Topped with an Englert metal roof, the new Maine Lakes Resource Center in Belgrade Lakes, Maine is the initiative of Docks to Doorways -- a coalition of Colby College and conservation-minded groups, including the Belgrade Lakes Association and the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance. The facility is considered Maine’s center for lake water quality conservation and advocacy. In addition, the building is a focal point for the community—hosting concerts, art exhibits, seminars and the region’s farmers market.

The architectural details of the building are aimed at evoking an agricultural heritage and the local timber framer travelled to Pennsylvania to select timber for the interior from razed barns that were 200 to 300 years old. The building is capped by an Englert Series 1300 Galvalume Plus standing seam roof chosen for its traditional aesthetics, durability and snow-shedding capabilities. The 3,800 square foot roof was custom fabricated on-site from 24-gauge, 24-inch wide coil. However, the majority of the panels were trimmed to 18 inches to achieve a symmetrical seam layout integrating with the numerous shed dormers and cupola. C.O. Beck & Son was the roof installer. Co-owner Carl Beck reports the biggest challenge was doing the detailed custom work during the dead of winter.

The architect was Art Dioli of Olson Lewis Dioli & Doktor Architects & Planners, Inc. in Manchester, MA. The general contractor was Mark Gliniewicz of Belgrade Lakes Carpentry Inc. in Waterville, ME. The timber framer was Matt Morrill of Grand View Log & Timber Frames in Winthrop, ME.