May 2025
Building Community Through Public Spaces
At DBVW Architects, we are proud to partner with municipalities to design civic buildings that support communities, reflect local character, and address evolving public needs. Our work in Massachusetts and Rhode Island demonstrates this commitment through the thoughtful planning and design of city/town halls, senior and community centers, and consolidated municipal complexes. Each project—from restoring Providence's historic City Hall to Avon’s new Municipal Complex—has been carefully shaped by community input, thoughtful planning, and a deep respect for architectural context. Together, these designs represent our continued dedication to creating welcoming, functional, and enduring civic spaces.
Norton Town Hall
The Town of Norton, MA, is a lovely, historic community with a population of over 19,000 people. After completing two studies for site selection, programming, and feasibility, DBVW was hired to provide full architectural services for a new, two-story, 24,000 square foot facility. Located just outside the Norton Center Historic District, the new Town Hall is designed to fit comfortably within its historic context, while simultaneously creating vibrant new space for the community.
Norton Senior & Community Support Center
DBVW recently completed a new facility to house the Norton Senior and Community Support Center. Designed in the New England vernacular, the 12,000 square foot facility features a large multi-purpose room with a commercial kitchen, a front porch and café, and rooms for wellness, activities, and arts and crafts. The multi-purpose room includes a terrace overlooking a clearing with a wooded area beyond where a nature trail will lead to the beautiful Norton Reservoir.
Avon Municipal Complex
In 2021, DBVW was engaged by the Town of Avon, MA, to prepare a feasibility study for Town Hall, the Council on Aging, and the Civic/Recreation Center. The work included an assessment of existing conditions of both the Town Hall and Council on Aging, program development, site selection study, conceptual design options, and cost estimating related to renovation of existing facilities or complete replacement. In 2023, due to changes within the town, DBVW was re-engaged to further study the town’s needs and potential options for a new building. The new work included another site selection study, programming update, and development of new conceptual designs. In May 2024, the Town voted to move forward with design services for a new consolidated municipal building, with an area of approximately 23,000 square feet to accommodate town hall offices, parks and recreation, Council on Aging, civic center, and school administration. The new building will be located on donated land, diagonally across the street from the existing facility in the center of town, adjacent to the police station and recreation fields.
Providence City Hall
DBVW is currently working with the City of Providence on an exterior restoration at Providence’s historic City Hall. Originally designed by architect Samuel Thayer, Providence City Hall is an enduring example of civic architecture in the French Second Empire style, with its distinctive mansard roof and dome clad in slate with elaborate decorative metal detailing. This multi-phased exterior restoration will address long-term infiltration issues, while preserving the original character of this important civic building.
