One of the most critical factors in choosing an architect is the question of style. How does the firm approach design style, and can they adapt to your preferences?

Some offices impose their house style on every project — a brand you purchase like a Tiffany blue box.  The advantage is it’s a known quantity; you get the same look you see in the designer’s portfolio. The disadvantage is that you’re also getting the same look as their last client.  And the one before that, and so on.  It’s a used design.

At Sherman Architects, we pursue the opposite approach. Taking our cues from the needs of our clients, the specifics of the site, and the unique opportunities of each building, we create a custom design every time.  This means every project looks different, and our designs often include things never seen before. 

It’s a method that demands more thought and imagination from us (not to mention a leap of faith from our clients), but we think the results speak for themselves.  Instead of showcasing our own egos, our designs feel as though they have always belonged to their sites.  We design extraordinary spaces that feel right and inevitable, that inspire sighs of contentment:  “Ahh, now this is how this room was always meant to be!”

We love historic buildings, but we’re not strict preservationists.  We’re modernists and, if anything, we’re devoted to clean lines, precise function, and dynamic compositions.  To marry old and new, some designers shoot for a transitional style that falls somewhere between historic and modern styles. But the results feel watered down to us. Instead, we aim to preserve the vibrancy of both styles. In our experience, minimalist details are more exciting when contrasted with period ornament.