careers in New Jersey, an active professional couple decided to move to Vermont to be closer to their family. They wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to sensibly plan for the future by building a sunlit home in which they could comfortably age in place with predictable, low energy costs through the harsh Vermont winter. A spacious, open lot near a historic river village provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s favorite hobbies: gardening, woodworking, and… - [South Point Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-point-renovation-pj-vj~5572141) - Location: Biddeford, ME - Photos: 11 - Description: A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupt… - [Water's Fine](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/water-s-fine-pj-vj~5624207) - Location: Freeport, ME - Photos: 8 - Description: The minimalist house is designed with three wings: the office space is in one wing above the garage, the living areas are in a middle wing, and the bedrooms are in a third connected by a glass walkway. By placing the office on a second floor with a view of the swimming pool, our clients could be removed from the action but still be aware of goings-on. The central living area is a continuous kitchen, dining and living room. The lower ceiling over the kitchen helps create definition and coziness,… - [Super Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/super-studio-pj-vj~6560449) - Location: Portland, ME - Photos: 6 - Description: Context Six years after renovating their 1960’s ranch house, Jesse and Betsy were ready for a new challenge. They envisioned a versatile studio that could be functional for every member of their family. It would serve as making space for Betsy – a garment designer and fiber artist – as well as a guest house and hangout for their teenagers. The only untouched relic left on their property after the first renovation was an old pool house rotting in the backyard. In too poor a condition to be salvag… - [Cardamom and Almond Water](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cardamom-and-almond-water-pj-vj~2799284) - Location: Waldoboro, ME - Photos: 10 - Description: The original gambrel-roofed home, built in the 1980s and set back from the water a few hundred feet, needed a major updating and expansion. The new owners wanted to make it their own, adding a vibrant character, more common spaces that took advantage of the expansive views, and plenty of energy efficient upgrades to increase comfort and reduce operational expenses. The bedroom wing manifests as an energetic, sculptural form based on the angles of the existing gambrel, with an expanse of glass th… - [Long Reach Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/long-reach-retreat-pj-vj~2511714) - Location: Harpswell, ME - Photos: 9 - Description: This waterfront home is deeply connected to the tidal landscape of Midcoast Maine. Located in Harpswell, the home was constructed in 2016. Its gorgeous setting called for a design that drew visitors closer to the ocean cove, and conveyed a sense of organic modernism that didn’t compete with its peaceful setting in the trees. Our clients had been dreaming of a house that was a bridge to the water, and we knew we couldn’t turn that vision down! Long Reach Retreat celebrates the tidal swing of fres… - [Pemaquid Point](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pemaquid-point-pj-vj~1965773) - Location: Bristol, ME - Photos: 14 - Description: CONTEXT A family living abroad wanted a new Maine home to replace the trailer they had occupied on regular visits back to the States. It would also house an aging parent who would serve as caretaker year round. They desired a more intimate connection with the abutting Coombs Cove and a distant view of Fort Charles at the Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site, one of the earliest sites of European occupation in North America. They also needed a protected outdoor kitchen to handle the intensity of… - [Kirby Ridge Barn House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kirby-ridge-barn-house-pj-vj~2273494) - Location: Kirby, VT - Photos: 20 - Description: Clients reconstructed two 19th century barn timber frames into a unique, stylish, and eclectic year-round north country home on family land in northern Vermont with stunning views of Willoughby Gap and the mountains of the Northeast Kingdom. Reclaimed barn board was used both outside and in, along with local fieldstone masonry, creative timber frame details. The home was built to survive subzero winter temperatures and employs triple-glazed Loewen windows, a thick SIP panel exterior enclosure, h… - [Ipswich Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ipswich-hill-pj-vj~3126839) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods o… - [Plus Sapins](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/plus-sapins-pj-vj~2004206) - Location: Harpswell, ME - Photos: 13 - Description: CONTEXT Two sisters separated by over 1000 miles wanted to create a place to bring their families together on a piece of land deeded to them by their parents in Harpswell, Maine. The home was to have two separate master suites and plenty of space for kids and friends, and as close to the water as they could get. RESPONSE A 2400 square foot home spreads along a narrow gap on a sloping site, maximizing every room’s connection to the water. The two families are connected visually, but spaces for di… - [East End 270](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-end-270-pj-vj~1770146) - Location: Portland, ME - Photos: 13 - Description: CONTEXT A family chose to move from their spacious, wooded Cumberland surroundings into the city to reduce the time