A DESIGN CORPORATION

INNOVATION

COLLABORATION

SUSTAINABILITY

These are the principles which guide us through all aspects of our work, regardless of a projects scope and character.

With derivation from Native American and Scandinavian languages, our name suggests devotion to an architecture at once respectful of its neighbors, reactive with its site and timeless in its design.

To that end - we always promote:

skaala is a full service company, with very strong production and communication skills while the cornerstone of the firm is its design talent. With a devoted, collaborative effort we work together with our clients to develop the most appropriate design solution for their program. With 20 years of New England residential design and construction experience, skaala is the right team mate to help develop your home. Our work with builders and clients has lead to many fine relationships, testifying to a well rounded understanding of construction detailing and the intricacies of the home building process.

Please take a moment to review this partial collection of our work, and let us know your thoughts on how skaala might be the ideal collaborative partner for your project.

New and better ways of building, while respecting our history.
A strong team ethic amongst the builder, client and ourselves.
Sensibility with the environment, serving future generations as well as our own.

FOUNDER &

PRINCIPLE

DAVID G JOHNSON, AIA

David Johnson received his Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Architecture at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island.

After graduation he worked in London, England and Newport, R.I. before spending 13 years at the prestigious firm of Hutker Architects in Falmouth and Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. While there, Dave became an associate tasked with project design and risk management oversight. Responsible for many projects that were published during his tenure, Dave’s design influence was sought for projects of multiple typologies/descriptions, from shingle style to modern interpretations of New England’s agrarian vernacular.

Through his experience Dave has learned how to effectively lead a project through the design process from initial concept sketch to Design Development and construction. At home in the field as in the office, Dave has garnered a respect amongst the builders with whom he works. These relationships have become a centerpiece of Dave’s approach to project leadership: a spirit of collaborative effort focused on bringing the client’s goals to fruition. We understand building because we are builders.

While embracing new construction technologies and techniques with every project, Dave strives to create architecture in harmony with its site and respective of its vernacular. A leader of energy efficiency efforts, projects under Dave’s supervision have continuously performed above average and typically far exceed state mandated standards.

In 2007, Dave relocated to Camden Maine and founded the new firm skaala, LLC.

Dave is a Registered Architect in the states of Maine and Massachusetts and is a LEED Accredited Professional. He is also a member of the AIA.

EDUCATION

Roger Williams University Bristol, Rhode Island Bachelor of Architecture 1990

Silvermine School of Art

EQUALITY PROTOCOL

More than anything, skaala architecture stands for equity amongst all peoples. It is astounding to think that we even need to make such a statement, but the current environment in the world requires that we make every effort to call out prejudice and intolerance where ever and whenever we see it.

We contact our consultants, general contractors, and sub-contractors to make them aware of this statement and make it clear that skaala architecture simply won’t work with anyone or any business that doesn’t openly agree and commit to supporting this statement. It is shocking how many examples we have seen of systemic racism, inequality of compensation for women in equal jobs, sexual harassment on the job, bias towards the LGBTQ community, etc.

This is a small statement by a small firm, but it is meant to be an empowering mind set. We simply commit to call out any and all prejudicial or harassing statements, gestures or actions, whether they are seen or heard in any office, on any job site, in any vehicle, on any zoom call. We simply won’t stand for it.

To put our money where our mouth is, we also openly support Black Lives Matter, The National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood and LGBTQ Victory Fund, amongst others.