Landform is a Portland-based design + build firm focused
on high-performance, high-design, and high-value infill projects. I handle zoning/permitting, architectural
design, and general contracting.

Let’s work together.

edin@landformbuild.com
(708) 620-9310

63 Federal St.
Portland, ME 04101

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02. Oakdale ADU

NOV 2025 — ONGOING
DESIGN | PERMITTING | GENERAL CONTRACTING

This project in Portland’s Oakdale neighborhood addresses a client’s need for an additional full-time residence on their property for family. Constrained by a few key zoning dimensional standards for accessory dwellings — namely that we were limited to 2/3 the principal structure’s 1,500 SF floor area and 18’ building height — I employed a couple of design strategies to achieve a two-story ADU to maximize floor area and yard space. By sinking the first-floor slab 10″ below grade and using a flat roof with insulation to the top of the sheathing, I have designed a 3BR ADU that occupies only 500 SF of yard space while meeting land use and building code constraints. Opting for a frost-protected shallow foundation minimized excavation near the property line, and panelized prefab construction with Croft (Rockland, ME) has enabled us to run panelization in parallel with site and foundation work.

Stay tuned for more updates through the build.

01. DEERING CENTER FOREVER HOME

COMPLETED SEP 2024
DESIGN | PERMITTING | CABINETRY

This is a personal project — my family’s forever home in Portland’s Deering Center neighborhood. The design is grounded in our day-to-day life, with generous space for both our kids and our toys/hobbies, and the flexibility to comfortably host long-term guests. The house has continued to evolve alongside us: in our first year alone, we operated a four-person law firm out of the living room and hosted parents for several months.

I served as the designer and led all permitting and pre-construction project management. In addition, I designed and built over 90 linear feet (and counting) of custom cabinetry. Spruce features prominently throughout the home — from exposed Nordic Lam glulams in the mudroom and kitchen, to a four-story CLT stair tower, to 3-ply “mini-CLT” plywood used for cabinetry and flooring.

Read more in this Green & Health Maine Homes feature.

Carpentry and general contracting by Spindrift Carpentry.

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FEASIBILITY STUDIES

Before you spend real money on design, you should know exactly what your property can support — and what it will cost to get there. Landform Build feasibility studies combine zoning analysis with practical site constraints and real-world financial modeling so you can make confident decisions early.

I look at things like:

  • Development pathways (lot splits, additional dwelling units, multi-unit conversions, backyard/sideyard infill)

  • Current zoning and the latest updates (LD 2003, LD 1829, Portland ReCode)

  • Basic site design factors and technical constraints (access, parking, utilities, stormwater, setbacks, etc.)

  • Financial feasibility + project scope matching your budget and lending reality

The result is a clear understanding of your true development potential — and a plan that aligns ambition with affordability.

Owner’s Rep

Building is complicated — and small decisions can snowball into expensive ones. As your owner’s rep, Landform Build helps you keep the project moving, protect your budget, and make sure the design and construction process stays aligned with your goals.

I act as a practical, code-fluent point person who can coordinate between your architect, engineer, contractor, and permitting staff — translating between disciplines, flagging risks early, and keeping the work focused on delivering value.

This often includes:

  • Scope and budget alignment

  • Constructability and cost review of early designs

  • Value engineering

  • Coordination support across consultants and contractors

  • Reviewing bids, change orders, and “hidden scope creep” before it hits the bottom line

  • Helping you make decisions faster — with clear tradeoffs and real consequences

The goal is simple: reduce costly surprises, prevent over-design, and improve project efficiency.

Permitting

Landform Build helps clients navigate code enforcement and various permitting pathways.

This includes support for:

  • Nonconforming structures and expansion rules

  • Change of use, conversions, and additions

  • Permit strategy and code interpretation

  • Planning for approvals

Many issues can be resolved through clear documentation and communication. And when escalation is needed, I can collaborate with the right attorneys and professionals to support the project.

ABO
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My name is Eric, and Landform is my solo practice.

I bring a rare combination of breadth and depth to everything I do — never content to be confined to just the details or only the big picture. My career began not in construction, but in engineering entrepreneurship. I spun a battery technology company out of my graduate school research that grew from NSF grant funding, where I handled everything from grant writing to circuit board design to business development with global automotive and battery OEMs.

Over time, I realized that engineering alone lacked an aesthetic creativity I craved. That realization led me on a self-directed journey into architectural design, zoning and housing policy, and construction management — an effort that eventually led to the launch of Landform Design + Build. I see the design/build process as a connected system, where regulatory constraint, design, financial feasibility, and construction all inform one another. My strength lies in working across these disciplines, combining them into a seamless process that maximizes efficiency, creativity, and value for clients.

At Landform, I focus on infill projects — ADUs, single-family homes, and multi-family housing — where thoughtful design meets efficient construction. I run a lean operation, partnering with trusted trade and professional collaborators, while applying my background in project and people management to keep every detail aligned. The result: projects that are practical, beautifully designed, and built to deliver value.

Eric Din

edin@landformbuild.com
(708) 620-9310