Michael Maines

I started Michael Maines Residential Design, LLC in 2014 and I have been busy designing high-performance homes and renovations ever since. In 2022 I changed the name to Maines Design to be more simple and direct—qualities I also strive for in my work.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in structural engineering from Tufts University, with a minor in art and architectural history, instead of pursuing graduate school or a professional career, I worked for the next ten years as a builder: first crafting stone walls, furniture and cabinetry, then building and renovating homes in Cambridge and Nantucket, MA and Portland, Maine.

Since 2008 I have mostly focused on designing homes and renovations, aside from a stint as operations manager at a start-up panelized Passive House company and a couple of forays back into the construction field. As much as I enjoy all aspects of building, it’s the planning and design end of the process where I keep finding that I can provide the most value, and I enjoy working with skilled artisans who share my goal of helping clients create beautiful, functional, healthy, environmentally friendly spaces.

I am a frequent contributor and former contributing editor at Fine Homebuilding Magazine, Editorial Advisor at GreenBuildingAdvisor.com, Certified Passivhaus Consultant, co-founder of The BS* + Beer Show (*building science) and co-author of the Pretty Good House book about designing and building high performance homes and renovations. When I’m not working, I enjoy building things and spending time outdoors.