Why is Architectural Design Build a Leading Practice in Boston’s Metro West?

NEDC turned twenty last year…our 21st Birthday is already approaching with speed.

Having gone to Tufts Architectural, worked in an international design studio and subsequently worked a job in the trades to teach myself to actually build–I have observed many building projects, approaches and practices.

After university I became fascinated with the role of the Architect in today’s society as well as throughout history. I could not reconcile the divide I observed in the workplace between the “Architect” and the “Builder.” How and why did they live in such different worlds? And after studying architecture in school how could it be that I did not know how to actually build or to direct others to do so?

These questions led me to the trades where I worked as a carpenter to teach myself to actually build. It was humbling but very needed. I researched deeply the original role of the Architect in history and found that lo and behold–for thousands of years the Architect actually built.

“Architect” defined:

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 800 BC. The Architect’s true heritage is that of Master Builder—a legacy nearly lost in today’s industry.

In today’s world this is known as Architectural Design Build. Truly the established and natural approach to the creation of the built environment–the role of the Architect and Builder as one was fractured in the mid 1800s with the formation of the AIA (American Institute of Architects). This was a social power play that led to the disintegration of training in the trades and birthed a college-based curriculum rooted in the safety and sanctity of the classroom.

Today homeowners throughout the United States, New England and Boston are turning to Architectural Design Build as their chosen approach to the creation of a new home or a significant home remodel.

“Once considered “an alternative form of project delivery,” design-build is now the fastest growing and most commonly used project delivery method in the United States. FMI Corporation projects design-build to represent over 47% of spending by 2028 and account for $2.6 trillion of construction spending over the 2024 – 2028 forecast period. It is widely used for both private and public sector (federal, state and municipal) projects and across all project types, including vertical (building) construction, transportation and water/wastewater markets.

In all other project delivery methods, there are separate contracts for design and construction. The single contract for both design and construction is the fundamental difference between design-build and other project delivery systems.

But design-build is more than a sole-source contract. It is as much a mindset as it is a process. It is intended to be a highly collaborative, fully integrated undertaking that is built on trust, mutual respect, teamwork, innovation and creative problem solving. Design-build works best when everybody makes the mental shift to think and act as a single entity focused on achieving shared project goals.”

Ref: Design Build Institute of America

This is a talk I recently gave at TEDx Walden Pond: Why Architects Must Become Builders Once More.

We now have many lovely clients across Boston’s MetroWest, including Brookline, Wellesley, Chestnut Hill, Wayland, Newton, Weston, and our new hometown of Lexington.

These are a few reviews from our clients along these lines:

“NEDC did a major design and renovation on our house in 2024, centering around the kitchen. It’s still amazing to me how much positive impact this project has had on our lives. The new open space is just a joy to be in, even when we’re not cooking, but even more so when we are. We are grateful for Schneidee’s guidance through the design phase, recommending so much we would never have thought of ourselves, and generally being sure the new space would work for us. And it was tremendously comforting to have someone of John’s expertise and resourcefulness guiding us through construction. Both Schneidee and John were a real pleasure to work with. I must admit, I thought “lifting spirits with spaces” was just a nice slogan, but it is indeed a real experience we have everyday. Super happy and super grateful!”

NEDC Client – K.H. Boston

“I tell anyone who will listen how grateful I am to have worked with NEDC for our project. David and his entire team go above and beyond to ensure that their clients feel supported, heard, and in-the-know. I am a big believer in the design-build process and the protections it offers to the homeowner, and I’ve been consistently impressed by the beauty and function of our design as well as the team communication. I’d give NEDC 6 stars if I could!”

NEDC Client – M.B. Boston

“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.D. – Cambridge, MA

At NEDC we are now a creative team of 25 Architects, Interior Designers, Project Managers and Artisan Builders operating as a single source of accountability in the legacy of the Architect as a Master Builder from our new headquarters at 342 Bedford Street in Lexington, MA.