spent in their cars and to integrate more into the urban fabric. They wanted open, family living but were challenged with one of the few remaining in-town Portland lots, very narrow with setback limits from all sides and with regulatory design constraints. Ideally the house would attain net zero energy and would be tall enough to get views of Casco Bay. RESPONSE Kaplan Thompson Arc… - [Breakwater House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/breakwater-house-pj-vj~2511781) - Location: Rockland, ME - Photos: 18 - Description: Our clients were “from away,” but they were in love with everything Maine has to offer. They wanted to create an in-town office and home suitable for extended vacations to Maine’s coastal Rockland area, with two separate offices and opportunities to enjoy the views and sun from as many angles as possible. They also wanted to create a low energy or net-zero energy home that would be affordable to build and save them money over the years they’d spend there. We focused on the site’s panoramic views… [See all 39 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kaplan-thompson-architects-pfvwus-pf~562105231) ## Video - [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/1073686944.m3u8?s=b850d45bd998380660776eed9e020ba1b06003c4&oauth2_token_id=1384357804) ## Frequently Asked Questions **Do you handle permitting, zoning, and regulatory approvals?** Yes, we are adept at managing projects through all stages, including pricing and permitting. We guide you through the process, ensuring your project meets all regulatory requirements. Our team handles feasibility studies, schematic design, and construction documentation to make the process smooth. **What types of projects do you specialize in (custom homes, remodels, additions)?** We specialize in a diverse range of projects, including new custom homes, renovations, additions, and extensions for single-family residences. We also have extensive experience with multi-family buildings, educational facilities, and commercial spaces like restaurants. Our portfolio showcases our expertise across New England and beyond. **How do you help clients design within their construction budget?** We prioritize designing within your budget by bringing builders in early to price the project accurately. Our team has years of experience finding clever, cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. We also use energy modeling to show the long-term financial benefits of sustainable choices, ensuring your investment is sound. **Do you provide full-service architectural services through construction?** Yes, we offer full-service architectural services from initial concept through construction. Our team manages all stages, including feasibility studies, schematic design, permitting, construction documentation, and construction administration, ensuring a seamless process and successful project completion. **Do you design fully custom homes?** Absolutely, we specialize in designing fully custom homes tailored precisely to your unique needs and desires. Our approach ensures your project truly reflects your personality and lifestyle, creating a space that is uniquely yours from concept to completion. *FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.* ## Ideabooks - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/176177582/list/wish-list) — 1 idea [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/kaplanthompsonarchitects) ## Community Q&A **Q: what wood is this?** *(in Photo Questions)* We love the look of this wood, what is that, birch? Pine? A: Hi, thank you for reaching out! The interior wood cladding on this project is fir. **Q: siding material** *(in Photo Questions)* Beautiful home! Looking for a similar design in New Jersey renovation. Trying to understand if this is vertical wood siding, or another material that’s been painted? Thank you! A: Hi Jordana, this home is clad in vertical cedar planks. The wood in this instance is untreated and will patina into cedar’s characteristic silver over time. **Q: what is the brand of the bookshelf in the bedroom pls?** *(in Photo Questions)* hi, what is the brand of the bookshelf in the bedroom pls? A: Hello! Thank you for your interest in this project. We were not part of the furnishings for this residence so unfortunately do not know the brand. **Q: Wood species used in ceiling and wall millwork** *(in Photo Questions)* I would love to know what wood species was chosen for the ceilings and wall millwork. It's simply gorgeous! Thank you! A: Hi Larissa! The wood used for the interior of this home is locally-sourced Douglass fir. It makes for a light and bright space and as you said, is absolutely gorgeous! **Q: How much would a kitchen like this cost installed?** *(in Photo Questions)* Manotick home owner looking to renovate. A: Hi Kevin, Thank you for your inquiry! We assess costs of construction and renovations in terms of price per square foot. The kitchen in the Blackwood House includes all custom millwork, cabinetry, and countertops. In the current market - with the recent exceptional increases in the costs of lumber - we are seeing costs for completion of spaces of this quality starting around $325 per square foot. It is difficult to estimate more closely what the cost of cabinetry and countertops would be as it will vary depending on the size, material, hardware, and level of customization/finishes. Please let me know if this helps or if I can be of further assistance! Thank you, Olivia Bogert Office Manager olivia@kaplanthompson.com **Q: cabinets?** *(in Photo Questions)* This is a beautiful kitchen. What kind of wood are the cabinets? A: They are cherry! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-01.*