Business Details
28 Years
experience
Trusted Architectural Services in Salem, MA
Derby Square Architects is a dedicated team of architects and planners serving clients in the Salem and Boston, Massachusetts area. Our approach centers on understanding client needs through thorough research, fostering strong client-architect relationships, and delivering thoughtful, effective design proposals. With decades of combined experience, we specialize in creating well-rounded projects rooted in the unique context of New England, including historic preservation, architectural design, and urban planning. Our values emphasize a healthy work-life balance, self-improvement, and mutually beneficial business relationships. We pride ourselves on our extensive portfolio spanning government, commercial, housing, and industrial sectors, reflecting our ability to adapt to diverse project types across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.Our team includes licensed professionals with credentials such as AIA, NCARB, and LEED AP, ensuring expertise in sustainability and complex project execution. By prioritizing client expectations and end-user characteristics, we transform challenges into opportunities for meaningful architecture. Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through long-standing collaborations with public housing authorities, healthcare providers, and industrial clients like Gortons of Gloucester. This dedication to context-aware design and client-centric solutions has solidified our reputation as a trusted architectural firm in the region.
Services
Government Architecture
Commercial Design
Housing Development
Industrial Architecture
Historic Preservation
Urban Planning
Restaurant Renovation
Medical Clinic Design
Food Processing Facilities
Multi-family Housing
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of combined experience in New England architecture
- Our team includes LEED Accredited Professionals for sustainable design
- We specialize in historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects
- We maintain direct client collaboration throughout the design process
- We serve diverse sectors including government, healthcare, and industrial clients
Associations and certifications
- AIA
- LEED AP
- NCARB
What people say
Strong client relationships
Contextual design expertise
Diverse project experience
Professional team
Timely delivery
Services
Government Architecture
We design facilities for government agencies and municipalities, including housing developments, educational institutions, and healthcare clinics. Our expertise includes working with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities and HUD developments. We focus on accessibility, safety, and compliance with public sector requirements while maintaining aesthetic value.
Commercial Design
Our commercial architecture services cater to restaurants, healthcare providers, and specialty retailers. We provide consultation for new construction and renovations, specializing in creating functional spaces that enhance business operations. Recent projects include adaptive reuse of existing buildings and designing for brand-specific requirements in dining and medical sectors.
Historic Preservation
We specialize in preserving historic buildings while implementing modern functionality. Our team has extensive experience with New England's architectural heritage, including adaptive reuse of 19th-century school buildings and maintaining historical integrity during expansions. This expertise ensures compliance with preservation standards while meeting contemporary needs.
Industrial Architecture
We design efficient industrial spaces for food processing, distribution, and manufacturing. Our approach prioritizes operational efficiency and safety standards while addressing unique challenges like 24/7 pharmacy co-location. We collaborate with specialized engineers to execute complex projects in diverse industrial settings across New England.
Multi-family Housing
We create housing solutions ranging from private residences to large-scale developments. Our process focuses on optimizing budgets and balancing client goals with end-user needs. We work with both private developers and public housing authorities to deliver sustainable, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing multi-family housing projects throughout New England.
People
Richard Griffin
Principal
With over 30 years of experience, Richard co-founded Derby Square Architects after establishing his own firm in 1998. He holds a Master of Architecture from Clemson University and specializes in New England context-driven design.
William Peterson
Principal
A licensed architect with 20+ years of experience, Bill specializes in multi-family housing, civic buildings, and historic preservation. He serves as Captain in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, focusing on base facility design.
Nathan Bonaiuto
Associate Principal
An experienced designer and project manager, Nathan brings expertise in residential and commercial projects. He holds a Master of Architecture degree and specializes in passive house certification (CPHC).
Karla Nietzsch Tinkjian
Project Designer
A LEED Accredited Professional with Massachusetts construction supervision licensing, Karla has extensive experience in design and drafting. She fluently speaks both English and Brazilian Portuguese.
Julia Sierra Ramirez
Project Designer
Recent graduate from Roger Williams University with dual expertise in architecture and construction. Skilled in Revit, AutoCAD, and Adobe software, Julia brings fresh perspective to our design team.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in government, commercial, housing, and industrial architecture with expertise in historic preservation and New England context-driven design.
Do you work outside of Massachusetts?
While based in Salem, we work throughout New England including New Hampshire on diverse project types from housing to industrial facilities.
How do you approach historic building projects?
Our approach balances preservation with modern functionality, maintaining historical integrity while meeting current safety and accessibility standards.
What makes your firm unique?
We combine decades of local experience with a collaborative process that prioritizes client needs and environmental context in every design solution.
Can you handle complex industrial projects?
Yes, we've completed challenging industrial projects including food processing plants and facilities with unique constraints like 24/7 operational co-locations.
