Business Details
38 Years
experience
Expert Architectural Design Services in Amherst, MA
Established in 1988 by John Kuhn and Chris Riddle, our firm has built a legacy rooted in community engagement, contextual design, and environmental stewardship. As one of the largest design studios in Western Massachusetts, we specialize in architecture, planning, and interior design for educational, commercial, and residential projects. Our team of architects, interior designers, LEED Accredited Professionals, and Passive House consultants prioritizes collaboration, ensuring clients' visions translate into functional, beautiful spaces. We integrate sustainability into every project phase, from concept to construction, whether renovating historic structures or creating energy-efficient new builds. Our second-generation leadershipJonathan Salvon, Charles Roberts, and Aelan Tierneycontinues our founders' commitment to thoughtful design that respects both site context and New England's architectural heritage.We serve diverse clients across the Pioneer Valley and beyond, including educational institutions, municipalities, developers, and private families. Our approach emphasizes active listening and stakeholder collaboration, fostering shared ownership of each project's outcome. Recognizing the importance of historic preservation, we balance contemporary design with existing structures when appropriate. Our team actively contributes to local governance through service on design review boards, planning committees, and nonprofit organizations. This deep community connection informs our ability to create spaces that enhance both functionality and environmental sensitivity.
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Sustainable Design
Historic Preservation
Passive House Consulting
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of architectural expertise in Western Massachusetts
- Our team includes LEED Accredited Professionals and Passive House consultants
- We integrate sustainability into every project phase
- Our second-generation leadership maintains our founders' community-focused values
- We balance historic preservation with contemporary design solutions
Associations and certifications
- LEED
- Passive House
Services
Architectural Design
We create tailored architectural solutions for educational, commercial, and residential projects. Our approach combines contextual sensitivity with modern functionality, ensuring each design responds to its environment and client needs. From concept to completion, we deliver innovative spaces that balance aesthetics with practical requirements.
Sustainable Design
Our firm integrates sustainability into every project phase, specializing in LEED certification and Passive House standards. We implement energy-efficient systems, eco-friendly materials, and climate-responsive designs to minimize environmental impact while maintaining architectural integrity and occupant comfort.
Historic Preservation
We specialize in preserving historic structures while incorporating modern functionality. Our team understands New England's architectural heritage, employing techniques that maintain original character while meeting contemporary standards for safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency in heritage buildings.
Interior Design
Our interior design services focus on creating functional, aesthetically cohesive environments. We develop customized solutions for commercial offices, educational facilities, and residential spaces, integrating technology, materials, and spatial organization to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
Passive House Consulting
We offer specialized consulting for Passive House certification, optimizing building performance through advanced insulation, air-tight construction, and energy recovery systems. Our experts ensure compliance with rigorous international standards for ultra-low energy consumption and superior indoor air quality.
People
Aelan Tierney
President, LEED AP, NCARB
Aelan Tierney leads the firm as President, bringing extensive architectural expertise and sustainability credentials. With LEED Accreditation and NCARB certification, they oversee strategic direction while maintaining active project involvement in complex design initiatives.
Jonathan Salvon
Principal
As a founding principal, Jonathan Salvon contributes decades of architectural experience to the firm's leadership. His expertise spans educational and commercial projects, focusing on integrating sustainable practices with functional design solutions for diverse client needs.
Charles Roberts
Principal
Charles Roberts serves as principal architect, specializing in complex renovations and new construction projects. His leadership emphasizes collaborative design processes and technical excellence in delivering context-sensitive architectural solutions across multiple market sectors.
Thom Barry
Senior Architect / Certified Passive House Consultant
Thom Barry combines architectural design with Passive House certification expertise. As a certified consultant, he specializes in high-performance building systems, ensuring energy efficiency meets aesthetic and functional requirements in both residential and commercial projects.
Karen Michalowski
Senior Interior Designer, LEED AP
Karen Michalowski leads interior design initiatives with LEED Accreditation. Her work focuses on creating sustainable, functional spaces that enhance user experience through thoughtful material selection, spatial organization, and integration of technology.
Questions
What architectural services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive architectural design for educational, commercial, and residential projects, including new construction, renovations, and historic preservation.
Do you specialize in sustainable design?
Yes, we integrate sustainability into all projects with LEED certification, Passive House consulting, and energy-efficient design solutions.
How do you approach client collaboration?
We prioritize active listening and collaborative processes, ensuring clients' needs shape every design decision through regular communication and stakeholder involvement.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While based in Amherst, MA, we work throughout the Pioneer Valley, Western Massachusetts, and across New England.
Can you handle historic building renovations?
Yes, we specialize in historic preservation, maintaining architectural integrity while implementing modern updates for safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
