Kennebunk River Architects

Kennebunk River Architects (KRA) is a reputable firm of licensed residential architects specializing in residential projects located in the coastal, lakefront, and rural sites of Maine and New Hampshire. Our firm boasts over four decades of combined experience in designing small to mid-size commercial projects and residential projects. We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach in working with clients from the initial concept stages all the way through construction review. Our goal is to exceed our clients' expectations, lifestyle, budget, and goals while balancing site and regulatory constraints with creativity.

Our firm's expertise lies in our ability to design coastal shingle and cottage styles, but we are also comfortable and experienced in designing traditional or modern styles. Our commitment is to create architecture that blends seamlessly into the natural environment, enhancing the overall character of the property. We relish the challenge of handling renovations, additions, and new construction of any type or size. We have several successful projects that speak to our exceptional abilities.

Our Approach

Effective communication is the key to the success of every project we undertake. We encourage clients to be active participants in the design process and work closely with them to identify goals and functional requirements, budget, and impact of local and state ordinances. Our design process begins with an initial site visit where we brainstorm ideas and provide quick hand sketches to illustrate them. We then conduct a more detailed programming meeting where we discuss every functional requirement and the constraints of the location and budget. We believe that form follows function and let the design of our projects evolve from an understanding and approval of the goals of our clients.

We utilize incremental steps during the design process, where we begin by developing loose initial designs conveyed in the form of hand sketches, including 3-dimensional drawings for better understanding. As the design develops, we transition from loose hand sketches to more detailed CAD programs and even create 3-D models for visual understanding. We hold several meetings during different stages of the development to review progress and get feedback. We provide complete detailed drawings and specifications necessary for obtaining building permits and competitive bids. Our firm remains available to answer any questions or concerns during construction. We visit the site regularly to ensure adherence to the design intent and monitor progress.

Our Team

Rob Freedman, our lead designer, brings with him a Bachelor of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College and over three decades of experience working on various projects, including retail and mixed-use projects and medical-related projects. Rob's interest in residential design led him to work with Maine-based Salmon Falls Architecture for 22 years, where he became the lead design architect. Rob holds architectural licenses in Maine and New Hampshire and is a certified Green Professional (C.G.P.) of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), similar to the LEED program. Rob is joined by a team of experienced architects and designers who all share the same design philosophy, making Kennebunk River Architects unrivaled in our field.