News – OPAL Architecture / Research / Design

Matt O’Malia Interviewed in Maine Home + Design and Architecture, Design & Photography

April, 2021

OPAL founder and principal architect Matt O’Malia recently sat for two interviews, with Maine Home + Design magazine and the Architecture, Design & Photography podcast.

OPAL Earns Triple Decker Challenge Award

April, 2021

OPAL Earns Triple Decker Challenge Award. At OPAL, we recognize that addressing the climate crisis requires that we reduce or zero out the carbon footprint of the new buildings we create and dramatically upgrade millions of underperforming existing buildings. So we welcomed the chance to participate in the Triple Decker Challenge, a competition, sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), to design a replicable, cost-effective energy retrofit for the New England triple-decker, a widespread and iconic regional building type that dates from the late 19th century. And we are proud to report that OPAL’s entry, Wood Fiber Modular Encapsulation, was awarded Honorable Mention: Lowest Embodied Carbon.

Forbes Magazine Interviews Matt O’Malia

13 November, 2020

Forbes Magazine Interviews Matt O’Malia Forbes magazine has published an extensive interview with Matt O’Malia, in which the OPAL founder and executive partner explains how his work at the intersection of building performance and the architectural experience led to his co-founding, with Dr. Joshua Henry, the wood fiber insulation manufacturing company GO Lab.

Building The Bridge

October, 2020

Construction proceeds briskly on The Bridge, OPAL’s new central building for the Waring School, a private liberal arts middle and high school school in in Beverly, Massachusetts. The structural framing is complete, and work is underway on the building’s electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems.

Decor Maine Features Boxed In(fill)

October, 2020

Decor Maine’s October 2020 issue includes a feature story on Boxed In(fill), a project that marks our firm’s first foray into the vibrant residential market of Portland, Maine. Located in the city’s historic Munjoy Hill neighborhood, the project’s design responds to a challenging program: two living units, plus off-street parking for two cars, on a tight 3,000-square-foot urban lot.

Chewonki Girls Camp is Complete

October, 2020

We are pleased to announce the completion of the new Girls Camp at Chewonki, in Wiscasset, Maine. Phase One of a master plan to accommodate Chewonki’s growth over the coming decade, the project accomplishes the long-standing goal of relocating Girls Camp—formerly on a remote site—to the main campus, where it will enjoy equal standing with the parallel Boys Camp program.

OPAL Surpasses AIA Carbon-Reduction Target

October, 2020

The American Institute of Architects has announced that OPAL is one of a small group of firms nationwide that met the current carbon-neutrality goal of its 2030 Commitment program. This recognition represents a milestone for our firm. The 2030 Commitment program, initiated in 2010, sets a stepped sequence of targets for all new buildings, developments, and major renovations, culminating in 100 percent operational carbon neutrality by 2030. Of the 311 firms participating, OPAL was among only 27 that met or exceeded the latest emission-reduction target.

AIA New England Honors Alnoba

October, 2020

The New England chapter of the American Institute of Architects has recognized OPAL’s Alnoba project with an Honor award, the highest designation in its annual design awards program.

Matt O’Malia Talks Shou Sugi Ban with Maine Homes Magazine

July 2, 2020

Maine Homes magazine spoke recently with OPAL partner Matt O’Malia about shou sugi ban, the traditional Japanese technique of wood preservation we used on a new-home project in Hope.

OPAL’S Western Connecticut Residence in Green Building Advisor

June 9, 2020

Green Building Advisor (GBA) just posted a deep dive on our soon-to-be-completed project in western Connecticut, and we’re really pleased with the coverage. GBA is a website where a lot of design and construction professionals learn about new technology and building practices, whether they live up to the hype, and how to incorporate them into their own work.

