Business Details
7 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architecture Partner in Salisbury, MD
Design Matters is a full-service architecture firm established in 2019 by Daniel Moreno-Holt and Carlos Moreno. Our practice combines decades of professional expertise with a commitment to creating functional, sustainable, and aesthetically meaningful spaces. We specialize in residential architecture while maintaining the capability to deliver commercial, institutional, urban design, and landscape projects through our network of industry professionals. Based in Salisbury, Maryland, we serve the Delmarva Peninsula and coastal communities including Rehoboth Beach, St. Michaels, and Ocean City. Our approach begins with active listening to understand client goals, routines, and aspirations, ensuring each project reflects its owner's unique vision. Daniel Moreno, a licensed architect with LEED AP certification, brings academic teaching experience and sustainable design expertise to our practice.Carlos Moreno contributes over 40 years of international and local architectural experience, having worked in Chile, Italy, and Maryland's Eastern Shore. We prioritize design excellence that respects regional character, from navigating coastal building codes in Sussex County to preserving historic context in Talbot County. Our work integrates technical precision with attention to natural light, spatial flow, and durable materials that age gracefully. As community-engaged professionals, we serve on local planning commissions and create public art installations that reflect regional environmental concerns. Whether designing custom waterfront residences or large-scale urban plans, we remain dedicated to delivering architecture that enhances how people live and interact with their environments.
Services
Single-Family Homes
Commercial Projects
Civic + Institutional Projects
Urban Design
Landscape Work
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of combined architectural experience from our father-son team
- Our LEED AP certified professionals prioritize sustainable design solutions
- Deep local knowledge of Delmarva Peninsula building codes and regional character
- Full-service capabilities across residential, commercial, and institutional projects
- Personalized approach combining technical precision with creative problem-solving
Associations and certifications
- LEED AP
Services
Single-Family Homes
We create custom single-family residences that balance aesthetic appeal with functional living spaces. Our designs incorporate natural light optimization, energy-efficient systems, and materials suited to coastal environments. Each home reflects the client's lifestyle while respecting local architectural traditions and environmental considerations.
Commercial Projects
Our commercial architecture services cover retail spaces, office buildings, and mixed-use developments. We focus on creating functional layouts that enhance business operations while meeting zoning requirements. Recent projects include shopping centers and waterfront commercial spaces that integrate with their surrounding communities.
Civic + Institutional Projects
We design civic buildings that serve community needs while maintaining architectural integrity. Our portfolio includes police stations, schools, and public facilities that combine functionality with aesthetic value. Each project considers public accessibility, safety requirements, and long-term maintenance needs.
Urban Design
Our urban design services create cohesive community spaces through master planning and public realm improvements. We develop walkable neighborhoods, public parks, and mixed-use developments that enhance quality of life while addressing environmental sustainability and traffic flow considerations.
Landscape Work
We integrate landscape architecture with building design to create harmonious outdoor spaces. Services include site planning, hardscape design, and native plant selection that withstand coastal conditions. Our approach ensures seamless transitions between built structures and natural environments while meeting drainage and sustainability requirements.
People
Daniel Moreno
Licensed Architect, LEED AP
University of Maryland graduate with master's degree in architecture. Former adjunct professor teaching design studios. LEED-certified expert in sustainable design with community planning experience. Serves on Salisbury's Planning and Zoning Commission.
Carlos Moreno
Senior Architect
40+ years architectural experience across Chile, Italy, and Maryland's Eastern Shore. Specializes in local building codes and historic preservation. Former lead designer for major regional projects. Brings international perspective to coastal construction challenges.
Questions
What architectural services does Design Matters offer?
We provide full-service architecture including residential design, commercial buildings, civic institutions, urban planning, and landscape architecture across the Delmarva Peninsula.
Do you specialize in coastal construction projects?
Yes, our firm has extensive experience designing structures that withstand coastal environments, including flood zone considerations and salt air resistance in Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach areas.
Are your architects certified in sustainable design?
Daniel Moreno holds LEED AP certification and specializes in sustainable building practices that reduce environmental impact while maintaining design integrity.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We operate throughout the Delmarva Peninsula including Salisbury, St. Michaels, Easton, Rehoboth Beach, and surrounding counties in Maryland and Delaware.
Can you handle both small and large-scale projects?
Our flexible team manages projects of all sizes from bathroom renovations to master-planned communities, maintaining the same attention to detail regardless of project scale.
How do you approach historic preservation projects?
We combine modern functionality with historic character preservation, particularly in Talbot County, ensuring new designs complement existing architectural heritage while meeting current building standards.
