Boston’s top architecture firms in 2026 include two winners of the AIA Architecture Firm Award, Payette, honoured in 2019 for its healthcare and science buildings, and MASS Design Group, recognised in 2022, alongside large practices such as CBT, Elkus Manfredi and the Boston studios of Gensler and Perkins&Will, and dozens of residential and boutique studios. This guide profiles 50 architecture firms in Boston, listed without ranking, with quick facts below.
Architects in Boston: Quick Facts (2026)
| Firms covered | 50, from global offices to small residential studios |
| Award winners on the list | Payette, AIA Architecture Firm Award 2019, and MASS Design Group, AIA Architecture Firm Award 2022 |
| A name change to note | Ann Beha Architects now practises as Annum Architects |
| Range of work | Hospitals and labs, university campuses, towers and workplaces, hotels, houses and renovations |
| The Boston market | Universities and medical institutions drive much of the city’s architecture, alongside downtown commercial work and historic-district renovation |
| How to read the list | Not a ranking; profiles reviewed and updated in 2026. Shortlist by built work in your project type |
Architects in Boston Massachusetts have done a lot to put the city on the radar. Being the seat of the Boston Architectural College, there are definitely many great architects in Boston MA. There are many landscape architects in Boston MA, along with many others. Most of these architects either own or work for some big architecture firms in Boston.
RTF has tried here to list down the top 50 Architecture Firms in Boston, arranged in alphabetical order. Being the oldest and largest city in MA, there are many architecture firms in Boston to watch (not leaving out so many landscape architect firms in Boston MA). The city has clusters of structures from the 17th century and an overwhelmingly large amount of modern architecture in a small radius, displaying an amalgamation of old and new.
Boston has evolved into a large cosmopolitan center for education, industry, finance, and technology today and these architecture firms in Boston have created a new and growing industry – tourism! Here are some of the top Architecture firms in Boston MA.
Annum Architects (formerly Ann Beha Architects)
Scope of services: Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Recreational, educational
Locations of Built Projects: MA, United States, and abroad
Style of work: Contemporary architectural expression and revitalization of historic resources.
Website: www.annbeha.com
The practice founded by Ann Beha, long associated with cultural and campus buildings, now works under the name Annum Architects.
ARC | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, interior design, Planning
Types of Built Projects: Institutional, Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Innovative, Functional
Website: www.arcusa.com
Arrowstreet Inc.
Scope of services: Architecture, interior design, urban design
Types of Built Projects: Hospitality, residential, research, urban design, educational, institutional, recreational, mixed-use
Locations of Built Projects: Boston
Style of work:
Website: www.arrowstreet.com
Bruner | Cott Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, historic renovation, interior design
Types of Built Projects: Cultural, Educational, Commercial
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Functional, Inclusive
Website: www.brunercott.com
BUTZ + KLUG Architecture
Scope of services: Architecture, Furniture design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, institutional
Locations of Built Projects: Boston, Brooklyn
Style of work: Contemporary
Website: www.bkarch.com
Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, Inc.
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, institutional, commercial, cultural, recreational & community centers, hospitality, healthcare, historic preservation.
Locations of Built Projects: Boston, Washington D.C. and distant locales such as Dublin, Singapore, Paris, and London.
Style of work: Modern
Website: www.bhplus.com
Cannon Design | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, interior design, Lighting design, construction services, sustainable design
Types of Built Projects: Healthcare, commercial, urban design, educational, institutional, hospitality
Locations of Built Projects: Unites States and India
Style of work: Sustainable, Elegant
Website: www.cannondesign.com
Catalano Architects
Scope of services: Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Boston
Style of work: Pragmatic, Inventive
Website: www.catalanoarchitects.com
CBT Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, urban design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, institutional, commercial, cultural, recreational &, hospitality, mixed-use, urban design
Locations of Built Projects: Asia, United States, Caribbean, Massachusetts, New England
Style of work: Contemporary, Elegant
Website: www.cbtarchitects.com
Christopher Hall Architects
Scope of services: Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts, Rhode island
Style of work: Contemporary, Traditional, Elegant
Website: www.challarchitects.com
Dimella Shaffer Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, Planning, Sustainability
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Institutional
Locations of Built Projects: Seattle, Boston
Style of work: Functional, Innovative, Pragmatic, sustainable
Website: www.dimellashaffer.com
Elkus – Manfredi Architects | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, master planning, interior design, historic preservation, experiential graphic design.
