Last updated on May 20th, 2024 at 10:10 pm
There are various factors that contribute to the success of a business, and one of the most important elements you need to consider is the environment in which your company or store operates. To ensure the growth of your business, you should enlist the help of a designer who can create a space that speaks directly to both your customers’ and employees’ needs while reflecting the company’s brand.
The list below includes the best commercial architects in Lowell, Massachusetts. These firms were selected for their accreditations, certifications, and professional affiliations. Our editorial team made their selections after we looked at the firms’ industry awards, client reviews, and press features. Our team also discussed the range of services the firms offer, their specializations, and the length of time they have been in the industry.
Bruner/Cott Architects
225 Friend Street, Suite 701, Boston, MA 02114
Established in 1973, Bruner/Cott Architects is an architectural firm with extensive reach and experience in the cultural, educational, and commercial sectors. It takes an inclusive and collaborative approach that is grounded in transparent communication with clients. The firm is a trailblazer in adaptive reuse, carrying out new construction, historic preservation, and large-scale planning projects that interact with their environment and context. Through intentional and sustainable design, Bruner/Cott & Associates is committed to boosting livability, economic progress, and civic engagement.
Leland Cott, the founding principal, is the driving force of leadership and design within the firm. His early efforts in the business were geared towards designing both market-rate and affordable housing. His interests eventually deepened to cover the evolving commercial market in Boston. Cott advanced to the College of Fellows in the AIA and served as president of the Boston Society of Architects. Cott builds on Bruner/Cott Architects’s prowess in commercial design, resulting in the restoration of this nineteenth-century historic commercial block for Burberry Ltd.
The five-story building was provided with a new supporting structure, new augured pilings, the reconstruction of the exterior brownstone walls, and all-new brownstone detailing. To expand the space, a fourth bay on the front façade and a new floor within the two-story mansard were added. New interiors included a complete fit-out of the retail store and the office space above.
The Architectural Team
50 Commandant’s Way at Admiral’s Hill, Chelsea, MA 02150
Celebrating its 50th year, The Architectural Team, Inc. (TAT), has been recognized for its thought leadership and diverse portfolio in architecture, interior design and master planning. Creating lasting transformation in the communities it serves, the 95-person firm has earned more than 200 awards for design excellence across a broad range of building types and programs. These include new construction of large-scale urban mixed-use developments, multifamily, commercial, waterfront and hospitality developments, assisted and senior living facilities, and community centers.
TAT is also proud of its national reputation in the areas of historic preservation, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse and the hundreds of projects that have transformed neighborhoods across the United States, artfully restoring and reimagining neglected buildings for new uses while simultaneously preserving history. Building on its established reputation as a trusted partner in design, The Architectural Team looks forward to another 50 years of design innovation, client service and creative collaboration.
The firm worked on the Counting House Lofts in Lowell. The structure is defined by brick pilasters with brick capitals, above which are deep corbelled-brick cornices below a heavy, wide roof overhang. The windows have rough granite sills and graceful Italianate caps of rowlocks and soldiers arranged in a segmental arch with drops on each side. The design maintains the existing interior train bay by incorporating it into four residential units and thoughtfully integrates the 8’-0″ column spacing to attain 52 unique living spaces and amenity spaces. Those spaces include a lounge, gourmet kitchen, laundry room, fitness room, and an outside patio.
Cube 3
370 Merrimack Street, Suite #337, Lawrence, MA 01843
CUBE 3 offers a wide range of architectural, interior design, and planning services for mixed-use and campus master planning, academic, health care, retail, residential, and office projects. Every project undergoes an internal sustainability analysis, which identifies prospects for alternative construction systems, design options, and opportunities for certification. Its methodology is bolstered by the use of adaptable project management technologies that efficiently collect and disseminate information while maintaining accurate documentation of every project.
Nicholas Middleton, Brian O’Connor, and Jon Cardello—all members of the AIA—are the driving force of CUBE 3. Jon is NCARB-certified, whereas Nik is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and both the Architects’ Registration Councils of the United Kingdom and Europe. Brian carries extensive experience in base building and interior design for healthcare, commercial developers, and residences. Their joint expertise has strengthened CUBE 3’s practice, and in impressive structures like the Thorndike Exchange.
