We have been designing and remodeling Boston homes for nearly 20 years now – since 2005.

I graduated from Tufts Architectural in 2002 before working with an international design studio for several years.  It became very apparent to me that while rich in theory I was deficient in practical knowledge and direct experience in the actual creation of the built environment.  I had not experienced this directly to any large degree.  To be honestly able to direct others on the most efficient and intelligent way to create a sustainable luxury home was going to require ample hands-on experience which I clearly did not have.

I took a job a carpenter to teach myself to actually build.  I was not amazing at first, to be honest.  But I learned and the experience was invaluable.

Through this self-styled immersion into the trades was born a personal respect and love for each individual trade.  There is a dignity and timeless value in each of the trades which together comprise the creation of the built environment.   The value of each is as straightforward and honest as the individual master who carries each trade forward—even in today’s modern world.

The beauty of custom stonework, a master carpenter’s work to create a custom stairwell, or a wall that is perfectly framed and built are all components which comprise a custom home remodel today.  There is dignity and tangible value in each.

Through a personal appreciation of such NEDC (New England Design & Construction) was born.  My appreciation for the trades combined with my personal research into the history of the architect as a master builder let to the  creation of a firm which honored and embraced this legacy of the architect as a master builder.

In simple terms, a creative firm which would operate as an architect/master builder of old, offering all design, planning and construction services to a client on a single platform in a seamless, natural process.

The actual legacy of the architect is that of master builder.

The word “Architect” in fact has its derivation in Greek from “Arki” meaning “Chief” and ‘Tekton” meaning “Builder or Carpenter.”

For thousands of years the architect was fully responsible for the entire project from conceptual design and full planning through the execution of the building cycle. Planning, cost, value engineering, foresight, aesthetics and skillful execution were all harmoniously interwoven in a single creative vector.

We recently produced this short film to illustrate this foundational concept: 

Our vision with NEDC is to Lift Spirits with Spaces. 

This is the effect and impression we seek to create, working hand in hand with our clients. 

To be frank, it can be a complex and confusing process when a homeowner embarks on the actual process of a home redesign and remodel.  Who does one initially reach out to—an architect?  A builder?  Or maybe an interior designer or landscape architect? 

Trust is a major issue.  We’ve had clients come to us after investing six figures in architectural plans only to find out during the bidding process that it will cost them twice their anticipated budget to actually create their new home.  This is a painful surprise.  It is also very much avoidable. 

The current scene in the industry is a fragmented one whereby the planning, design and building disciplines have been arbitrarily separated – often leaving the client in the middle ultimately responsible for qualifying, hiring and ultimately running each separately. 

This can be extremely stressful to the client and can waste time and carefully saved funds.   

The pain from such can be avoided. 

Remodeling one’s Boston home can actually be a joyful, creative experience. 

We are a team of nearly twenty architects, interior designers, administrators and artisan builders based in Boston.  We specialize in high-end and luxury architectural design build home remodels with an emphasis on sustainable design and the creation of custom Passive Houses. 

We work across the Greater Boston Area including: Allston, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Boston, Brighton, Brookline, Cambridge, Dedham, Dorchester, Dorchester Center, Dover, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Milton, Needham, Newton, Newton Center, Newtonville, Norwood, Quincy, Somerville, South Boston, Swampscott, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, West Newton, Westwood, Winchester, Charlestown, Needham Heights, Newton Upper Falls, Roslindale, Wellesley Hills, West Roxbury, Chestnut Hill, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Waban, Framingham, Natick, Back Bay 

OUR PROCESS: 

NEDC Complimentary In-Home Evaluation

Architectural Design Development

Construction Documents & Material Selection

Pre-Construction Meeting

Weekly Meetings During the Construction Phase

Substantial Completion Walkthrough

Post Construction Wrap Up & Project Binder

Three-Year Warranty 

OUR ETHOS AT NEDC: 

We are passionate about sustainable design and the value and beauty of our earth.  This resonates deeply with our design work.  We work with ample natural light as well as sustainable and reclaimed design elements. 

We are wrapping up one of Boston’s first Passive House custom conversions in Somerville, MA.  This is a beautiful two-family home which we have designed and remodeled into a custom, single-family passive house.  It is an extremely special project offering a nearly zero carbon footprint.  Both the project and the clients are extremely special to us and we are very proud to have been a part of this unique and impactful project. 

We are passionate about communication, honesty, responsibility and the value of people.   Our clients become friends for life.  We put our heart and soul into what we do. 

It is about art, craftsmanship and the creation of an experience in which our clients find ‘home.’ 

So, to answer my initial question – Yes, it is entirely possible to love your Boston home remodel! 

“FIVE STARS 

Positive: Professionalism, Quality 

They do very high-quality work and take care of everything. They also operate with a lot of integrity and trustworthiness. When something doesn’t go to plan, they take care of it. They do everything they can to make sure you are happy and satisfied with the work and that you are setup to enjoy it for a long time. This is hard to find in the construction business and is what sets NEDC apart, in my opinion.

I can’t imagine another design and build firm that is as professional, reliable and talented as NEDC. The team is very personable, passionate and just plain nice. And the end result is outstanding. Our entire family (pets included) is extremely satisfied, now and for the future, with what they created for us.” 

NEDC Clients H.R. – Boston 

 

“FIVE STARS 

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value 

NEDC did a gut renovation of our house. The process with them was amazing from start to finish. From our first meeting with the president, Dave Supple, who inspected all corners of house and talked about our goals, to the wrap-up of the punch list with the project manager and lead designer, everything went exceedingly well.

The process began with a series of broad design options and price ranges, then settled to one primary design during which we refined all the details and finalize the budget; then we moved onto all the material, appliance and finish selections, which is also done hand-in-hand with NEDC’s designers.

Once construction began, we had a weekly meeting with the project manager to discuss what had been done the prior week and what was coming. This allowed for timely course correction.

The project was completed on time – maybe even a bit ahead of schedule, I don’t remember, despite some COVID permitting setbacks – and at the budget that was set at the end of the design process. We were very happy with NEDC.” 

NEDC Client, J.M. – Cambridge, MA 

 

“FIVE STARS 

We really enjoyed working with NEDC, from start to finish. The designers were wonderful about accommodating our tastes and considering costs as we tried to stretch our budget as much as we could. They also did a great job helping us figure out some features of universal design that will allow friends and family with mobility challenges to access our whole first floor, including the new bathroom, with ease without compromising the look of the room for our everyday use.  

The construction crew, from NEDC staff to subcontractors, was extremely considerate of the fact that we were living in the space while they were working, going so far as to leave a very clean workspace at the end of every day. Everyone was personable and professional and did their best to manage even small details like making sure our cat didn’t get into the basement.  

Our old house held many surprises for us, and in spite of that they managed to come in on schedule, which was amazing, and they were always great about communicating what these surprises would mean in terms of changes in schedule, budget, etc. In terms of finishes, their work is top quality, and they have been great about correcting even small cosmetic issues, ensuring that our home looks just as we hoped.  

They have taken a very tired old building and turned it into a beautiful, functional space that we are proud to call home.” 

NEDC Client K.T. – Cambridge, MA 

Love, 

David Muñiz Supple 

Dave@nedesignbuild.com

Download our free 2023 Boston Home Remodeling Cost Guide here!