Groundbreaking at Waring School

March 3, 2020

OPAL is pleased to report that construction on the new School building for Waring School, in Beverly, MA, has begun. OPAL partners Matt O’Malia and Timothy Lock […]

Decor Maine Covers GO Lab and Passive House

February 24, 2020

The March issue of Decor Maine–the Eco Issue–includes several articles that will interest those following advancements in high performance building in Maine. […]

Mainebiz Catches up with GO Lab

February 4, 2020

OPAL’s building products sister company, GO Lab, is moving rapidly toward manufacturing and marketing its game-changing line of wood fiber-based building insulations. Statewide business magazine Mainebiz has published an excellent overview of the company—founded by OPAL executive partner Matthew O’Malia and chemist/materials scientist Joshua Henry—along with an update on its progress. […]

New Staff Housing Dedicated at Chewonki

November 20, 2019

On Saturday, Nov. 9, OPAL Management Partner Timothy Lock made the scenic drive to the Chewonki, in Wiscasset. It’s a well-worn path for Tim, who is managing an extensive portfolio of projects that will renew the campus of that venerable, vibrant outdoor education institution. […]

Matt O’Malia Honored with Alnoba Environmental Leadership Award

November 6, 2019

An important part of OPAL’s practice—and of our firm’s success—has been collaborating with clients whose vision aligns with ours, and whose energy and ideas inspire us to accomplish more than we thought we were capable of. In recent years, no client has exemplified that dynamic more than Harriet and Alan Lewis, of the Boston-based Lewis Family Foundation. […]

Passive House—and the GO Home—in Forbes

June 13, 2019

We were pleased to learn that a story in Forbes magazine entitled Passive House—Building the Efficient Home of the Future would feature the GO Home, our very first Passive House project. […]

GO Lab Awarded State Technology Grant

April 11, 2019

GO Lab is a Maine-based R&D company that develops advanced building products for the high performance construction market. A partnership of chemist and materials engineer Joshua Henry and GO Logic co-founder Matthew O’Malia, GO Lab is currently working to establish the first North American production of wood fiber building insulation. […]

Cornerspring Montessori School in Maine Home + Design

November 21, 2018

GO Logic’s relationship with Cornerspring Montessori School, in Belfast, began when the firm and the school were both just getting off the ground. Over the years, members of our firm have been school parents, design consultants, neighbors, and board volunteers. So our collaboration on Cornerspring’s new school building, for which GOL provided both design and construction services, was a labor of love. […]

GO Logic Makes the Architect 50 List

November 15, 2018

We are pleased to announce that GO Logic has been named to Architect magazine’s 2018 Architect 50 list. Each year, Architect, the journal of the American Institute of Architects, ranks the top 50 firms in the categories of Design, Sustainability, Business, and Overall. […]

Herring Gut Learning Center Looks to the Future

November 8, 2018

Herring Gut Learning Center is a Maine-based nonprofit that provides hands-on learning experiences in aquaculture and marine science for both students and educators. GO Logic recently assisted Herring Gut in re-envisoning the institution’s beautiful Port Clyde campus to support expanded educational and professional development programs. […]

Maine Rural Modern in Maine Home + Design

November 1, 2018

The November issue gives pride of place to GO Logic, with a cover story on our recently completed Maine Rural Modern. […]

Matt O’Malia Profiled in Maine Magazine’s “50 Mainers” Issue

September 27, 2018

GO Logic has completed projects across the Northeast and Midwest, but we are first and foremost a Maine-based firm, with a strong commitment to our home state. For that reason, it is especially gratifying that Maine magazine has included GO Logic partner and principal architect Matt O’Malia in its annual “50 Mainers” issue. […]

TreeHugger Likes GO Home

September 5, 2018

“It’s a classic design refined through trial and error; it is Passivhaus; it is prefabricated; it is boxy but beautiful. It’s practically perfect.” […]

Downeast Contemporary Makeover

July 26, 2018

An inspiring view and a beloved but dated family retreat were the predicate for this Downeast Maine residential renovation. Now nearing completion, the project makes extensive use of the original buildings—a three-bedroom main house and a small guest cottage—while thoroughly modernizing their functional and aesthetic qualities. […]

