Julien Jalbert, an award-winning architect and partner at Double Husky, has transformed the prefabricated housing industry by creating modular homes and pods that redefine sustainable modern living in Maine. His innovative approach combines boutique-level design with environmentally conscious construction methods, earning him recognition as one of New England Home's Five Under 40 Class of 2025 and numerous accolades from the American Institute of Architects.
Jalbert's architectural journey began with a childhood vision at age four, when he drew a small house and told his mother, "I have to build this." Today, his detailed schematics have evolved into stunning homes that seamlessly integrate with Maine's natural landscape. Working with the Maine-based Knickerbocker Group, Jalbert designs structures that jut out over coastal waters and feature walls of glass that bring rivers and unobstructed views directly into living spaces.
The architect's philosophy centers on humanity's fundamental need for shelter and connection to place. "We always as a species have set ourselves apart from other species because we want to have a sense of shelter, a sense of place to keep us safe, a place to enjoy, to call home," Jalbert explains. "Whether it's at work, at home, industrial buildings, those are spaces that we need to do everything we do day to day."
Jalbert's expertise in modular housing traces back to his education at Northeastern University, where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. Under the guidance of Ivan Rupnick, an associate professor of architecture and modular housing expert, Jalbert first encountered prefabricated units designed for fast, sustainable, and affordable construction. As a student, he envisioned a factory where homes could be completely designed and built before being shipped to their destinations.
"It was this kind of dream which I ultimately ended up bringing to Maine as a reality," Jalbert says. After joining the Knickerbocker Group in 2017, he co-founded the firm's prefab pod division, making it one of only four modular housing providers in Maine. His approach differs significantly from traditional prefab methods, as Knickerbocker's homes are built entirely in-factory as complete units that ship as single boxes, requiring only electrical and water connections upon arrival.
Sustainability remains at the core of Jalbert's designs. His modular homes are entirely electric and constructed from biobased and renewable materials, including locally sourced wood fiber and sheep's wool insulation harvested from Maine sheep. He incorporates natural materials like granite and red cedar directly into the home's structure, creating an organic connection between the built environment and Maine's natural beauty.
"Modular housing and prefabrication in general is the wave of the future in that it minimizes waste, cuts down on schedule timeframes," Jalbert explains. "You build in an environment where your project barely sees any rain or sleet or snow, which can be detrimental to the skeleton of the house." This controlled manufacturing environment allows for precision construction while reducing weather-related damage during the building process.
Rupnick, his former professor, recalls Jalbert's exceptional dedication: "Julien was by far the most motivated student. We developed a series of studies together of modular construction that have since been included in several publications, including the American Institute of Architects. This work is still being used by me to teach other students at Northeastern."
Growing up in rural New Hampshire with a self-taught architect father who ran a millwork business and designed custom homes, Jalbert was surrounded by design from an early age. "I grew up around my dad having one of those drafting tables in our house where I'd always see him sketching and drawing things," he remembers. After briefly studying computer science at Northeastern, Jalbert found his true calling in architecture.
Following his 2011 bachelor's degree, Jalbert worked for Northeastern's campus planning and design team, focusing on renovations for university offices, labs, and classrooms. This experience deepened his commitment to sustainable design, which he carried into his master's program and subsequent work with Boston-based Sousa Design Architects before moving to Maine.
Maine's dramatic landscape provides the perfect canvas for Jalbert's innovative designs. On his first day with the Knickerbocker Group, a ride-along tour revealed the state's stunning coastal beauty. "The rocks diving into the coast and bluffs and trees and crashing waves that make up Maine's coastline are a gift for an architect," he says, though he acknowledges the serious construction challenges this terrain presents.
One recent project exemplifies his approach to working with challenging natural features. "We basically built this house off of the ledge, off of the rock," Jalbert recalls. "We scraped off the rock, we poured the foundation right onto the rock and had these trunks grow out of the rock and then had the house cantilever off of those." Another design brings the Sheepscot River into the living room through expansive glass walls that frame the water view.
Jalbert's attention to detail is legendary within the firm. He has spent up to 40 hours designing a single room, ensuring every element aligns perfectly with his vision. "You can drive by a home where you know someone really thought hard about every little thing," he observes. This meticulous approach stems from his belief that architects must understand how people actually live in their spaces.
Before beginning any design, Jalbert conducts extensive client interviews to understand their daily routines and lifestyle needs. "While he designs the structure, it's ultimately his clients who will fill that home with memories built from daily, intimate interactions with his design," he explains. This human-centered approach ensures that each home functions as both architectural achievement and livable space.
Despite the negative associations many buyers have with modular housing, Jalbert is determined to prove that prefabricated homes can be sustainable, affordable, and beautiful. "I've seen plenty of homes that have been built but not thoroughly designed. You can tell," he says. "That's what I think a good architect does. They think about all the fine, fine details to make everything come together as a cohesive whole."
Jalbert's work represents a significant shift in how architects and homebuyers think about prefabricated housing. By combining sustainable materials, innovative construction methods, and thoughtful design that celebrates Maine's natural environment, he has elevated modular housing from utilitarian structures to architectural showcases that push the boundaries of what's possible in sustainable modern living.
