Jesse Thompson Principal

Jesse is an award winning architect who has become a national leader in building science and green design. Jesse is increasingly seen as an architect who is knowledgeable not just in the craft and details of the professsion but who also has a deep holistic understanding of construction on the macro and micro level.

Jesse Thompson received his B.Arch from the University of Oregon in 1996. He is a Maine Licensed Architect (NCARB), a member of the AIA (The American Institute of Architects), a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and the first architect in northern New England to become a Certified Passive House Consultant. He is a registered Architect in Maine, Virginia & Maryland.

Jesse serves on the Board of Directors of the Maine Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Co-chairs the Advocacy Committee of the Portland Society of Architects (PSA). He recently served on the steering committee for the PSA Symposium, "Rising Tides," a critical look at how the issues of climate change and rising sea levels will affect the city of Portland, which brought local and national experts on this topic together with concerned citizens in Maine.  Jesse is a regular guest juror for student work in the Architecture Department at the University of Maine as well as a regular participant in the PSA's community focused, "Ten Minute Architect."   In recent years, he has been a volunteer steering committee member and designer for Greater Portland Habitat for Humanity.  He is a founding member of the newly formed Maine Passivhaus Alliance, which promotes education about this German originated energy efficiency movement.

He has practiced all phases of architecture and design while working at firms in Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont.  Jesse grew up in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, and lives in the Deering Center neighborhood of Portland with his family.

Jesse’s portfolio straddles the residential and commercial worlds, and has a deep knowledge of modern construction types and project planning. These projects have ranged from designing intimate residential additions to managing multi-million dollar construction projects. Jesse is Kaplan Thompson's director of technical and digital practices, maintaining our leadership in energy efficient construction techniques, software adoption and digital construction management.

Jesse used to hold the office record for the coldest day commuting on bike to work, but has been trumped by younger & tougher staff!