Team Members

The BrightBuilt Barn project is a collaboration between Kaplan Thompson Architects, Bensonwood Woodworking Company and many of the finest minds in sustainable design and construction in the northeast, all of them brought together at the invitation of a visionary client.

Architect: Kaplan Thompson Architects is the primary architect of the project, responsible for the overall design of the building and for facilitating the collaborative nature of the project. Kaplan Thompson Architects is an award winning Portland, Maine firm committed to creating buildings that embody beauty, sustainability and attainability. www.kaplanthompson.com

Builder/Timber-framer/Designer: Bensonwood is producing the major components of the building at their facility in New Hampshire. Best known as a timber framing company that specializes in energy efficient buildings and high quality construction, Bensonwood is applying their efficient means of panelized production to the BrightBuilt Barn. www.bensonwood.com

Builder/On-Site: Our site builder Alan Gibson of Gibson Design/Build is a green house builder in Rockport, Maine. Alan is responsible for coordinating all site work, preparing the foundation, adding finishes such as roofing and siding to the building once delivered and for the interior woodwork and built-in furniture.

Environmental Consultant: The team of high performance building consultants at Fore Solutions weigh in regularly with input about the sustainability strategies we are pursuing, especially when we are considering trade-offs between mechanical systems, construction techniques and material choices. Fore Solutions is also the LEED for Homes provider for the State of Maine and will be coordinating the documentation process for LEED certification. www.ForeSolutions.com

Landscape Architect: Landscape Architect Ann Kearsley has guided the sighting of the BrightBuilt Barn to ensure its minimal impact on the existing land and its seamless integration into the site. www.annkearsley.com

Re-Vision Energy: The folks at Re-Vision Energy are experts in the design, installation and service of renewable energy systems. They have designed the solar collector systems at the barn and have been an integral part of collaboration. www.revisionenergy.com

Client: Doctor, entrepreneur, visionary and self-professed gadget geek, Keith Collins has been the driving force behind this project. From an otherwise simple set of needs and range of solutions, he saw the potential for a larger exploration of how we build today and how we can affect change for the buildings of tomorrow. www.brightbuiltbarn.com