Boston is one of the oldest cities in North America. It is filled with signature buildings that represent many significant architectural milestones of the country.
From the colonial buildings, all the way from the 17th century to its famous federal-style buildings from the late 18th and its contemporary, even futuristic structures, the city is an ideal place for future architects and architectural enthusiasts alike.
According to Zippia, Massachusetts is also among the top three states for architecture in the USA. Boston is the 5th highest paying city in the country.
Top-level architects here can expect a salary as high as $152,261/annum. But before you grab that ticket to “The Athens of America”, do you want to know what it is like working in its architecture industry?
Here we list and discuss the top 15 architecture firms and the 5 best residential architecture firms in Boston.
The 15 best architecture firms in Boston
01 – Leers Weinzapfel Associates
Studio overview
- Location – 75 Kneeland St, Suite 301, Boston, MA 02111
- Website – www.lwa-architects.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 25.
Ethos
Sustainability is a core value of this firm. It shows in their dedication to timber as a construction material. The firm is well-known as a leader in the mass timber design industry, even receiving the WoodWorks Design Award in AN’s 2020 timber issue for it.
Their design thinking revolves around clarity, elegance and refinement. Their success is the result of a passionate effort to combine the latest technologies with traditional craft and techniques. From innovative applications of old materials to digital manipulation of daylight effects, they strive to improve the human experience in all of their works.
Speciality
They have worked on many projects from civic & community, educational to infrastructure and urban design.
Leers Weinzapfel Associates was ranked 14th in Architect Magazine’s list of Top 50 architecture firms in 2019.
02 – Bruner/Cott Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 225 Friend St, Suite 701, Boston, MA 02114
- Website – www.brunercott.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Established in – 1973
Ethos
Bruner/Cott Architects believe in the specific representation of their architectural site rather than a forced particular style. It stems from a philosophy that design solutions should creatively interpret their surrounding location, programme and cultural aspects while staying friendly to the environment.
Via clear communication with their clients, they have created many sustainable buildings that are both beautiful and harmonious with their surroundings.
Speciality
They have worked nationally with numerous cultural, educational, and commercial clients.
Bruner/Cott Architects was the 3rd highest ranked architecture firm from Boston in Architect Magazine’s list of Top 50 architecture firms in 2019.
03 – Payette
Studio overview
- Location – 290 Congress Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02210-1005
- Website – www.payette.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 160
- Established in – 1932.
Ethos
Started from the design of the Sherman Fairchild Biochemistry Laboratory at Havard, the firm has since made a name as the leader in the construction of buildings for academic science, research and healthcare. The staff here are keen on intellectual projects that signify significant moments in life.
Since its founding years, its people have believed in the collaboration between architecture and landscape. Their design works are based on a sensual connection between the people living in the building and their surrounding spaces.
The results are spaces that are innovative, comfortable, flexible and purposeful.
Outside of their commercial works, the firm is also actively involved in pro-bono works both locally and internationally.
Speciality
Payette mainly focus on institutional and healthcare projects.
They were the 56th recipient of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) highest honour – the Architecture Firm of the Year award.
04 – William Rawn Associates
Studio overview
- Location – 10 Post Office Square, Suite 1010, Boston, MA 02109
- Website – www.rawnarch.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 47
- Established in – 1983.
Ethos
William Rawn Associates have a contemporary design style – applying the basic modernist principles to the patterns of a place. Natural light is a crucial component of their work, demonstrated by the generous use of glass.
Their works have attracted a list of famous retaining clients such as Dartmouth, Williams, Swarthmore and MIT.
Operational wise, they are conscious of current social issues and incorporate many relevant values such as philanthropy, inclusion and anti-racism into their practices.
Speciality
Most of the firm’s projects are mixed-use urban buildings, college campuses, performing, arts facilities, and affordable housing.
An award-winning firm, William Rawn Associates has won 12 American Institute of Architects National Honor Awards and was ranked among the top 50 national top architecture firms list of Architect Magazine in various years.
