Kaplan Thompson Architects

Maine Audubon is the largest and oldest non-profit conservation organization in the state, working to preserve Maine’s wildlife and habitats by engaging the public in education and active stewardship. In 2022, Audubon requested a Master Plan for development that would serve its mission and growing programs into the future, as well as provide a better visitor experience, improve working conditions for its employees, and enhance the natural habitats at four of its eight sanctuaries.

Phase I of the completed Master Plan for Maine Audubon is under construction and prioritizes improvements to the organization’s headquarters at Gilsland Farm and establishes a foundation that future work – including developments at other sanctuaries, fundraising efforts, and ongoing community engagement – can build upon.

A new threshold and sense of arrival for the sanctuary will welcome and orient visitors. The existing historic farmhouse serves as the starting point for a series of new buildings of varied character, whose form and scale reflect the uses within and significantly grow the organization’s ability to host gatherings and activities. A new Stewardship Annex will serve the organization’s Properties and Conservation departments with much needed space to work and store the maintenance equipment used in sanctuaries throughout the state. Both departments will operate out of the nearby farmhouse, which will undergo a careful, budget-conscious renovation to create a healthier, energy-efficient, and modern workspace. A new barn will provide additional storage with a primary function of hosting educational programming. New construction and renovation-work alike will embrace inclusive design to maximize the accessibility and enjoyment of the Farm for all.

Breaking ground, not the bank, in Westbrook! That’s what Clover Terraces endeavors to do as Domus development group’s first condo project for middle-income and first-time homebuyers.

On November 12th, we joined Domus - a partnership between developer Jack Soley, non-profit affordable housing leader Avesta, and Hebert Construction - at 35 Seavey Street to kick-off construction on the third and newest addition to a residential campus near Westbrook’s downtown.

Clover Terraces will offer 45 condominium units, with 25% at market rate and 75% at “workforce housing” prices to target buyers who earn between 80% and 120% of the area median income. This bracket does not qualify for subsidized housing but also struggles to gain a foothold in Maine’s skyrocketing real estate market, representing an essential demographic that must be able to afford to live where they work.

The condos will be compact in footprint - ranging between 500 and 650 square feet - but offer high ceilings, balconies, and energy efficient design.