Oak Point Associates was responsible for the complete renovation of an 18,000 sf municipal building located in North Berwick, Maine. Our services included architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and all facets of engineering design.
The premise for the renovation was to create an interior that allows the Town Offices, Police Department and MSAD 60 Administrative Offices to co-exist in a more effective, efficient manner. The redesign included repairs to inadequate building systems, a new handicapped accessible entrance, and a four-bay garage for the Police Department to house their vehicles in compliance with Homeland Security regulations.
A large portion of the project focused on programming - to assess space and storage requirements and identify adjacencies for individuals and departments. It was evident that the facility was completely underutilized. There was insufficient storage and filing throughout, a lack of conference/meeting spaces, and a layout that did not align with the necessary work flow and communication between individuals and departments. To gain the amount of space required for the new program, it was essential to gut the entire building - including an attic space which had not been used for many years.
The result is a new facility that has addressed the space needs for all office areas. It now has an appropriate amount of conference space and increased storage and filing locations, and meets all safety codes. Several employees wanted to maintain the character of the building, therefore some of the existing materials were incorporated in the final design. The materials and finishes selected, the addition of skylights and improved lighting helped to create well-defined, inviting work areas and public spaces throughout.
North Berwick, Maine