05 – Sasaki
Studio overview
- Location – 64 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472
- Website – www.sasaki.com
- Number of offices – 3
- Number of employees – 453
- Established in – 1953.
Ethos
Right from the beginning, the firm’s founder – Hideo Sasaki – has insisted on a multi-dimensional approach to every project. They look into the cultural, historical, geographical, environmental and even socio-economical context of each project.
This approach has taken Sasaki to the global stage, which results in a great breadth of services, project types and international client portfolio.
There is no set style for the firm’s works. The firm has a young, robust and entrepreneurial spirit, which gives them the advantage of multi-dimensional approaches and full-spectrum solutions to design problems.
Speciality
Sasaki have worked on a great range of projects from large-scale international commercial, office, and cultural districts, new campuses for higher education, to the detailing of individual workspaces for world-leading corporations.
They were ranked at number 4 in the Top 10 architectural firms in Boston 2020 list by Boston Real Estate Times.
06 – Finegold Alexander Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 77 North Washington Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Website – www.faainc.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 41
- Established in – 1967.
Ethos
This firm of architects are pioneers in repurposing old buildings.
With a holistic approach to sustainability, they strive to increase energy efficiency, adapt healthy and low-carbon materials and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their works.
Speciality
Their team has worked on office, retail, housing, healthcare, hotel/lodging, and affordable housing projects. But their most distinctive type of work is historic restoration, especially in churches to houses conversions.
Finegold Alexander Architects belongs to the top 10 architectural firms in Boston 2020 as selected by Boston Real Estate Times.
07 – Ann Beha Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 33 Kingston Street, Boston, MA 02111
- Website – annbeha.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 46
- Established in – 1980.
Ethos
Ann Beha Architects bring a contemporary expression to the renewal of historic structures. The results are sleek buildings with huge glass windows, giving way to plenty of natural sunlight.
As a firm with a strong emphasis on preservation, they care deeply for the sustainability of a building in the long term. It reflects through their effort to improve energy efficiency while protecting the cultural significance of their projects.
The firm is progressive with deep concerns on current social issues such as racism, feminism and LGTBQ+. They also do many pro-bono works to support the education and preservation of the neighbourhoods in the Boston area.
Speciality
Ann Beha Architects are zealous with its historic preservation projects. They also do planning and design for projects in education, recreation and the public sector.
They are well-cited for both excellent historic preservation and design for additions and new construction. One of their most recognisable projects is the renovation of Charles Street Jail, a signature building for the Victorian architectural style of Boston in the 19th century. The building is now known as The Liberty Hotel.
08 – CUBE 3
Studio overview
- Location – 160 State Street, Floor 6, Boston, MA 02109
- Website – www.cube3.com
- Number of offices – 3
- Number of employees – 116
- Established in – 2003.
Ethos
Cube 3 approaches each type of project with a personalised dedication. With enterprises, they focus on functionality, cost-efficiency and an aesthetic that stands the test of time.
Meanwhile, retail projects are all about space and a welcoming ambience. For fitness projects, they design specific spaces based on their specified operational and technical needs. And for residential buildings, they focus on a socially inviting atmosphere for its residents.
Though varied in size and colour, their designs are generally clean, modern and rectangular, which bring about a sense of stability. This style reflects a radical mindset that focuses on the energy efficiency and cost-consciousness of their architectural solutions.
Speciality
The firm has numerous projects in student housing, offices, fitness and sports centres, healthcare, hospitality, retail and multi-family housing.
CUBE 3 is ranked #3 in the Construction industry by Inc. magazine. One of the busiest architecture firms in the Northeast, the firm is the top architecture firm in Boston in 2020 as rated by the Boston Real Estate times for the most-square-footage-designed in Massachusetts in 2019.