Bellwether Farm Nears Completion

July 20, 2018

With 37 buildings—totaling more than 36,000 square feet—on a 140-acre site, the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio’s Bellwether Farm is one of GO Logic’s largest projects to date. […]

A Panelized Custom Residential Project

July 13, 2018

We developed our panelized Passive House construction system specifically for the GO Home line of predesigned houses, but it’s proven efficient and cost-effective on a number of GO Logic custom home projects too. This current project on Cape Cod may be the system’s most challenging application to date, and with the first of two panel installations now complete, we’re very pleased with the results. […]

Reflections on Wood and Sustainability

July 3, 2018

It’s been more than a month since the Maine Wood + Sustainability Conference, and it’s still a topic of conversation around the GO Logic studio. Measured in plain numbers, the event was a big success, exceeding its target attendance by 50 percent, and the presentations were enlightening and informative across the … um … board. […]

Pushing the Boundaries of Building Performance

Jun 19, 2018

GO Logic partner and principal architect Matt O’Malia addressed a group of New Hampshire AIA members last week, presenting a continuing education course on his firm’s evolving approach to high performance design and construction. Speaking in GO Logic’s recently completed Alnoba retreat center, Matt led the group on a deep dive into the design, detailing, and energy modeling of the very building in which the session took place. […]

Alnoba Honored with AIA Maine Design Awards

May 17, 2018

This year’s AIA Maine Design Awards were announced on May 16, and we’re proud to say that our Alnoba project was recognized with a Citation award. […]

Maine Wood + Sustainability Conference

May 7, 2018

If wood didn’t exist and someone invented it, the result would be hailed as a wonder material. Trees are renewable and recyclable, provide wildlife habitat, stabilize topsoil, provide cooling shade, and sequester carbon. And the wood they produce—without the need for a factory, and with only solar power—has an enormous range of applications in high performance construction, from structure to insulation to finishes. That range is growing, a trend that GO Logic is proud to support with our use of innovative cross-laminated timber construction and our development—through our R+D company, GO Lab—of wood fiber-based insulation products. […]

Downtown Renovation

May 2 2018

Despite Maine’s rustic image in the outside world, the state is dotted with beautiful, historic red-brick downtowns, islands of urbanism in a predominantly rural landscape. Dating mostly from the 19^thcentury, the buildings that make up these commercial districts have proven as sturdy and adaptable as they are charming. They’re also, generally speaking, energy hogs, a condition that’s much trickier to rectify than it is in newer, freestanding structures. […]

Wellesley Residence is Fine Homebuilding’s 2018 Best New Home

Apr 26, 2018

Fine Homebuilding is unique among shelter magazines. As its name implies, it’s a trade publication, geared for people who design and build houses. The magazine’s contributors include architects and builders as well as professional writers, and its content is pitched for professionals who want to pick up practical skills and tips rather than simply admire beautiful houses. […]

Maine Coastal Transformation Nears Completion

Apr 11, 2018

We’ll admit to flinching a little when we hear the term “tear-down,” but some older houses simply don’t merit the investment required for a major upgrade. That was the case with this GO Logic project near the shore in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. […]

GO Logic Leaders to Address Passive House Multi-Family Conference

Matthew O’Malia to Deliver Design Norumbega Lecture

Alnoba on Maine Public Television

Waterville’s Downtown Revitalization Picks up Steam

Flight Plan

New Cornerspring Montessori School Building Commended for Energy Efficiency

Ageless Maine

GO Lab in the Spotlight

Family Structure: Maine Rural Modern is Complete!

Quebec Street Residence is Complete!

GO Logic Projects Featured in Passive House Detailing Guide

GO Lab Honored as a Housing Innovator

Construction Begins on Sheldon Calvary Camp Dining Hall

Of Stone, Wood, and Glass: Alnoba

Quincy Bay Residence Featured in Design New England Magazine

AIA New England Honor Award for Wellesley Residence

GO Lab in Green Building Advisor

Construction is underway on Bellwether Farm

Passive-House Pioneers

GO Logic introduces: GO Lab

GO Logic launches a new Passive House prefab brand: the GO Home!