The Thorndike Exchange project consisted of a renovation to the existing five-story mill building and a new seven-story addition. Mixed-use space included commercial space, common space, leasing/amenity space, and 118 housing units. It houses two restaurants, one of which is Salvatore’s, an Italian chain founded by Lupoli.
HMFH Architects
130 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139
Hill Miller Friedlaender Hollander (HMFH), founded by Fellows of the AIA John Miller, Mario Torroella, and Stephen Friedlaender, is an architectural firm dedicated to the management of facilities that enhance the client experience. It designs and renovates spaces across various structures, whether private or public, living or workspace.
In 1969, three Harvard Graduate School of Design classmates and their mentor, Walter Hill, a well-known school designer, established the firm. HMFH, with its new creative approach to school design, was rapidly recognized with awards earned from the landmark Brewster Elementary School and the Charlestown High School. The firm continues to receive accolades and certifications such as Excellence in Architecture Design Award and FAIA-certified recognition. AIA New Hampshire’s Forum Magazine also featured the firm in one of its releases.
One of the firm’s notable projects is the Shaughnessy and Bailey Elementary Schools. Prototypical components were adapted to the different themes of the two schools: the Shaughnessy School’s program is shaped by humanities, while the Bailey has an international focus. The schools are decorated with pops of color from the trusses and window and door frames to the railings and furniture. Each architectural element was designed with children’s ergonomics in mind, taking the unique challenges of child development into account.
Maugel Architects
200 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451
Maugel Architects is an architectural giant. It has handled over 4 billion dollars’ worth of construction projects and completed around 30 million square footage of real estate. Established in 1993, the firm has accomplished 5,000 projects throughout New England. These projects encompass science and advanced technology, healthcare, industrial, and a number of commercial sectors. Many clients trust this outstanding firm with their projects thanks to its vast experience and diverse portfolio.
Featured here is the dental office for Reichheld Ting Orthodontics in Lowell. The fit-up includes a waiting area and reception, six orthodontist bays, two consulting rooms, a sterilization room, brushing stations, a 3D printing lab, and administration space. The design takes advantage of high ceilings by creating soffits that designate patient zones. The spatial layout is layered with crisp and sophisticated finishes, enhancing the overall patient experience.
For the firm’s numerous contributions in the fields of architecture and interior design, it has earned praise from countless publications. The Boston Real Estate Times, The New England Real Estate Journal, and The Worcester Business Journal have all featured the firm multiple times. The firm has also won several awards, including the Robert H. Kuehn Preservation Award in 2019.
Maugel Architects’ success comes from the hard work of principals Dan Barton, Jonathan Cocker, Lisa Destefano, Mark Pelletier, and Michael Kunz, as well as founder Brent Maugel.
Davis Square Architects
240A Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144
Bestowed with the Cambridge Preservation Award and the Timothy Anderson Award for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation, Davis Square Architects is an esteemed architectural design and planning firm that focuses on creating sustainable communities and providing responsive, affordable service to its clients. Principals Cliff Boehmer, Ross Speer, and Iric Rex are all members of the AIA and both have years of experience. Cliff reviews state-funded housing proposals for the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and consults with many communities and developers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He co-founded Davis Square Architects with Ross, who has over 30 years of professional experience with multi-family residential developments and commercial spaces in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Co-principal Iric specializes in detailed building analysis and consulting with public agencies regarding multi-family housing and smart growth. As a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional, he supports the firm’s application of sustainable design principles.
Their combined specialties propel Davis Square’s practice and paved the way for the transformation and addition of this 1840s Italianate building in Lowell. The design challenge was to preserve and enhance the historic structure and details while creating a new building that would be able to blend into the existing context. This project houses 17 formerly homeless families and a resident manager.
