Rooted in Pine, Built for the Future: Hancock Lumber’s Showcase of Sustainability and Craftsmanship www.nelma.org
Carol and Kevin Hancock.
Nestled in the heart of Casco, Maine—where Eastern White Pines tower and heritage runs deep—Hancock Lumber continues to blend innovation with tradition. Since 1848, this seventh-generation, family-owned company has served as a steward of Maine’s forests, a leader in sustainable building practices, and a champion of local wood products. Their latest tribute to that legacy? Two striking new buildings on their Casco campus, designed to showcase the company’s most prized natural resource: Eastern White Pine.
A Home Office Steeped in Heritage
Hancock Lumber’s Carol J. Hancock Home Office, completed in 2019, isn’t just an administrative center, it’s a tangible expression of the company’s values and history. Located across from the sawmill and surrounded by 7,500 acres of responsibly managed timberland, the office is designed to reflect Hancock’s commitment to sustainability, community, and craftsmanship.
Front of Hancock Lumber’s building.
Designed by Simons Architects and built by Zachau Construction, the two-story structure is a celebration of the Eastern White Pine that has defined the company for over 175 years. From the exterior siding to the smallest trim details, locally grown and milled Pine is on full display.
“Hancock Lumber dates to 1848 and our origins are rooted in Eastern White Pine,” said Kevin Hancock. “We wanted to feature the product and resource that has lived at the core of our company’s existence.”
The exterior blends architectural texture and form: 10″ C-Select nickel gap Pine runs horizontally at the base, while the upper half features a vertical reverse board and batten style using mixed-width Pine boards stained in two coordinating shades. All wood was grown in Maine and milled on-site at Hancock’s Casco facility.
Inside, natural wood tones create warmth and continuity, with select walls clad in the same material used outdoors.
Interior clerestory walls made from clear Pine bathe the space in natural light, enhancing the connection to the forest just outside. The 7G Conference Room, named in honor of the seven generations of Hancock family leadership, houses a circular table featuring a century-old Pine slab at its center, symbolizing inclusive leadership where every voice is heard and each person shares equal space at the table.
Other spaces honor key figures in the company’s history. The Wendy Scribner HR Room recognizes nearly four decades of HR leadership. The George Burns Breakout Room celebrates Hancock’s longtime legal counsel, while the Toby Hammond Room acknowledges the company’s first non-family president. Most meaningful of all is the building’s namesake: Carol J. Hancock, a multigenerational leader and guiding force within the company.
Downstairs, visitors are greeted by a whitewashed Pine wall and a striking C-Select accent wall with Pine half-wall details near the copier. Trim throughout is a consistent 4″ C-Select, reinforcing visual unity and craftsmanship. Even the kitchen and break room, named for beloved family matriarch Elizabeth “Aunt Betty” Hancock, uses Eastern White Pine extensively, including in a built-in coffee station that turns a simple break area into an extension of Hancock’s brand and values.
A New Mill Office That Mirrors the Mission
In 2022, Hancock added another architectural jewel to its Casco campus with the new Casco Mill Office. Designed by KW Architects and built by Main Eco Homes, this space houses the sawmill general manager and teams for sales, marketing, scheduling, and HR.
Mill office.
Like the home office, the mill building serves as a full-scale exhibit of Eastern White Pine. The exterior combines 8” C-Select band sawn nickel gap boards, installed horizontally on the lower walls and vertically above. Exterior trim, soffits, and accents are also cut from C-Select Pine.
The interior is equally expressive. Each office features a personalized Pine palette—employees selected from finishes like whitewash, clear coat, and barnwood brown. Walls are clad in 6″ vertical nickel gap boards, and a downstairs recessed ceiling trimmed in 4″ Pine adds architectural depth. The upstairs conference room includes a band sawn Pine accent wall stained black, offering a modern contrast to the natural wood tones throughout.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Conference room.
Both buildings are more than showcases of wood—they’re testaments to sustainable design. Using locally harvested Eastern White Pine reduces transportation emissions and supports regional forestry practices. The efficient, natural materials help lower energy use while offering a warm, biophilic work environment.
Beyond the walls, Hancock’s sustainability efforts stretch into the surrounding landscape. Adjacent to the campus lies Jugtown Forest, 5,000 acres of privately owned, responsibly managed land open to the public. This working forest supports selective harvesting and ecological stewardship while providing recreational trails for employees and visitors, resulting in a living classroom for forest conservation.
The Story These Buildings Tell
Together, the Carol J. Hancock Home Office and Casco Mill Office represent more than modern workplaces. They are monuments to a company that sees its future rooted in its past. Each board, beam, and finish speaks to a long-standing respect for the forest, a deep pride in craftsmanship, and an unwavering belief in community.
For Hancock Lumber, Eastern White Pine is more than a product—it’s a way of life. These buildings remind us that when design, tradition, and sustainability work hand in hand, the result is not just a structure, but a legacy.