09 – IA Interior Architects
Studio overview
- Location – One International Place 100 Oliver Street, Suite 210, Boston, MA 02110
- Website – interiorarchitects.com
- Number of offices – 23
- Number of employees – 1,220
- Established in – 1984.
Ethos
IA Interior Architects are the largest architecture firm in the world who focus exclusively on interiors. A truly global firm with 23 offices worldwide, they bring about the most creative design solutions from various international backgrounds and perspectives.
They have designed many warm, vibrant and rejuvenating spaces that aim to increase the productivity of their users. Besides the aesthetics and organisation of space, they also support the global sustainability movement.
A significant feature of their projects and people are sleek and easily updatable display walls.
When it comes to problem-solving, they are nimble and efficient. They always resolve issues with a sense of urgency across all levels.
Speciality
They have a portfolio of successful works in offices, hospitality and retail projects, corporates, businesses, and institutions.
IA Interior Architects is the 3rd top architecture firm in Boston in 2020 as rated by the Boston Real Estate times for their square footage designed in Massachusetts in 2019.
10 – SGA
Studio overview
- Location – 200 High Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110
- Website – www.sga-arch.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 100
- Established in – 1991.
Ethos
This firm is a specialist in designing life sciences spaces that are adaptable to new technology and conditions. They are also one of the most pioneering firms in tech-forward design from visualisation to delivery stages.
Two of their proudest technologies are Virtual Design + Construction or VDC and Autodesk’s Revit software for Building Information Modeling (BIM). Their application of the latest technologies has helped their clients significantly in their efficient decision-making process.
Besides technology, sustainability and efficiency are also their core values. Through plenty of innovative methods to create Passive Houses, they contribute actively to the global combat against climate change via net-zero energy/carbon-neutral buildings.
Although mostly practically rectangular in shapes, the firm also produces quite a few unique-shaped architectures that implement innovative technology such as the “up-down” method, advanced mining or slurry wall techniques into the building activities and structures.
They widely apply biophilic design to create a comfortable space for their buildings’ occupants.
Speciality
SGA have plenty of works in academic, corporate, commercial as well as urban and mixed-use projects. Many of their academic clients are in technology and science fields. Repositioning projects are also a huge part of their portfolio.
SGA are among the 10 most innovative architecture companies of 2021 by Fast Company.
11 – Dyer Brown Architects
Studio overview
- Location – One Winthrop Square, Boston, MA 02110
- Website – dyerbrown.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 39
- Established in – 1969.
Ethos
Dyer Brown Architects approaches its work with a comfortable and driven mindset to deliver daily spaces that are inspiring and useful.
Their work is a combination of an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit with technical and programming skills. The results are inventive and cost-efficient spaces that best meet their clients’ requirements.
Speciality
The firm has worked on many corporate interiors, retail, hospitality, higher education, and asset design & support services projects. They specialise in renovating the office and retail spaces. Their portfolio also has some interesting experiential graphic design projects.
12 – Elkus Manfredi Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 25 Drydock Avenue, Boston, MA 02210
- Website – www.elkus-manfredi.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 278
- Established in – 1988.
Ethos
A full-service design firm that is particularly known for its mixed-use placemaking. Their works are dynamic, connected and sustainable while fostering a sense of community.
The firm has worked on a diverse range of styles, from Flemish Gothic church, a grandiose Beaux-Arts theatre, modern urban space to a conceptual city hall with futuristic photovoltaic trees to represent the progressive use of renewable energy.
Their works are innovative and imaginative. They have produced various buildings that incorporate new shapes and styles to realise their original concepts artistically.
However, the social connection is always the unvarying string connecting the numerous facades of their projects. They strive to create a common ground for people and communities to connect.
Speciality
Elkus Manfredi Architects has a diverse portfolio in academics, arts & culture, historic landmarks, hospitality, hotels, offices, performing arts, religion, residence, retails and many more.
They won the Best of Year award in Environmental Branding & Graphics by Interior Design in 2020 and the Restoration & Renovation award by Architecture Masterprize in 2020.
