Meldrum Design is committed to creating beautiful spaces through sustainable, functional, and budget-conscious design.
WHO IS MELDRUM DESIGN?
At the helm is Ash Hopwood Farrar, a licensed architect and the owner of Meldrum Design.
Ash’s designs thoughtfully consider use of space, energy efficiency, air quality, daylight, wind, snow, water usage, function, longevity, and of course, aesthetics. Her experience spans single-family residential, multi-family residential, and commercial buildings.
Passionate about building science, Ash endeavors to only design buildings that minimize their carbon footprint and contribute to the built environment in a positive way.
FUN FACT
”Meldrum" is one of Ash’s middle names. It winds all through the Scottish side of her family tree to Sir Meldrum in 1280. Today, the first woman born to each family inherits the name. To me, Meldrum represents strength in family and the resonance of history. Plus, it's a bit of a weird name and really fun to say!
HOW IT ALL BEGAN. . .
I’ve been obsessed with architecture since I was 11 years old. My 6th-grade math teacher gave us an assignment one day. She handed out a big sheet of graph paper, gave us a square footage to work with and a family size, and asked us to design a floor plan. I completed it in one day and asked for another. It sticks in my mind as the moment I knew I had to design buildings.
Then in 2013, I was working for a typical architect and the struggle was real. Clients were paying a lot of money for designs that were over budget and less than functional — all so this design firm could add another pretty project to their portfolio. This architect’s ego could barely fit through the door! Within a year, I knew I had to do something different. And thus, Meldrum Design was born.
Since 2014, I have led Meldrum Design in working with all types of clients and contractors to provide functional and practical design services, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. In an effort to contribute better, higher performing buildings to our world, I pursued post-collegiate building science training. Buildings generate about 40% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. In creating new structures (or remodeling existing ones), my goal is to only design buildings that minimize their carbon footprint. Code built homes are the worst possible homes you can legally build. We can do better than that.
My specialty is highly efficient, durable homes on mountains in northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and upstate New York). I am a licensed architect in the state of Maine, where I’m free to design single-family residential, multi-family residential, and commercial buildings. In all other states I can work on residential projects like custom homes and apartment buildings.
MY APPROACH
At Meldrum Design, we focus on working in partnership with you, with your contractor, and with any other consultants we bring on to create the best possible building that will provide shelter, comfort, and joy for generations to come.
My design process leaves no stone unturned. Before pricing and definitely before construction, we’re going to figure out all the details and explore all the “what-ifs” so everyone is confident in the design when it’s time to start building. And we’re going to include your contractor in these design conversations as early as possible.
We want contractors to understand and be happy with the plans we create. Architectural plans help homeowners envision what the end result will be like, but for contractors, plans are a tool and a resource. Our plans are made with contractors in mind so pricing the project and building from our drawings is easy.
And I don’t disappear as soon as materials are ordered. Even with the best set of plans, things come up during construction. I am only ever a phone call away when contractors need a second opinion or second set of eyes. Meldrum Design will be part of your team from start to finish.
“It has been a pleasure working with Ashley on several projects. She is prompt and timely. Her attention to detail makes plan reviews… very easy. Additionally, Ashley is gracious and generous. She always has time for me. ”
- PETER KLEIN, PERMIT EXPEDITER