Types of Built Projects: academic, civic/public, corporate, institutional
Locations of Built Projects: Boston
Style of work: Dynamic, Sustainable
Website: www.elkus-manfredi.com
Founded in 1988 by David Manfredi and Howard Elkus, the firm’s Boston work runs from the InterContinental hotel to the restoration and expansion of Emerson College’s Paramount Theatre.
Embarc Studio
Scope of services: Architecture, master planning, historic renovation, interior design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Commercial
Locations of Built Projects: MA, United States
Style of work: Innovative and Elegant
Website: www.embarcstudio.com
Gensler
Scope of services: Architecture, urban design, Research
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Institutional, Commercial, Cultural, Community, Hospitality, Healthcare, Mixed-use, Planning
Locations of Built Projects: North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, China, Asia
Style of work: Contemporary, Pragmatic
Website: www.gensler.com
Goody Clancy
Scope of services: Architecture, Planning, Urban Design, Preservation
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Institutional, Civic & Government
Locations of Built Projects: United States
Style of work: Elegant, Innovative
Website: www.goodyclancy.com
Grassi Design Group
Scope of services: Architecture, master planning, technical services, interior design
Types of Built Projects: single-family housing, multifamily housing, commercial, hotels & resorts
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Contemporary, Modern, elegant
Website: www.beauchemingrassi.com
Hacin + Associates | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, Branding + graphic design, historic preservation, urban design, planning, feasibility studies
Types of Built Projects: Residential, institutional, commercial, hospitality
Locations of Built Projects: across United States, Europe and Asia
Style of work: Modern, Elegant
Website: www.hacin.com
HDR
Scope of services: Architecture, Research
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Commercial, Civic & Cultural, Institutional, Industrial, Urban Design
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Contemporary, Elegant
Website: www.hdrinc.com
HNTB
Scope of services: Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Aviation, Sports, Transit
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: sustainable, Efficient
Website: www.hntb.com
I K Design
Scope of services: Architecture, technical services, interior design, lighting design, graphic design
Types of Built Projects: recreational, residential
Locations of Built Projects: Boston and San Francisco
Style of work: Holistic, Sustainable, and Elegant
Website: i-k-design.com
Isgenuity
Scope of services: Architecture, Research
Types of Built Projects: Healthcare, Research, Academic
Locations of built projects: New England
Style of work: Sustainable, Inventive, Engaging
Website: www.isgenuity.com
Koo De Kir Architectural Interiors
Scope of services: Interior Design
Types of Built Projects: Restaurant, Villa, Office, Residence, Showroom, Hotel
Locations of Built Projects: Boston
Style of work: Their signature soft modern style of work is casual, elegant, fresh, electric and warm.
Website: www.koodekir.com
LDa Architecture & Interiors | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, Sustainable architecture, Feasibility studies, programming, master planning, landscape, Graphic design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, institutional, commercial, cultural
Locations of Built Projects: New England, cape and across the country.
Style of work: contemporary, transitional, modern, traditional
Website: www.lda-architects.com
Leers Weinzapfel Associates
Scope of services: Architecture, Urban Design, Research
Types of Built Projects: Civic & Community, Educational, Infrastructure, Urban Design
Locations of Built Projects: United States
Style of work: Modern, Elegant, Sustainable
Website: www.lwa-architects.com
Linea 5
Scope of services: Architecture, master planning, interior design, historic preservation, Structural design, Facility assessment
Types of Built Projects: Healthcare, educational, institutional, recreational, historic preservation, Structural
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Modern, Functional
Website: www.linea5.com
Machado – Silvetti
Scope of services: Architecture, Urban design
Types of Built Projects: Commercial, Institutional, educational, conservational
Locations of built projects: Berlin, Beirut, Buenos Aires, Seoul, Singapore, Rome, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Vietnam and across the United States.
Style of work: Elegant, timeless, Functional
Website: www.machado-silvetti.com
Mass Design Group | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture and Research
Types of Built Projects: Educational and Public health Infrastructure.
Locations of Built Projects: The majority of their projects are built across various countries in Africa and America.
Style of work: Inclusive, Efficient, and functional.
Website: www.massdesigngroup.org
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MASS Design Group, co-founded by Michael Murphy and Alan Ricks, operates as a nonprofit and received the AIA Architecture Firm Award in 2022.
