formLAB

Hi, I’m Randy Smith, founder of formLAB in Scarborough, Maine. I help people work through the questions, constraints, and opportunities that come with improving a home or property, then translate those ideas into clear, thoughtful design solutions. Every project starts differently. Sometimes a client has a strong vision; sometimes they know what isn’t working but aren’t sure what the answer is yet. I enjoy solving all kinds of design problems—making better use of space, working within a difficult site or existing structure, balancing competing priorities, or finding a practical path forward when the solution isn’t obvious. My approach is highly collaborative. I don’t believe good design comes from one person dictating the answer. I like to bring the client, builder, consultants, and other people involved into the conversation so we can think through the project together. I listen carefully, ask questions, share ideas openly, and use everyone’s experience to arrive at a stronger solution. There’s no ego attached to the process—the goal is simply to get to the best result for the project. I bring 20 years of experience in residential and commercial design, along with hands-on experience in construction management, permitting, and project coordination. That means I’m thinking about more than how something looks. I’m also considering how it will function, how it can be built, what it may cost, and what constraints need to be addressed along the way. Through formLAB, I can help with feasibility and zoning review, concept and schematic design, drawings for pricing and permitting, construction documents, and coordination with builders and local officials. We can shape the scope around what your project actually needs rather than forcing every client into the same process. I work on projects of many different sizes, from cabins, ADUs, and focused renovations to additions and custom homes. I’m known for clear communication, thoughtful problem-solving, and being straightforward about tradeoffs and priorities. If you’re still figuring out what your project could become, that’s a perfectly good place to start. Tell me what you’re thinking, what isn’t working, or what you’re hoping to accomplish, and we can work through it together.