Building Designers in South Portland

“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.”

“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 took on Briburn for a substantial new residential project on the basis of their website and their stated philosophy, and a 2 hour interview/discussion. As our first and only choice, they clearly stood out among a dozen other architects in the area. We are in the midst of planning now and the process is almost painless. Their guidance is gentle and considerate; their knowledge of "green" building practices is vast. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next steps in this adventure with Briburn.”

“We hired David Burrows to design a first floor master bedroom suite for our 1952 house where we've lived for 40 years. I could not be happier with this new space, we have a new house at the same address. The addition is cozy yet spacious and well thought out. David is easy to work with and very talented. I would not hesitate a moment to recommend him. I feel fortunate to have worked with him.”

“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.”

“Review for Chris Delano - Art of Space Chris did a wonderful job designing our new lake house so that views of the lake can be seen from our main living areas including the master bedroom. We were pleased with his creative ideas which included the use of upper windows that allow extra light to filter in throughout the day. He not only was the architect but was involved in the management of the project. Chris was excellent to work with and he and the general contractor worked very well together. Chris is a gifted architect and a man of integrity.”

“RDS transformed my small inefficient kitchen into a wonderfully workable space. Carol made what seemed to me an overwhelming project into an exciting one. I couldn't be happier with the outcome.”

“We have worked with Rob for over 10 years and always been beyond impressed with his attention to detail and quality of work. We know when we work together with Rob that the project will ultimately be stunning!”

“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.”

“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.”