AIA New England Design Awards

Cornerspring Montessori School Groundbreaking

Prefabulous Small Houses

Belfast, Maine Solar Project

AIA Maine Awards

Cousins River Residence Receives Editor’s Choice Award

20th International Passive House Conference

Design Palate Cleanser: The Pavilion Scheme

Little House on the Ferry Featured in Fine Homebuilding Magazine

GO Logic Is Hiring!

NESEA Building Energy Conference 2016

Cousins River Residence Featured in Maine Home + Design

A Quick Design Palate Cleanser…

First Church of Belfast Renovations

GO Logic Receives Maine Technology Institute Seed Grant

Stop Motion Video of Passive House Construction

GO Logic Community Involvement Leads Belfast Towards Net Zero

Masters of Architecture

GO Logic is pleased to have our Little House on the Ferry project featured in this month’s issue of Maine Home + Design. The December Architecture Issue celebrates architects and their projects from around the state.

Passive House Wall Section Development, Part III

Passive House Wall Section Development, Part II

House on a Knoll featured in The New Small House

AIA New England Design Award for Little House on the Ferry

Sheldon Calvary Camp

Passive House Wall Section Development, Part I

A Grand Award for Little House on the Ferry

Little House on the Ferry Featured in Dwell

Wolfe’s Neck Master Plan Featured in Maine Home + Design

Cornerspring Montessori School Capital Campaign Passes $500,000 Mark

GO Logic Intern Takes on Climate Change

19th Annual International Passive House Conference

First Panelized Building Installed

Passive House as Educational Tool

Warren Woods Featured on Inhabitat

Warren Woods Ecological Field Station Featured on Dezeen

Warren Woods Featured on Architect’s Newspaper’s Facades+ Blog

Warren Woods Ecological Field Station in the New York Times!

COR-TEN and Passive Dacha

Passive House from Coast to Coast!

MaineBiz Recognizes GO Logic in Supporting Maine’s Economy

Quincy Bay Residence In Construction

NAPHN14 Conference

Sierra Club Magazine Features TerraHaus

The Completion of Warren Woods Ecological Field Station

The Jung Haus Featured on Forbes’ Personal Economy Blog

The “Lock-In” Concept and Passive House Construction

Cobscook Bay Construction Progress

Cousins River Update

Hayfield House Passive House Certification

Announcing Cousins River Residence!

Jung Haus Receives “Best Energy-Smart Home” Award

Introducing Potwine Passive House!

GO Logic to present at the 2014 International Passive House Conference

GO Logic Featured in Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors

Building Above Code Walls

Hayfield House Passes the Final Blower Door Test

Our Most Recent Passive House Certification: Jung Haus!

NESEA + BuildingEnergy14

CLT Construction

Warren Woods Site Visit

Portland, ME Energy Efficient Renovation

GO Logic Featured on Houzz

Announcing Island Residence!

THERM Energy Modeling for the Warren Woods Ecology Field Station

November at Belfast Cohousing and Ecovillage

The Challenges of Certifying Warren Woods, the Passive House Lab

Groundbreaking! University Of Chicago Warren Woods Ecology Field Station

Cobscook Bay Project Progress

2013 PHIUS Conference

3D Printing

Green Buildings Open House

What’s The Architects’ Biggest Lever?

GO Logic + Houzz

Kneer-Sudefenster + GO Logic

Cobscook Bay House Update

Cove End in Maine Home + Design

On The Boards: Warren Woods Ecology Field Station

Passive House and Permaculture

Hayfield House

Cobscook Bay House Groundbreaking

Maine Home + Design

Jung Haus Construction Completed!

The GO Home Feature on Houzz

Build Like This: A Simple Approach to Building a Super-efficient House

Update: Inaugural Midwest Project Nears Completion

GO Logic’s first-ever project in Michigan is nearing completion. Its location isn’t the only unique aspect of this project as the design itself also represents something of a departure from the norm that has been established with other recent GO Logic projects. The house (which is on target to be Passive House certified in 2013), for example, includes a full basement and exterior walls formed in traditional Larsen Truss fashion.

