Last updated on May 21st, 2024 at 04:26 am
Somerville, Massachusetts, is a city with a diverse scenery of establishments. From restaurants, retail stores, gym facilities, and office buildings, these establishments have different architectural designs unique to them. Some of the prominent designs present in Somerville include Colonial, Revival, and Georgian, and others consist of a more modern style.
Regardless, many buildings include older features that require updates. In Somerville, the best commercial architects offer a bevy of services that provide every client with quality, whether it be new builds or just renovations. These updates may involve interior remodeling, furnishing, exterior designing, or all of the above. Whatever the case may be, many firms in the area have the experience to deliver custom services that will best fit each company’s needs. To help you find the best, we created this list of the top nine commercial architects by looking into the firm’s experience, process, portfolio, and recognitions.
RODE Architects Inc.
535 Albany Street #405, Boston, MA 02118
Eric Robinson and Kevin Deabler are the principals leading the firm. Since its inception in 2005, the company has grown into a mid-size team of architects, urban planners, and designers. Under Robinson and Deabler’s leadership, the firm has produced numerous projects in different sectors. These range from restaurants, hotels, mixed-use developments, institutions, and urban industrial projects. The firm has received notable recognition, winning the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New England Design Award Citation in both 2019 and 2020.
The project below is one of the company’s significant projects, Revival Cafe + Kitchen. It has a vibrant floor plan with contemporary decor. Prominent interior details include patterned concrete tile; custom mosaic featuring “Davis” and “You Got This” at the entry and exit; soft pink wall paneling; and expansive, operable windows. The simple, black stucco façade is adorned with vibrant murals from local artists.
Arrowstreet Inc.
10 Post Office Square Suite 700N, Boston, MA 02109
Pictured below is one of Arrowstreet’s notable projects, featuring the Brooklyn Boulders. The establishment is more of a community center due to its mix of working and playing areas. The space is filled with modern amenities such as rock climbing walls, weight lifting rooms, and yoga areas. A unique aspect of this project is the inclusion of an “Active Collaborative Workspace”. This workspace includes stand-up desks, standard tables, and chairs for business meetings and other work-related matters. In addition, this collaborative area includes party rooms, fireplace lounges, and coffee bars. Under the leadership of David Bois, the company has grown to include various designers, planners, and architects making up the team. This group received numerous accolades for its work, including the 2020 American Architecture Award and 2021 Hospitality Award. In addition, the Boston Business Journal has featured the firm’s work.
SMMA
1000 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138
SMMA completed this project below, featuring the CRICO Headquarters. The project included relocating its headquarters and developing new office spaces. The firm incorporated better natural lighting throughout the office, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern furniture for an updated look. In addition, the firm added amenities such as a kitchen, a break room, a lounge area, and meeting rooms. This project is just one of many office projects that the firm has successfully tackled.
Chairman Ara Krafian is the company’s current leader and has steadily led SMMA to be a top architectural firm in Boston. Aside from corporate projects, the firm has worked for government and educational institutions, receiving many accolades and recognitions. The firm recently received the 2020 Bronze Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts.
Davis Square Architects
240A Elm St., Somerville, MA 02144
Iric Rex, Cliff Boehmer, and Ross Speer are Davis Square Architects’ three principals. Since its inception in 1984, the company has become an award-winning firm for its various commercial projects. Though located in Somerville, the firm also serves numerous other areas in Massachusetts, working on a mix of hospitality, mixed-use, and community spaces.
The picture below features one of the firm’s restaurant projects, the Bloc 11 Cafe. The project began with the transformation of a former bank into a relaxing coffee shop. This project included the adaptive reuse of key elements such as the building’s original architecture along with the fixed seating and safety deposit boxes. The firm redesigned the interior using modern furniture and equipment. They installed a counter with bar seating, an upgraded kitchen area, a gas fireplace, an outdoor patio, and a smaller dining area. As a result, Bloc 11 has become one of Somerville’s most famous cafes located in Union Square.
Peter Quinn Architects
259 Elm Street Suite 301, Somerville, MA 02144
Pictured below is one of Peter Quinn Architects’ retail projects featuring Jerry’s Liquor Store. The establishment’s rehabilitation and expansion include a new recessed entrance, arched windows, and a classically designed facade using bricks and greenery. The firm attempted to create a traditional look that resembles grapevines growing from a courtyard, matching the business’s image. This is one of many commercial projects the company has completed in Somerville. In addition to these projects, the firm has tackled residential, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse projects. Under Peter Quinn’s guidance, the firm maintains its status as a top company in the city. Their works have garnered the attention of the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission for its various works on numerous historical buildings.
Centrepoint Architects
561 Windsor Street A404, Somerville, MA 02143
Cindy Larson is the founding principal of Centrepoint Architects. After receiving her BA and MA from Montana State University, she began her career in San Antonio, Texas, working for Alamo Architects. In 2001, she established Centrepoint Architects and had since produced a bevy of commercial and residential establishments. In addition, Larson is a certified member of the Boston Society of Architects, the American Institute of Architect (AIA), and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Pictured below is one of the firm’s commercial projects, featuring the Energy North Gas Station and Convenience Store. This project features a straightforward design and includes all the necessary equipment throughout the property to create the best, most functional space possible.
DAIQ Architects
1310 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144
Pictured below is one of DAIQ Architects’ retail and entertainment projects featuring the Assembly Row, a multiphase town center in Mystic River. Phase one of the project included four blocks of space with a ground floor full of retail stores and four levels of residential and office space. Notable amenities in the center include a twelve-screen cinema, the Lego Discovery Center, and numerous restaurants. In addition, the center is home to 36 commercial tenants, with notable companies such as Nike, Puma, and Banana Republic. For this project, the firm also worked on Pointe Park, which is a five-acre town square with a 3,000-square-foot pavilion. Since its inception in 1987, the firm has produced numerous projects like this. It focuses on entertainment, sports centers, retail developments, and institutional projects such as the Dodger Stadium in L.A. and the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. These projects have earned them a reputable track record in the building industry.
JtA | Joe the Architect
343 Medford St. Suite 4C, Somerville, MA 02145
Pictured below is the Achieve Fitness project completed by JtA. It involved a rebrand of the establishment along with a redesign of the interior floor plan. Details throughout the gym included hand-painted murals and upgraded gym spaces with an open concept interior and colorful environment. The goal for this project was simply to provide guests with a vibrant and clean facility, and JtA exceeded expectations.
The JtA team is a mid-size group of professionals with an extensive background in the business. Under the leadership of Joe Stromer, the company has thrived in the industry, completing an array of commercial and residential projects. Today, the group has worked for various clients such as Cafe Sushi, Twist Bakery, Tous Les Jours, 9Tailors, and many others.
Brian Healy Architects
374 Somerville Ave., Somerville, MA 02143
Brian Healy established his firm in 1985. Throughout the decades, Healy has completed various projects throughout Massachusetts while establishing connections and relationships with different communities. His commercial works received praise from numerous places, with some of his projects receiving regional recognition and national awards.
Although an expert in the field, Healy is also known for his work beyond architecture. Healy has dedicated time teaching in architectural design studios and seminars, which allows him to share about his experiences while meeting others who share in his passions. He later collaborated on projects with well-known industry names like Michael Ryan and Randee Spelkoman. Pictured below is one of the commercial projects Healy completed, featuring Columbia Point. The property features a straightforward exterior across the two buildings along with wide outdoor spaces that showcase simplicity and functionality.
