Our History
Our rich history of thousands of projects and of working with the world’s signature architects for over 50 years is only the beginning.
Duratherm Through The Years
The 1940’s/50’s: The Early Days
1945
Duratherm Founder Phil Cole starts Cole’s Mill in Littleton, New Hampshire,- a millwork company that produced door and window trim, interior doors, wainscoting and cabinetry.
1953
Cole’s Mill becomes Architectural Woodcraft.
The 1960’s: A Change of Scenery brings a Change in Product
1967
Architectural Woodcraft moves to Vassalboro, ME to better serve the growing millwork needs within the state of Maine.
The 1970’s: Duratherm is Gaining Momentum in the Window and Door World
1970
Architectural Woodcraft becomes Duratherm Window Company with a focus on making the best wood windows and doors in the market.
1972
Duratherm emerges as premier wood window and door manufacturer by providing meticulously crafted windows for Louis Kahn’s Phillips Exeter Academy Library in Exeter, NH. This project would become one of the most recognizable, iconic and revered 20th century modern buildings.
1978
Duratherm builds new facility in Vassalboro, ME to support increased manufacturing capacity required after being awarded the Harbor Plaza project with Mitchell Giurgola. This unique project featured triple glazed hopper windows with interior blinds.
1979
Duratherm is chosen for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with architect Mitchell Giurgola. Additional work with Giurgola included Chase Manhattan Plaza in NY, and UCSD Science Building in CA. UCSD was Duratherm’s first West Coast Institutional project.
The 1980’s: Notable Architects are Choosing Duratherm for their Projects
1980
Wainwright Office Building in St. Louis designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler undergoes restoration and addition. Duratherm works with design architect Mitchell Giurgola to provide Duratherm product. This tall steel office building was recognized as an early skyscraper.
1981
Window and door supplier for American Academy of Arts & Sciences Building in MA with Kallman Mckinnell Wood Architecture. – AIA Honor Award for Architecture
1983
Duratherm is chosen to provide windows and doors for the Guaranty Building Renovation in Buffalo, NY. Originally designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler -this project was their final collaboration. Restoration architect was Cannon Design.
1983
Duratherm product featured at Anchorage Museum in Anchorage, Alaska. Architectural firm Maynard and Partch worked with Mitchell Giurgola Architects on design.
1986
Duratherm makes a statement in Boston with the providing of windows, doors and millwork for the Rowes Wharf (SOM Design Architect) project featuring condo units, rotunda windows and the luxurious Boston Harbor Hotel. Private residence in Maryland kicks off working relationship with Cesar Pelli & Associates. Additional projects include Trinity College in CT, Vassar College Center for Drama and Film in NY, St. Thomas More House in CT, Institute for Advance Study in NJ
The 1990’s: Duratherm Projects Expand to Locations Well Beyond Maine
1991
Private residence in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands by Mullen Palandrani includes Duratherm windows and doors.
1992
Architect Frank Gehry designs Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis featuring custom Duratherm storefront entrance.
1994
Tim Downing becomes majority shareholder and steps into the roll of President. A conscientious effort to serve the growing high-end residential sector with a greater array of wood, hardware, and finish options.
1994
Duratherm awarded the Seji Ozawa Music Hall at Tanglewood project with William Rawn Associates. AIA Honor Award winner.
1997
Phillips Exeter Academy Library by Louis Kahn, featuring Duratherm Windows recieves AIA 25 Year Award.
1998
Artech Inc. , architects in Taipei, incorporate Duratherm windows and doors in Taipei, Taiwan residence.
The 2000’s: Continued Collaborations Represent Another Exciting Decade
2000
Turner Brooks Architect collaborates with Duratherm for monumental doors for the Gilder Boathouse at Yale University.
2002
Duratherm provides authenic divided light windows and doors for one of the few residences designed by the late Aldo Rossi.
2005
Lucas Film’s Big Rock Ranch project (Gensler Architects) becomes the largest Duratherm project featuring 10,000 pieces of glass and FSC certified genuine mahogany. Our windows were pictured with George Lucas on the cover of USA Today.
2007
Duratherm windows frame the views of the Grand Tetons in this Robbins Architecture designed residence in Jackson, WY.
2009
Close to home but in another country, Duratherm products are selected for a family compound on Prince Edward Island in Canada by Foster Associates.
The 2010’s: Always Honored to Contribute to Award Winning Projects
2013
House in the Woods with William Reue Architect wins High Honors Award from AIA Westchester.
2013
Nobu Restaurant with Montalba and Studio PCH win AIA LA Restaurant Design Award.
2013
Pound Ridge Residence with Kieran Timberlake Associates wins AIA Pennsylvania Honor Award.
2013
Duratherm expands facility by creating a solar wall for the finish room, and a larger shipping area to create efficiencies while reducing the carbon footprint. Also the company starts a community initiative by developing and offering a wood brickette to the local wood burning community with free delivery to seniors. In the same year, Duratherm establishes a Highland cattle herd, and some goats to graze the manufacturing facilities perimeter pastures, and a community garden as an integral part of its team wellness program.
2015
Vidalakis Residence with Swatt Miers Architects wins Builders Choice Custom Home Design Award.
2015
LeCabanon project with Rick Joy Architects in the British West Indies includes Duratherm product from Vassalboro, Maine.
2016
O’Neill McVoy Architect’s Clinton Hill Courtyard House wins Architect’s Newspaper’s Best of Design Award for Residential Interior.
2017
Kim & Tritton Residence Halls, Haverford College, with Tod Williams and Billie Tsien wins AIA NY Design Award
2019
Duratherm product featured in Architecture In Formation project at St. Kitts Mountaintop Villa in the West Indies.
The 2020’s: Over 55 years in the High End Window Industry and Still Going Strong
2020
Duratherm introduces new Aluminum Clad exterior option. Featuring a patented clip system and extreme temperature variance testing, the Aluminum Clad product looks and performs just like a Duratherm all wood product.
2020
Folgers Shakespeare Library in Washington DC with Kieran Timberlake features Duratherm signature entry door systems and interior doors.
2020
Montalba Architects includes Duratherm products in monumental Pacific Coast Highway Residence with 36 window configurations and 23 doors/door systems.
2021
Sylvia Richards and Christopher Smith collaboration at Adimab Laboratory in New Hampshire includes Duratherm windows. This is Duratherm’s first involvement with a Mass Timber Frame building.
2023
Katadhdin Woods and Water National Monument – Visitors Station in Penobscot, ME features Duratherm windows and doors. Designed by Saunders Architecture with Alisberg Parker Architects acting as Architect of Record.