13 – NBBJ
Studio overview
- Location – 1 Beacon Street, Suite 5200, Boston, MA 02108
- Website – www.nbbj.com
- Number of offices – 12
- Number of employees – 866
- Established in – 1943.
Ethos
The firm applies the latest science and research to idea creation. Technology assists them in producing buildings that are stronger, more sustainable and more efficient.
In 2020, the firm acquired the experience design studio – ESI Design. It hints at a more immersive and interactive building experience for both their staff and their top-tier clients.
Their diversified portfolio of works includes both modern and post-modern designs. They can range from clean lines and simple forms to buildings that replicate natural forms and elements.
They are pioneers in global sustainable efforts with many LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) projects. Some examples are Japan’s first LEED Gold workplace and China’s first LEED HC Gold hospital.
Speciality
NBBJ works on multiple types of buildings from commercial, institutional, civic & cultural to healthcare and more.
Ranked as the sixth-largest architecture firm in the USA by Building Design + Construction, the firm is not just large nationally but also owns an extensive international network and are well-known for their technology savvy.
Fast Company has named them among the world’s most innovative architecture firms three times. Wired also has listed them as the “firm of choice for tech companies”.
14 – Bergmeyer
Studio overview
- Location – 51 Sleeper Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02210
- Website – www.bergmeyer.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 86
- Established in – 1975.
Ethos
This firm is well-known for its interior design projects. A significant part of their portfolio is branding works, especially in retails and events. Their approach to design is customer-centric, focusing on empowering clients rather than imposing a specific style on their work.
Bergmeyers design goal is to use interior design to help differentiate their clients’ brand image in a competitive market while creating a close emotional bond with a target audience.
This approach helps to foster strong emotional connections, inspires activities and creates a unique ambience for their works.
Bergmeyer has a youthful culture, which reflects in a warm palette and vibrant colours that are unusual to other architectural works.
Speciality
The firm has worked in retail, restaurants, workplaces, commercial buildings, multi-family residences, academics, cultures, hospitality and healthcare, along with pop-ups and temporary experiences.
Bergmeyer won the Popular Choice award for Architecture +Workspace section by Architizer’s A+ Award 2021.
15 – TRIA
Studio overview
- Location – 21 Drydock Avenue, Suite 330W, Boston, MA 02210
- Website – tria.design
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 45
- Established in – 2015.
Ethos
This firm specialises in designing award-winning workplaces. They offer a holistic design approach by combining aesthetics, functionality and problem-solving into the design process.
From the early stage of the design process, TRIA envision relevant design materials and environmental aspects then blend that with a functional view on what works best for the clients and their staff. The result is a space that best suits their daily needs and preferences.
The firm’s Principal started as a researcher in a lab, and as a result, they have many works in the lab and life-science fields. Their team comes from multi-disciplinary backgrounds: architects, interior designers, programmers, lab planners, and support staff.
Speciality
The firm has a strong portfolio in renovating, expanding and fitting-out projects for clients in corporate, life sciences & technology, manufacturing and medical device sector.
The 5 Best residential architecture firms in Boston
01 – Touloukian Touloukian
Studio overview
- Location – 151 Pearl Street, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02110
- Website – www.ttarch.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 4
- Established in – 2003.
Ethos
The firm takes responsibility to the society to their heart. Their “ethos” aims at improving the surrounding environment of their projects for future generations to come.
This ethos reflects via 5 principles:
- having a clear project narrative
- considering the interconnection between the natural cycle and built environments
- conveying the tectonic aspects of construction
- unveiling the poetic identity via historic reference and modern design
- and enhancing the surrounding community’s quality of life via their works.
The results of such ethos are well-crafted, eloquent, and cost-effective projects that both reflect the owner’s lifestyle and follow their surroundings sustainable development.
Speciality
Touloukian Touloukianhost a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and historic projects ranging from new construction to adaptive reuse.