McMahon Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Commercial, Hospitality, Restaurant
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Elegant, Innovative, and Modern
Website: www.mcmahonarchitects.com
NADAAA
Scope of services: Architecture, urban design, Furniture design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, institutional, commercial, hospitality, Mixed use, Research, Furniture
Locations of Built Projects: United States
Style of work: Contemporary, Elegant
Website: www.nadaaa.com
NBBJ
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, Landscape, Planning, Urban Design, Hospitality, Lighting design, Experience Design
Types of Built Projects: Commercial, Institutional, Civic and Cultural, Healthcare
Locations of built projects: Boston, Columbus, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Pune, Shanghai, San Francisco, Seattle
Style of work: Modern, Elegant
Website: www.nbbj.com
Nelson Worldwide
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior Design
Types of Built Projects: Restaurants, mixed-use, retail, workspace, hospitality, Industrial
Locations of Built Projects: MA
Style of work: Contemporary, elegant
Website: www.nelsonworldwide.com
New England Design & Construction
Scope of services: Architecture, interior design
Types of Built Projects: Academic, Civic/public, Corporate, Institutional
Locations of Built Projects: Boston and Route 128 radius around Boston
Style of work: Classy, Minimalistic
Website: www.nedesignbuild.com
ONY Architecture | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior Design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Commercial and Hospitality.
Locations of Built Projects: ONY maintains a diverse portfolio of work in Boston including it’s surrounding suburbs, as well as a few projects in the greater New England area.
Style of work: Distinguished, simple, elegant and timeless.
Website: www.onyarchitecture.com
Patrick Ahearn
Scope of services: Architecture, master planning, historic renovation, interior design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Recreational, Healthcare, and Educational
Locations of Built Projects: United States
Style of work: Incorporating the needs for modern technology, environmental controls, and current building codes without affecting the historical integrity of the home.
Website: www.patrickahearn.com
Payette
Scope of services: Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Institutional, Healthcare
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Pragmatic
Website: www.payette.com
Payette traces its roots to 1932, when industrial engineers Fred Markus and Paul Nocka began the practice that took its current name in 1974. Its healthcare, science and academic buildings earned it the AIA Architecture Firm Award in 2019.
Perkins & Will
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, Landscape, Planning, Urban Design, Hospitality
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Commercial, Institutional, and Cultural
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Inclusive, Innovative, and Modern
Website: www.perkinswill.com
Perry Dean Rogers Partners Architects
Scope of services: master planning, interior design, sustainable design, Renovation, Feasibility studies
Types of Built Projects: Libraries, Arts & Civic, Campus planning
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Sustainable, Inventive, Engaging
Website: www.perrydean.com
Populous Architects | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, interior design, Landscape, Wayfinding, Urban design, Product design
Types of Built Projects: Stadium, Arenas, Transportation, Mixed-use, campus planning
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Innovative, Sustainable
Website: www.populous.com
RODE Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Design, and Master planning.
Types of Built Projects: Commercial, Residential, Institutional, Industrial, Urban Design
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Modern, Simple and Elegant
Website: www.rodearchitects.com
Shepley Bulfinch
Scope of services: Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Healthcare, Education, Libraries, Civic and Mixed use
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Contemporary design approach
Website: www.shepleybulfinch.com
Smithgroup
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, Landscape, Civil engineering, Coastal engineering, Historic preservation, Healthcare, lighting design, Urban design, MEP Engineering, Energy and Environmental modeling.
Types of Built Projects: cultural, government, healthcare, educational, mixed-use, urban spaces, waterfront
Locations of Built Projects: United States
Style of work: Modern, Contextual and Inclusive
Website: www.smithgroup.com
Stantec
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, Preservation, landscape
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Institutional, Civic & cultural, coastal & marine, Healthcare
Locations of Built Projects: United States
Style of work: Elegant, Modern
Website: www.stantec.com
Stern McCafferty | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Commercial
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Conventional, Elegant, Modern
Website: www.sternmccafferty.com
Studio LUZ Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Commercial, Institutional, and Cultural
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Elegant, Innovative, and Modern
Website: studioluz.net
The Narrow Gate
Scope of services: Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Affordable housing, supportive housing, community space
Locations of Built Projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Contemporary, Traditional
Website: www.the-narrow-gate.com
Touloukian Touloukian Inc.
