CAMBRIDGE: REAL ESTATE, CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BUILD

Eric Kilby – Flickr: Sunrise over Central Square

As New England Design and Construction nears its twentieth anniversary, I thought it appropriate to share our views and experience in working throughout Cambridge, MA for nearly two decades. 

We have many wonderful clients here and frequently work throughout Cambridge, delivering custom architectural design build services for homeowners. 

If you are considering moving to Cambridge, or you already live in Cambridge and are considering a major home remodel—here are a few thoughts that may assist: 

First of all, what makes Cambridge special?   

• The population is nearly 120,000.  It’s the fourth largest city in Massachusetts.  It’s not small, but it feels homey.  A warm, educated suburban vibe with close access to Boston. 
• Bright, intellectually curious people.  Cambridge is home to both MIT and Harvard, with many faculty and students calling Cambridge home.   By our observation Cambridge draws some of the brightest minds in the world.  These institutions provide culture, jobs and an academic influence to the area. 
• Proximity to Boston.  Cambridge is right across the river from Boston.  Easy access by car, foot or public transportation. 
• Cambridge restaurants and eateries.  The food is just great, as is the coffee culture.   

Some of the best restaurants near Porter Square in Cambridge: 

https://www.timeout.com/boston/restaurants/best-restaurants-in-harvard-square

Some of the best restaurants near Harvard Square in Cambridge: 

https://www.timeout.com/boston/restaurants/best-restaurants-in-harvard-square

CNBC ranked Cambridge, MA the best place to live in the entire US:

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/26/top-10-best-us-cities-to-live-in-2023.html

REAL ESTATE TRENDS IN CAMBRIDGE MA—WELCOME TO 2024

According to Redfin.com a here are currently 113 or so properties on the market in Cambridge, MA, ranging from $779,000 to 12.5 million.  

Median sale price in Cambridge is $1,075,000 with Cambridge homes taking 34 days on average to sell. 

A real estate advisor in Cambridge whom we know, love and highly recommend is Charles Cherney.  He is a local Compass agent–cheerful, experienced, extremely intelligent and he delivers consistently five-star service to all clients.   

https://www.cambridgerealestate.com/

charles.cherney@compass.com

+1 617-733-8937

WHAT IS ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BUILD? 

First of all, lets look at the derivation of the word, “Architect.” 

The root of the word “Architect” is as follows: 

The root of the word architect breaks down into “chief” or “master” (arkhi) and “builder” (tekton). 

Archi and tekton come from the ancient Greek language, which originated as far back as 3,000 BC. 

ARCHITECT = MASTER BUILDER 

Here is an overview of the two trending approaches to home design and remodeling in Cambridge, Boston and throughout the US: 

There are two primary approaches to a major home design and remodel. While this can be made very complex as a subject, the natural creative process is fundamentally simple. 

I will cover both here: 

Design-Bid-Build is the process that has been introduced over the past 150 years or so whereby you as the client directly hire an architect to draft plans and design your project—to then have it bid out to multiple contractors seeking to win the bid and perform the project. This approach has been generalized as mainstream over the past decades and sold to homeowners, often creating client stress and potential loss of both client funds and time. This approach has many liabilities for the client due in no small part to the fragmented spheres of responsibilities which this system and method creates. 

There is no single person or entity fully accountable to the client for the entire project’s success. 

This single factor alone can create a host of problems for the client. 

By default the client is ultimately responsible for both Architect and Builder as well as the ultimate success of the project. Thus one can have impractical and expensive design work, impractical planning, numerous change orders, shoddy craftsmanship, and projects which are off timeline and over budget. In the end, the client can be left damaged. You or a family member or friend may have experienced this in the past. We have many clients come to us after poor experiences with this approach. 

Architectural Design-Build (also Design Build) is the natural approach to creation of the built environment and has been used for thousands of years to create many of the beautiful structures of earth. Architectural Design Build is the route 

of choice if one desires to save on time and money, reduce stress, and eliminate a fragmented sense of project responsibility in the people working for you. 

Architectural Design Build is a model that stresses single-source accountability with the creative design, planning, and remodel executed start to finish by one firm. 

Architectural Design-Build in Boston is currently being turned to by professionals, families, and individuals as the cutting edge of efficiency, aesthetics, practicality, and accountability when it comes to designing and remodeling a home. This approach packages architectural design and interior design services with artisan-level building and remodeling services. 

This natural synthesis makes for a simple, efficient, and accountable creative process followed by a streamlined and responsible build phase, reducing cost, time of execution, and client stress throughout. 

With the Architectural Design Build approach, the client is dealing solely with one fully accountable firm. 

New England Design and Construction specializes in Architectural Design Build with a specific focus on sustainable luxury homes. We are extremely mindful of environmental impact and passionate about project efficiency and client comfort. 

A FEW WORDS FROM AN NEDC ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BUILD CLIENT IN CAMBRIDGE, MA: 

“Working with (Architectural) Design Build really just made it feel quite organized and low stress.” 

NEDC Client in Cambridge, MA speaks: 

“It’s (been) almost two years on now and my wife and I still look around the house and kind of marvel at how nice it looks and how well it was done. 

So that’s dramatically improved our lives, our nights of sleep and pretty much just how we live every day in the house. 

We live differently and better in this new space. 

It is brighter, is airier, it feels transformed–NEDC accomplished their mission of Lifting our Spirits with this new space 

We met with individual architects and a few others before we met with Dave (Supple) from NEDC. 

It became really clear from the start once we met with Dave (who spent a long time talking with us at our kitchen table understanding what we were looking for) that this was going to be a smoother more organized process working with an (Architectural) Design Build company and not having to manage multiple people. 

Working with Design Build really just made it feel quite organized and low stress. 

The process couldn’t have been better! 

We sort of went from the initial requirements gathering—NEDC’s learning about what we wanted, to a collection of high-level designs that we narrowed down. 

We really nailed down every last detail before the construction began. 

So, there were very few surprises once we moved into that construction phase, which also was very smooth. 

I mean I can honestly say that it completed on time and on budget which seems remarkable.    

As the construction began, we had weekly meetings and check-ins throughout the week with the (NEDC) Project Manager. 

Regular check-ins and the constant communication made our relationship with NEDC really great and gave us a lot of trust that it was going pretty much exactly the way we wanted 

it never felt like we were out of a loop, or that there was any surprises–as a result of that we are just thrilled with the final product! 

The quality of NEDC’s work might be what impressed me the most.

NEDC really listened to what we were looking to get out of it–which was the space that was bright and fresh, and paid a lot of attention to the details 

For both of us it was important that that the work be kind of clean and precise, and working with the (NEDC) designers and the builders it just felt like they really heard that. 

NEDC not only delivered what they promised but exceeded our expectations” 

Jared M. 

NEDC Architectural Design Build client, Cambridge MA. 

NEW ENGLAND DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION – WHO ARE WE? 

At NEDC we are a creative team of 24 architects, interior designers and experienced project managers dedicated to the legacy of the Architect as a Master Builder.   We deliver high–end and luxury architectural design build services across Cambridge, Boston and Metrowest with a focus on sustainable home design.  We take our clients from conceptual design through artisan build on a single platform, followed by a five-year warranty on our work.  

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE 2024 COST GUIDE HERE: 

DAVID MUNIZ SUPPLE – FOUNDER/CEO 

1. DAVE@NEDESIGNBUILD.COM

2. 617 474 0309 

RYAN MANHOFF – BRAND DIRECTOR 

1. RYAMM@NEDESIGNBUILD.COM

2. 484 809 3636