AHP Architects
116 John Street, Suite #115, Lowell, MA 01852
AHP Architects was founded in 2009 and is run by Alan Popkin with integrity, expertise, and collaboration. Popkin draws on more than 20 years of design and building experience, as well as five years of working with roofing and sheet metal shades. His understanding of all phases of architectural design and construction administration services gives him the insight to tackle complex projects for a variety of corporate, medical, research, and manufacturing clients. As an AIA member and LEED Accredited Professional, Popkin spearheads the firm in developing designs that increase efficiency for projects in the corporate, life science, healthcare, retail, and research and development sectors.
The architecture and interior design firm put its streamlined process into practice in the two-story Flagship Motor Cars addition and renovation project for The Herb Chambers Companies. The new showrooms are permeated with light from the building’s new full-height glass curtain wall system. The facility improvement involved the expansion of the Mercedes-Benz service area to include a total of 31 automobile service bays. AHP handled the complexities of integrating corporate design standards for both Mercedes-Benz and Smart Cars into a single dealership.
Fennick McCredie Architecture
70 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
In 2003, Fennick McCredie Architecture assembled a team of dedicated professionals that recognized the need to find a middle ground between placemaking, community development, and sustainable design, and combined those priorities with the practical considerations of building performance, constructability, scheduling, and budgeting. Leading architects Jonathan McCredie and Deborah Fennick, long-time architects in the industry, are extremely committed to serving their clients. Under their leadership, the firm has earned certification as a Women Business Enterprise from the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office. The practice’s work spans a variety of civic project types that support daily living in the community, from infrastructure and transit architecture to cultural and educational institutions.
One of Fennick McCredie Architecture’s most prominent projects is its own headquarters in Boston. A series of long pin-up walls define the interior space of the studio. These constantly changing surfaces display its progress on various projects and encourage conversation about ongoing work within and between project teams. Selective demolition allowed light from the generous windows at the perimeter to travel deep into the space of our studio. A portion of the existing ceiling was strategically cut back to create a floating ‘island’ on the ceiling plane.
Architectural Consulting Services, LLC
415 Pawtucket Street, #1 Lowell, MA 01854
Architectural Consulting Services (ACS), founded in 2003, is a company of architects, planners, and designers with a collective focus on commercial, institutional, and residential projects. Its work and its client services are motivated by a shared attitude of responsible stewardship in order to better integrate the design and construction of sustainable environments. Founder Jay R. Mason managed projects at regional design-build firms as well as large national architectural companies before starting ACS. Mason has been a leader in the community for many years, supporting causes that affect policy and increase awareness of environmentally responsible building techniques. He serves as chair of Lowell’s Sustainability Council and was the President of Friends of Tyler Park for over 20 years. As a LEED Accredited Professional and AIA member, he sets the example for his team by developing design solutions that respond to client needs.
Lenzi’s Restaurant is a testament to the firm’s abilities ACS added a function hall, a tavern, and a 110-seat restaurant to an existing function hall. ACS developed a solution that involved creating a focal, street-facing entrance while using interior visual elements, such as an open fireplace, to provide boundaries to the tavern and restaurant areas in ways that defined and connected them. The result was a private event space, a separate tavern that complements a beautiful dining area, and a welcoming entrance.
Caveney Architectural Collaborative
128 Warren Street, Lowell, MA 01852
John Cavaney formed Caveney Architectural Collaborative in 2015, rooted in collaboration, community stewardship, and innovation. It focuses on producing quality work within budget and on schedule, based on a multi-disciplinary approach to building. To deliver cutting-edge services to its clients, the firm stays curious and continually investigates new technologies. It operates on the belief that sustainable design contributes greatly to the advancement of society. At Caveney Architectural Collaborative, listening is essential to identifying the root problems clients face, and that enables the firm to produce the best possible solutions.
The New England Real Estate Journal and the Boston Real Estate Times have both featured the firm’s growing portfolio. The company’s roster of restaurant, educational, religious, mixed-use, and residential projects includes the Elm St. Taproom. This picturesque bar is located right in the heart of Davis Square. Elm St. Taproom capitalizes on the rustic aura of the building that encloses it. The bar maximizes its limited space by incorporating communal tables at different heights, which accentuates its long-form.
