We Are OPAL

Rooted in our history as one of the first Passive House design firms in the United States, we have developed a unique and holistic process for ecological design that maximizes positive impact across scales on every project.

Our framework envisions a future built upon a habitable planet for humans, circular resources and a low-waste economy, clean and responsible use of water, healthy local habitats, and communities that are healthy, safe, inclusive, and equitable by design. We believe that moving beyond “sustainability” towards a design-integrated building ecology is necessary and recognizes the role our buildings play in a zero-emissions future.

Visit the link in bio to explore our complete Building Ecology framework.

Climate change is humanity’s most urgent challenge. Harmful climate impacts are driven disproportionately by building construction and operation, including up to 40% of total CO2 emissions globally. At OPAL, we believe architects occupy a position of influence within the construction industry, driving material flows and modeling innovative best practices for building at all scales. With this comes responsibility, and an opportunity to collaborate with builders, material manufacturers, and others to seek uncompromising and impactful climate solutions. This responsibility to innovate is OPAL’s founding idea, guiding our decisions on all of our projects.

Learn more about our design approach and how you can make your impact positive on our website today.

OPAL Executive Partner Matthew O’Malia was named one of 2024 Business Leaders of the Year along with .insulatebetter Co-Founder & CEO Joshua Henry. Matt will be speaking at this year’s Mainebiz Small Business Forum coming up on August 7 in Freeport, Maine!

Visit for more details on how to attend the event and hearing more about our & TimberHP’s story!

Riverbend residence rests atop a low ridge overlooking a bend in the Bagaduce River. Views up and down the river are framed by the screened in porch, a relaxing place to cool off in the summer heat.

A bright and beautiful guest bathroom and bedroom make this a fresh and inviting place to drop your bags and relax for a getaway weekend because it’s that time of year in Maine!

Link in bio to view The Roost complete project page.

OPAL is excited to announce the Davis Center for Human Ecology at has received the Architecture Award!

This is the highest level of recognition possible for a specific project from the American Institute of Architects. We are pleased to share this honor with .architecture , our collaborator on the design for this project.

Timothy Lock, OPAL Management Partner, emphasized the significance of this National Award in a statement: “We are thrilled to be acknowledged for a project so dear to our heart and for a client so uniquely identified with Maine. The building represents a new milestone for what is possible within the context of ecological building design, and will set a new benchmark both within our practice, and now with this acknowledgement, across the country. Academic buildings, particularly those with labs, tend to be thought of as energy hogs that cannot be avoided, and this is anything but. Additionally, this is a huge moment for Maine architecture and design, for this project to be recognized at this level. Moreover, I am so grateful for our collaborative partnership with Susan Rodrgiuez; Susie and I have a very special working relationship that is evident in the seamless weaving of the cutting-edge design and sustainability seen in this project, and I am happy others have seen it too.”

The use of industrial materials throughout the new Schupf Downtown Arts Center —concrete, steel, corrugated metal, cabling and brick—draws inspiration from Waterville’s historic heritage as a mill town. Building upon the foundations of the original building, the project follows Passive House design standards with a focus on creating a high-performance envelope and reduction in operational costs.

This project designed in collaboration with Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture Design .architecture

Sited within a conservation easement, the buildable footprint was severely limited for The Roost residence. To maximize the use of available footprint, a two-story porch was designed on one end of the building volume to provide several overlapping features including a sheltered entry, a screen porch that expands interior living spaces, and an upstairs sleeping porch all within one simple architectural move.

The Paul J. Schupf Art Center is a new beacon for the arts in downtown Waterville, Maine. Part of an initiative led by and to reinvest in the city’s downtown and forge stronger connections with the nearby campus, the project is located at a unique civic intersection transforming a historic site.

The building’s design, a collaboration with Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture Design, reveals the diversity and vitality of the spaces within, celebrating its important role in the community. Weaving together old and new, the project hosts local arts organizations in film, drama, music, dance, and the fine arts.

Visit our website to view the complete project page!

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Spring has arrived in Maine and it’s got us thinking about evenings on the back deck like these golden hour shots of our project Riverbend.

While modern in form and detailing, the design for Waring school reflects contextual themes in its exterior materials: stucco, like that of existing campus buildings, and vertical wood boards, which blend with the wooded site. Swipe for additional views and visit the link in bio to learn more about this project.



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Wood is the most sustainable building material we have. Because it produces itself using only solar energy and sequesters carbon throughout its lifespan, wood contributes relatively little to a building’s carbon debt (the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere in its production). That quality, plus the fact that wood is an infinitely renewable resource, make it OPAL’s material of choice for a wide—and expanding—range of applications. In celebration of earth day this year, here are a few examples of our favorite application of wood on recent projects.

To allow for maximum openness and connection to the landscape, large areas of glass allow the slightly elevated living spaces to feel a part of the surrounding woods. Visit the link to bio to view our full project page on The Roost residence.

Nestled into the ferns and a quiet stand of birch, this passive house level residence sits atop a low ridge to capture views up and down the Bagaduce river.