Scope of services: Architecture, Urban design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Commercial, Cultural, Institutional, Historic
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Modern
Website: www.wilsonarch.com
Utile Design
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, Planning, Urban design
Types of Built Projects: Commercial, Institutional, Residential
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Modern, Elegant
Website: www.utiledesign.com
Wilson HGA | Boston Architects
Scope of services: Architecture, Research
Types of Built Projects: Corporate, Civic & Cultural, Institutional
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: sustainable buildings and spaces that foster human interactions and collaborations: campus, community, and consensus.
Website: www.wilsonarch.com
William Rawn Associates
Scope of services: Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Institutional, Government
Locations of built projects: Massachusetts
Style of work: Contemporary Modernism, Minimalist Aesthetic, and uncluttered.
Website: www.rawnarch.com
Zero Energy Design
Scope of services: Architecture, Mechanical design, financial analysis
Types of Built Projects: Residential, institutional, mixed use, LEED, Net zero
Locations of Built Projects: United States
Style of work: Ecologically sensible and Innovative
Website: zeroenergy.com
How to Choose an Architecture Firm in Boston
Match the firm to the building first. Boston’s market is dominated by institutional work, hospitals, labs and campuses, and the firms that excel there are rarely the right call for a South End row house, while the city’s residential studios rarely chase lab buildings. Confirm the architect is licensed in Massachusetts, and treat AIA membership as a professional mark rather than a requirement. If your project touches a historic district, and much of central Boston does, ask specifically about experience with the relevant commission, because approvals in Beacon Hill, Back Bay and the South End have their own rhythm and an architect who knows the process protects your schedule.
On fees, Boston firms variously charge a percentage of construction cost, a fixed fee or hourly rates for smaller studies, and the spread between proposals is often really a spread in scope. Ask two or three shortlisted firms for written proposals against the same brief, confirm what is excluded, and talk to a recent client about how the firm handled permitting, contractors and changes. For renovations in older housing stock, which is most of Boston, that reference call matters more than any portfolio image.
Other Boston Names Readers Ask About
A few firms come up in almost every conversation about Boston architecture even though every list draws its own boundaries. Sasaki, founded in 1953 by the landscape architect Hideo Sasaki and headquartered just outside the city in Watertown, is one of the region’s most influential practices; its recent work includes the renewal of Boston City Hall Plaza. Finegold Alexander Architects has built its reputation on preservation and adaptive reuse, the kind of work Boston’s building stock constantly demands. And Bruner/Cott, best known for transforming a Massachusetts factory complex into MASS MoCA, carries that same conviction that the city’s older buildings are assets rather than obstacles.
The geography matters too. The Seaport has absorbed much of the city’s new commercial and residential construction, Cambridge drives laboratory and campus work across the river, and the older neighbourhoods, Back Bay, Beacon Hill and the South End, keep the city’s preservation specialists busy. Most established firms work across all of it, which is why a portfolio check against your project type beats any geographic shortlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the most famous architects in Boston?
Historically, Charles Bulfinch, designer of the Massachusetts State House, is the city’s founding figure. Today the most decorated practices include Payette, which won the AIA Architecture Firm Award in 2019, and MASS Design Group, which won it in 2022, while firms such as CBT, Elkus Manfredi and Arrowstreet shape much of what gets built downtown.
How much does an architect cost in Boston?
There is no standard rate. Boston firms charge a percentage of construction cost, a fixed fee or hourly rates, and the number moves with scope, complexity and the firm’s seniority. Request written proposals from two or three firms for the same clearly defined brief and compare what each includes, from permitting to construction administration.
Is this list a ranking?
No. The 50 firms appear without any order of merit. The selection reflects built work in and around Boston and an active practice, and it is reviewed periodically, most recently in 2026.
Are small firms better for a house project?
Often, yes. Boston’s small and mid-sized studios live on renovations, additions and new houses, and they give a homeowner more principal-level attention than a large institutional office can. The honest filter is recent built work at your project’s scale and experience with your neighbourhood’s permitting, not headcount.
Which firms on this list handle residential work?
A substantial share of the 50 are residential specialists working on brownstone and row-house renovations, suburban houses and small multifamily buildings. Shortlist studios whose recent portfolio matches your building type, and for historic districts ask about commission approvals at the first meeting.
Planning a project in another city? See our guides to the top 100 architecture firms in London and the top architects in Mumbai.
Sources for the 2026 update: Architect Magazine, Payette wins 2019 AIA Architecture Firm Award. Architect Magazine, MASS Design Group wins 2022 AIA Architecture Firm Award. Wikipedia, Elkus Manfredi Architects. New England Real Estate Journal, Ann Beha Architects is now Annum Architects.
