Custom Home Architects
in Boston

From the start of our design process to move-in, most projects take 24 to 36 months. This includes site analysis and schematic design (2-3 months), permitting and approvals (3-8 months, longer for projects requiring architectural commission review or Boston Planning & Development Agency approval), contractor selection (1-2 months), design development and construction documents (3-5 months), and construction (12-18 months). Boston's review processes can run on the longer end given the city's layered permitting requirements. We'll provide a detailed timeline specific to your project at the beginning of the design process.

Yes. We often work with clients and their Realtors before a property purchase to provide site analysis. In Boston, this is especially important given the layered review processes that may apply: architectural commissions in Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the South End, and other historic districts; Boston Landmarks Commission for individual landmark properties; standard zoning and BPDA review; and the city's stretch energy code requirements. We assess what's allowed by right, what requires special permits, buildable area, and overall project feasibility so you can make a more informed acquisition decision before starting the design process.

Boston has six architectural commissions overseeing local historic districts: Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the South End Landmark District, Bay Village, St. Botolph, and Aberdeen. Each commission reviews any exterior change visible from a public way, with the Beacon Hill and Back Bay commissions being among the strictest in the country. Boston also has the Boston Landmarks Commission, which reviews proposed changes to individually designated landmark properties. We have extensive experience working through these review processes and represent projects at commission hearings.

Boston's residential lots are often smaller and more constrained than suburban lots, with party walls in many neighborhoods, limited yard space, and strict zoning dimensional requirements. Renovations and new construction frequently involve working within existing footprints or making careful additions to the rear, and projects that don't conform to current zoning may require special permits or variances from the Zoning Board of Appeal. We design within these constraints from the start, finding opportunities to add light, livable space, and high performance even on tight urban sites.

Boston has adopted both the Massachusetts stretch energy code and the Opt-In Specialized Energy Code, which set higher efficiency standards than the base state code and include electric-ready construction requirements for new buildings. For renovations, energy code triggers depend on the scope of work. Larger residential buildings (typically over 20,000 square feet) are also subject to Boston's Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO 2.0), which adds annual emissions reporting and reduction requirements. We design to meet or exceed current code requirements and walk you through what applies to your specific project.

Our integrated team brings architecture, in-house mechanical design, and in-house sustainability expertise together from day one, which is an uncommon approach for single-family homes in Boston. Most architecture firms refer mechanical and energy work to outside consultants, which often leads to design choices that look good on paper but underperform in practice. We design the building, the systems, and the energy strategy as one project, which results in homes that are more comfortable, more efficient, and easier to maintain over decades.`