Accomodating art studios, offices, teaching and collaboration spaces, science labs, and a greenhouse, the Davis Center for Human Ecology maximizes views of the ocean and frames an open green used year-round for ceremonies and outdoor activities. Designed in collaboration with Susan T. Rodriguez | Architecture • Design, visit the link in bio to learn more about this project!
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We love a great detail! Here are some favorites from a few residential projects.

Minimal warm white oak cabinetry blends well with carefully placed areas of glazing to capture views, providing connection with nature throughout all the seasons in this private year-round residence.

This serene porch provides views to the quiet wooded site, can you think of a better place to spend an afternoon than on a porch by a lake in Maine?

Visit the link in bio to view the full project page for The Roost residence.

Native ash wood paneling paired with this efficient wood stove and triple paned glazing makes for a warm and inviting interior year-round in this lakeside Maine residence.

Visit the link in bio to view the complete project profile for The Roost Residence.

Atop a wooded slope overlooking one of Maine’s lakes with filtered views of nearby mountains sits The Roost residence. A year-round retreat for a large extended family, large areas of glass allow the slightly elevated living spaces to feel part of the surrounding woods.

Check out the full project page up on our website now.

“If we can build this on a rocky promontory in Penobscot Bat, we can take this model and replicate it across the country” - OPAL’s Matt O’Malia featured in homes & harbors article on new Field Research Station.

Join us and The International Passive House Association next Friday November 10th at 10AM for the ! Tour newly opened building with OPAL partner Timothy Lock at the Smith Center for Education and Research at Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment in Freeport, Maine.

sign up at the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-passive-house-days-wolfes-neck-smith-center-for-education-and-research-tour-tickets-749442541817?aff=oddtdtcreator

Passive house institute us The Passive House Network

Thornton Tomasetti
Taitem Engineering
Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture

OPAL Partner Matt O'Malia featured on MMaine Science FestivalPodcast, link below to listen in!

Maine Science Podcast – episode 58 Matt O'Malia is an entrepreneur and award-winning architect with a nationwide reputation for innovation and expertise in the design of high performance residential and institutional buildings. A leader in Passive House design in North America and named to Architect Magazine’s Architect 50 list in ...

“A standard zero emissions definition is a game-changer for organizations looking to make a positive impact on the environment.” Said OPAL partner on the release of the new White House definition, “This provides a clear and achievable path toward fully decarbonized operations, bringing emissions reduction to the forefront of the conversation in the building and design sectors.”

OPAL is featured this week in in an article about the new White House definition for zero emissions buildings and the contribution OPAL partner made with his work for the White House Climate Policy Office in developing the definition.

Link in up to read the full article by Laurie Shreiber, including details about the new definition.

OPAL Management Partner Timothy Lock is speaking this week at the 2023 AIA North Dakota Conference and Building Products Expo.

Attend his talk "What world are we building for" on October 3 and 1pm!

Are you registered for the 2023 AIA North Dakota Design Conference & Building Products Expo?

Don't miss out on your opportunity to hear "What World Are Your Building For? Unlocking Architectural Opportunity for a Sustainable Future" with Timothy Lock, AIA, OPAL

➡️➡️Register here: https://app.clearevent.com/event/2b109bbb-c0a1-489d-9018-6851a9128965

Timothy is a registered architect in both Maine and New York and he maintains national NCARB certification. He received his professional architectural degree with honors from Syracuse University. After graduating, he spent 10 years practicing in New York City with several firms on a wide range of residential and commercial design and construction projects. Timothy managed design and construction of high-end townhouse and apartment renovations as a project manager at MADE LLC prior to founding a small residential and commercial practice, Swis.Loc Architecture. Tim joined GO Logic in 2012. Timothy’s work has appeared in The Architect’s Newspaper and New York Magazine.

Join OPAL partner online this Thursday September 28 and in Denver October 5 for National Conference !

September 28: Mass Timber Passive House: Two Case Studies - 3:30-4:45 online in conversation with Jonathan Finewood of AUROS group, William Grothman of Blueprint Robotics & Timothy Lock of OPAL

October 5: Closing Plenary Keynote PH++++ by Timothy Lock, 4:30-5:30 in person, Denver

Link in bio for the conference information and registration!

We are thinking of our island and coastal communities in Maine today as Hurricane Lee approaches - pictured is the newly completed Field Research Station on Hurricane Island off of Vinalhaven. Stay safe out there this weekend everyone and if you’d like to read more about this innovative project and the amazing work they are doing out on - link in bio for
recent article!

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OPAL partner, Timothy Lock wrote an article for this month’s issue of Camp Business Magazine - featuring notable OPAL projects for various camps & highlighting our building design framework that focuses on minimal energy use.

Link in bio to read the full piece!

Thank you !

OPAL project “The Bridge” is a product of a collaborative community design process directly involving students, faculty, staff and the board of trustees at this private liberal arts middle and high school. The result is a formal solution that prioritizes both the programmatic desires of the school community balanced with a keen awareness and need arising from the community for inclusive, universally accessible design.

Shown are some interior details of the 13,000 square foot academic building, visit our project page to learn more!

This articulated exterior deck extends the living room outside and creates a beautiful connection to the rest of the site - perfect for cool late summer evenings enjoying the landscape.