Our focus on sustainable architecture, our emphasis on neighborhood context, and our interest in both traditional and contemporary design theory serve as the basis of our design philosophy. A house should be welcoming and comfortable to its occupants, but it is just as important that the structure itself be comfortable within its surroundings.

We believe that the design process -- and especially so with residential design -- should be a collaborative effort with the client. We stress open communication and listen carefully to our clients to develop a comprehensive understanding of their project objectives and their budget expectations. 

Beginning with our initial consultation, we consider the likely construction costs for the project at hand and offer general guidance as to the overall project feasibility, including the suitability of the site and/or the existing structure to accommodate the proposed project, possible zoning constraints or environmental issues, value added / resale implications, and the potential return on the construction dollar. We might suggest alternative design approaches that could prove to be more cost effective, and we continue to consider any other options throughout the design process.

As we begin the design work, we carefully survey, measure, and document the existing house and/or site conditions, remaining mindful of our clients’ goals for both the project scope and the construction budget as we start development of the initial conceptual drawings.

We assist in resolving issues that are often inherent with residential design and construction on smaller, in-town lots. Services may include guidance and submittals to architectural review boards, zoning variances, and historic preservation commission approvals.

With the conceptual design determined, the project scope and the preliminary budget estimate confirmed, and approval secured for any necessary regulatory issues, we’ve minimized the risk of unexpected issues along the way. We then proceed with a detailed set of construction documents and a comprehensive written project description, allowing our clients to secure competitive bids from contractors, and also facilitating the permit process for the contractor.  We can assist our clients with bid evaluation, and can continue to assist with ongoing oversight during construction.

Our methodology has won our firm accolades from clients, and our designs have received recognition from professional organizations and several awards from local historical commissions.