WKAR Public Radio News Story on GO Logic’s Michigan Passive House

Funding Not-For-Profits With Insulation

Naturally, funding for not-for-profit foundations in a slow economy is not readily available. Many foundations have taken on aging academic and municipal buildings as a solution to getting up and running without incurring the high costs of a constructing a building of their own only to discover the ongoing maintenance and repair of an aging building is relentless and the cost of heating and cooling the building is astronomical. For organizations operating on very limited facilities budgets, building performance concerns can hamstring all other operations. Interestingly, as evidenced through our work with a local arts foundation in Belfast, Maine, spending money on renovating older structures could be the silver bullet for cash-strapped not-for-profits.

Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage Hits Major Milestone

This July, six residents of our Belfast Cohousing project began moving into their homes. Twenty-seven of the thirty-six units have been purchased, and three duplexes and one triplex have so far been completed. We’re on track to complete another six units by year’s end.

Eco Structure Magazine Profile: G•O Logic Believes That Performance Must Be Proven With Data.

Eco Structure Magazine’s 2012 Evergreen Award Winner: GO Logic’s TerraHaus

GO Logic’s Passive House certified TerraHaus, on Unity College’s Campus, recently won an award in Eco Structure Magazine’s 2012 Evergreen Awards!

TerraHaus- 2012 AIA New England Citation Design Award

We’re very pleased to announce that TerraHaus has been chosen to receive a 2012 AIA New England Citation Design Award.

A year in the GO Home

My family and I have been living in the GO Home for a year now. The house has surpassed our expectations in terms of performance and in general livibility. As our second winter in the home approaches, we look forward to watching the onset of cold weather creep through the field from our light filled living room. On the coldest days it is difficult to get a sense of the temperature outside because there is almost no impact inside.

EcoHome Grand Award 2012: TerraHaus, Unity College Dorm

First Passive House-certified student residence hall in the United States earns special recognition from the EcoHome Magazine jury.

Rocky Coast News on the TerraHaus Project

The GO Home Receives 2011 Project of the Year Award From US Green Building Council

Unity College Passive Haus on Jettson Green

Preston, the founder/Chief Editor of Jetson Green recently blogged about the TerraHaus, Unity College’s most recent student residence hall that is on target to be passive house certified.

Unity College Scores Again With TerraHaus That’s Passivhaus on Tree Hugger

Unity College’s TerraHaus on The Green Building Advisor

The TerraHaus was recently featured on the Green Building Adviser in a well written article by Richard Defendorf. The article describes the strict energy requirements of the Passive House standard, as well as the design and the construction necessities to achieve certification.

Bruce Irving writes in Perspective Magazine about German Windows

Bruce Irving, who has knows the building business from renovations to new construction, wrote an amusing and insightful article about the pros and cons of German windows, and their use in American buildings.

The financial benefits of investing in a Passive House

To demonstrate the investment value in a GO Logic home, we have compared the construction cost and lifetime energy savings of a Passive House vs. a standard built home in today’s dollars. The calculation compares the typical lifetime (30 year) costs of each construction method, taking into account inflation and operating costs.

Job Sites in Maine, Part Three

Martin Holladay, writer for the Green Building Adviser, recently visited a small house we are building in Bath, Maine.

What is a Green Building? Energy Efficient!

It makes sense that building energy consumption should be the focus of the green building movement. The Passive House Standard, developed 30 years ago in Germany, has led the way in developing near zero energy building technology, and now has a proven track record of buildings that use 90% less energy than standard construction.

Dorms get even greener

GO Logic’s Unity College Residence Hall on Green Building Advisor

Gearing Up for a Passive House Residence at Unity College
G•O Logic Homes of Belfast, Maine, will lead the way in designing and building what could become the first college student residence in the U.S. to earn Passive House certification