Richard Coakley graduated from Yale Art & Architecture School in 1971, with an MFA degree. Although he majored in sculpture, his primary focus expanded to furniture and building design. At Yale he was able to explore in depth laminated wood sculpture and furniture. His love of wood for its beauty, strength, and practicality was the catalyst for his eventual career in architectural design.

His first design and construction projects on the salt marshes of Essex and Ipswich Massachusetts encouraged further work and when Richard moved with his young family to Pembroke in downeast Maine, he embarked on a life journey of architectural building and design. His projects in Washington county included waterfront homes and two state parks; Roques' Bluff and Cobscook Bay.

In 1986 Richard and his family moved to Sedgwick, Maine where he established his company, Summerbeam, Inc. Since then he has designed and built homes along the shores of Blue Hill, Brooklin, Sedgwick, Penobscot, and Little Deer Isle. Every house has its own unique evolution, but paramount to each is the desire to provide the best in workmanship and creative solutions.

Richard's wife, artist and clothing designer Elizabeth Coakley, owns and operates Mermaid Woolens of Sedgwick, Maine. Encouraged and inspired by Richard, Elizabeth has painted the stair treads of many of his houses with scenes depicting the areas surrounding each house (samples on "Interiors" pages).

Richard Coakley's homes reflect his knowledge and experience in design and building. They also capture his passion and respect for the part of Maine he feels fortunate to live in.