They were named as one of the top residential architects in Boston by Boston Architects in 2020. The firm was the highest-ranking Boston firm in the Architect Magazine’s list of Top 10 architecture firms of 2019, ranked at 10th position.
02 – NADAAA
Studio overview
- Location – 1920 Washington Street #2, Boston, MA 02118
- Website – www.nadaaa.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 44
- Established in – 2011.
Ethos
NADAAA appreciates the diversity of lifestyles, materials and craftsmanship. They combine the insights of residential conventions with a deep understanding of their client’s uniqueness to create residential buildings that extend the personality of their clients.
The firm applies a holistic process that combines technology, aesthetics, and building protocols into its work. Their general aesthetic is contemporary, cutting edge, and elegant.
The founder is particularly influential in the architectural education world. Alongside working for his firm, he has completed three architecture school buildings while still working as the Dean of Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture at New York’s Cooper Union.
Speciality
Their residential work comprises various site-specific projects for clients from diverse backgrounds. They design furniture and urban buildings with a focus on craft, construction, and digital fabrication.
Other types of works that they also do are institutional, commercial, hospitality, mixed-use, and research buildings.
NADAAA is listed among the top design firm in Architect Magazine’s Top 50 U.S. Firm List of 2019.
03 – Arrowstreet
Studio overview
- Location – 10 Post Office Square, Suite 700N, Boston, MA 02109
- Website – www.arrowstreet.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 100
- Established in – 1961.
Ethos
The firm chooses to stay a boutique firm with multiple practice areas. Their strength is in working on sites with challenging terrains and reconnecting those sites to their surrounding community.
With a great understanding of the market and housing trends in the area, their housing results are innovative and comfortable.
They want their work to be both a living space and a useful part of a resident’s life. They strive to enhance their clients’ engagement by layering different augmented experiences into the visualisation of their buildings.
The firm also invested in its own Innovation and Research Studio (AIR) to research the potential applications of mixed-reality in building design and urban planning.
Their design incorporates ongoing issues such as building resiliency, environmental changes and sustainability.
Speciality
The interdisciplinary staff at Arrowstreet harnesses their diverse background into a great range of projects from multi-family complexes, suburban residential communities to multi-dimensional, urban mixed-use, hospitality, retail and schools.
Architect Magazine ranked Arrowstreet among the list of Top 50 design firms in the USA in 2019.
04 – CBT
Studio overview
- Location – 110 Canal Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Website – www.cbtarchitects.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 247
- Established in – 1967.
Ethos
When designing residences, CBT holistically approaches all aspects of residents’ life from the interior layout, building materials, orientation, natural factors, sensory experience, and connection to the community. A welcoming living area for its residents is the core of their work.
The firm is particularly expert in integrating modern architecture with historic structures and context to create a contemporary and elegant design.
Speciality
They have worked nationally and internationally on various projects from multi-family residences, mixed-use developments, hospitality environments, corporate workplaces, civic/cultural buildings to academics. Among them, there is a focus on the creation and rejuvenation of neighbourhoods.
05 – Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype
Studio overview
- Location – 9 Channel Center Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02210
- Website – bhplus.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 50
- Established in – 1986.
Ethos
Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype’s housing projects are generally innovative, functional and cost-effective. Their housing architecture closely resembles Boston’s classic 20th-century Brutalist architectural style with innovative use of building materials.
Speciality
The firm has worked on award-winning housings, workplaces, recreation centres, aquatic facilities as well as historic and education projects. Among them, their speciality lies in the first three types of projects, especially multi-family housing.
Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype ranked 8th in the list of Top 10 Architectural Firms in Boston in 2020 by the Boston Real Estate Times.
Conclusion
Much like Austin, Chicago, and Los Angeles – Boston nurtures a vibrant architecture scene with the leading firms each leaving a recognized mark in their particular niche.
If you are looking to start your architectural career in this creative hub – we hope our article has given you a good reference point for the decision.
