Mottram & Maines

Mottram & Maines Design that holds the whole picture together. Mottram Architecture specializes in energy efficient and zero energy home design.

Mottram & Maines creates new homes, additions, and renovations with right-sized performance: comfort, indoor air quality, durable details, and clear documentation that protects intent through construction. We believe that everyone should have access to good design, and in Maine that also means staying warm and comfortable in your home. Our intentions are to bring super insulated and zero energy re

ady homes to the market in a soulful and creative way. We believe that our homes affect our lives in social, economical, and environmental ways. If you are looking for an Energy Star Certification, HERS Rating, or just "Pretty good home", we would love to help you out. We are based in Maine, but Mottram Architecture is currently licensed to practice architecture in Maine, Pennsylvania, New York and New Hampshire. So if you live in New England and you're interested in how your home can be comfortable, durable, efficient and beautiful, then we would love to talk to you. We firmly believe in integrated design and look at everything from water consumption, energy consumption, building envelop, orientation, and function. Many homes are beautiful, but all homes should be comfortable and require less effort to maintain.

A rainscreen is a small detail that does a lot of work.It creates a gap behind the exterior cladding so water has a plac...
09/03/2026

A rainscreen is a small detail that does a lot of work.

It creates a gap behind the exterior cladding so water has a place to drain and the wall has a better chance to dry.

That matters because walls are going to see moisture over time. The goal is not to pretend water will never get in.

The goal is to give it a way out.

A rainscreen is one of the simplest ways to reduce moisture risk and improve long-term durability.

09/01/2026

Pretty Good House is a strategy, not a compromise.
Today’s lever: Window placement over window count.
Good window design is disciplined, not random.
Trade-off: Less glass for glass’s sake, more meaningful daylight.
Decision rule: Place windows for light, views, and comfort first.
If you want to feel confident in your priorities before decisions get locked in, reach out.

A kitchen does not need to be complicated to work well.The layout keeps the sink, range, storage, and prep space within ...
08/31/2026

A kitchen does not need to be complicated to work well.
The layout keeps the sink, range, storage, and prep space within easy reach. The island gives the room a generous work surface without making it feel crowded. The wood cabinetry brings warmth, while the polished concrete floor keeps the room durable and easy to maintain.
Simple does not mean basic.
It means the room has been edited down to what matters: light, function, storage, movement, and materials that can handle daily life.

Windows do a lot of work in a home.They shape the light, frame the view, affect privacy, and change how connected a room...
08/27/2026

Windows do a lot of work in a home.

They shape the light, frame the view, affect privacy, and change how connected a room feels to the place around it.

They also matter for comfort and performance.

A good window strategy has to balance daylight, glare, overheating, heat loss, privacy, and durability. The unit matters, but so does the way it is installed and detailed into the enclosure.

The best windows are not just chosen well.

They are placed, sized, and installed with the whole home in mind.

08/25/2026

Pretty Good House is a strategy, not a compromise.
Today’s lever: Insulation that matches the assembly.
More insulation is not the only question.
Trade-off: Less obsession with numbers alone, more attention to how the wall actually works.
Decision rule: Pick insulation in context, not in isolation.
If you want to feel confident in your priorities before decisions get locked in, reach out.

A porch should do more than add square footage.It should change how a home lives.This one creates a protected place to s...
08/24/2026

A porch should do more than add square footage.
It should change how a home lives.
This one creates a protected place to sit with the seasons, watch the light move, and stay connected to the landscape without being fully exposed to it.
The structure is simple, but the effect is generous.
A good threshold makes the house feel larger, calmer, and more rooted in its place.

New builds and renovations use the same principles, but the constraints are different.With a new home, we can think thro...
08/20/2026

New builds and renovations use the same principles, but the constraints are different.

With a new home, we can think through the full system from the start: site, layout, enclosure, ventilation, comfort, durability, and long-term performance.

With a renovation, we work with what already exists.

That means finding the biggest levers, understanding the risks, and paying close attention to the places where old and new systems meet.

Same goals.

Different path to get there.

08/18/2026

Pretty Good House is a strategy, not a compromise.
Today’s lever: Durable siding details.
Durability depends on the assembly, not just the finish.
Trade-off: More discipline in detailing, less trouble in ownership.
Decision rule: The edges and transitions matter as much as the material itself.
If you want to feel confident in your priorities before decisions get locked in, reach out.

A bathroom can be practical without giving up warmth.The open shower, integrated bench, grab bars, and clear floor space...
08/17/2026

A bathroom can be practical without giving up warmth.
The open shower, integrated bench, grab bars, and clear floor space all support easier daily use. The wood vanity and soft wall color keep the room from feeling institutional.
This is the goal with good design.
Make the functional decisions feel natural, so the room works better without calling attention to every choice that made it possible.

Budget control starts earlier than most people think.It is not just about cutting things later. It is about understandin...
08/13/2026

Budget control starts earlier than most people think.

It is not just about cutting things later. It is about understanding priorities before the design gets too far ahead of the budget.

We work to protect the essentials first: comfort, durability, ventilation, moisture control, and the design choices that matter most to how the home will live.

Builder coordination matters here too.

When the team is aligned early, there is less room for rework, confusion, and late changes that can push costs in the wrong direction.

Clarity early is one of the best cost control tools we have.

Address

PO Box 212
Thomaston, ME
04861

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12077069291

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mottram & Maines posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Mottram & Maines:

Shortcuts

Share

Category