Custom Home Architects
in New Hampshire

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 (3-6 months, longer if Conservation Commission review, shoreland permitting, or local preservation review is required), contractor selection (1-2 months), design development and construction documents (3-5 months), and construction (12-18 months). Timelines vary significantly by town in NH given the variation in local permitting practices. 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 NH, this is especially valuable given the variation across towns: zoning rules differ widely, many lots rely on private well and septic systems, and properties near water are subject to state shoreland protection regulations. We assess buildable area, well and septic feasibility, solar access, and overall project feasibility so you can make a more informed acquisition decision before starting the design process.

Several things. NH has no statewide historic district framework like Massachusetts Chapter 40C; preservation rules are set town by town, so the regulatory picture varies significantly by location. Most NH properties outside denser town centers rely on private wells and septic systems rather than municipal water and sewer, which affects siting and permitting. NH also has the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act, which adds requirements for any property within 250 feet of public waters. And while NH's energy codes are generally more permissive than MA's, that simply gives high-performance design more room to exceed code rather than chase it.

NH doesn't have a statewide historic district system. Instead, individual towns adopt their own preservation ordinances and historic district commissions. Portsmouth has multiple historic districts, including a substantial downtown Historic District that covers much of the older city. Towns like Exeter, Hanover, New London, Wolfeboro, and Peterborough have their own preservation overlays as well. The specific review process and standards depend entirely on the town. We assess preservation requirements on a project-by-project basis early in design.

NH's Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act applies to all properties within 250 feet of public waters, including the state's lakes, ponds, fourth-order and larger rivers, and the Atlantic coastline. It establishes setbacks from the water, limits on impervious surfaces, vegetation buffer requirements, and standards for septic system placement and design. Many of NH's most desirable lots fall within this jurisdiction. We design within these requirements while preserving the views, lake access, and site character that make these properties special.

No. Our homes are designed to be beautiful first. High-performance is not a visible aesthetic. It's integrated into our process and design decisions to support comfort, durability, and long-term value. In NH, where homes range from antique colonials to traditional shingled lake houses to contemporary mountain retreats, we tailor each project to its setting while building in the performance that makes a home better year after year.

Absolutely. NH's climate, with its cold winters, hot summers, and significant humidity swings, makes a strong case for high-performance construction. A tight, well-insulated envelope reduces energy costs, controls moisture, and creates a far more comfortable home in every season. Solar access is often excellent on NH lots given typical lot sizes, and the state's energy infrastructure (especially in rural areas) makes the case for energy independence even stronger. Passive House and net-zero homes can be designed to fit any architectural vocabulary, from a traditional New England farmhouse to a modern lake house.

This approach reduces coordination gaps, improves execution, and helps align what we design with what gets built. We stay actively involved through construction, rather than simply handing off drawings to a contractor.

It works well, and we're set up for it. Most of New Hampshire is within a two- to three-hour drive of our Boston office, and we travel for site visits as often as a project requires, including site analysis, design reviews, contractor walkthroughs, and construction observation. Between visits, we use cloud-based tools, video conferencing, and clear communication routines that keep clients and consultants aligned regardless of distance. We coordinate with local NH builders, surveyors, septic designers, civil engineers, and town officials, and we're experienced at managing town-specific permitting processes from the design side. The result is a process that doesn't feel any different from working with an architect ten miles away.