“When you visit DBVW Architects’ office, you immediately get a feel for what the firm is all about – openness, collaboration, family. It’s just a great group of people working together producing thoughtful, quality work.”
We design contemporary and modern architecture, we preserve existing and historic resources, and we love opportunities to creatively unite old with new. People know us for our eagerness to listen, to laugh, to get our hands dirty, and to put our noses to the grindstone. It is not uncommon to find us surveying at the top of scaffolding or measuring in a crawl space. We help our clients creatively solve challenges and make informed decisions at a comfortable pace by communicating simply, clearly, and effectively. Our goal is to help our clients enjoy the process as much as the architectural solution.
Doug brings a balanced, contextual perspective to design and project leadership. Since co-founding the firm in 1994, Doug has been working closely with both public and private-sector clients to help create responsible, forward thinking development in cities and towns throughout the Northeast. Doug’s experience with historic, low income, and new market tax credits has helped numerous important projects move forward and has solidified many long-term client relationships. His love of fishing consumes a great deal of his free time, as do his three sons, and you will often find them together on Narragansett Bay chasing striped bass.
Secret talent:
Doug makes killer sushi and bluefish pâté
True fact:
He met his wife in high school
Michael’s interest in modern cities, vernacular structures, industrial heritage and rural life has led him to many foreign countries and remote villages and informs much of his work. His enthusiasm for making vibrant places and appreciation for craftsmanship fuels his passion for designing new buildings and restoring historic ones. Whether designing a new highrise, performance center, academic space, church or community health center, Michael’s aesthetic reflects a commitment to simplicity and restraint that is celebrated through carefully-selected materials and solid details. Michael’s clients know him for his unyielding attention to detail and his overall commitment to their project’s success.
Where you’ll find Michael when he's not at the office:
In his woodshop making furniture and woodturning
Favorite vacation spot:
Sardinia
Martha is a nationally-recognized expert in the field of historic preservation. She has directed multiple phases of important preservation projects at some of the region’s most treasured landmark buildings. As an advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Martha served on a national Sustainability Task Force focused on strengthening the important relationship between sustainability and historic preservation. Martha serves on the boards of GrowSmart RI and the Historic Preservation Education Foundation. She is a Governor-appointed member of the Capital Center Commission, a member of the RIHPHC review board, and a past-President of AIA/Rhode Island. When Martha is not climbing up steeples or through abandoned buildings, she can be found playing tennis or kayaking on the Narragansett Bay.
Interesting fact:
Martha has dual citizenship in the United States and Switzerland
You may or may not be surprised that:
She is a two-time winner of the Women’s Statewide Squash Championship
With his passion for historic preservation and technical expertise, Pierson has led many of DBVW’s most important and complex preservation projects. During his time at DBVW, he has led project teams whose work has been recognized with local, state, national, and international design awards. His depth of knowledge and attention to detail make Pierson the ideal candidate to take on any preservation project. Pierson is a Governor-appointed Commissioner to the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, a Trustee of the Providence Preservation Society, and a member of the Diocese of Providence’s Capital Evaluation Committee. Additionally, he is an active member of the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Northeast Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology. Outside the office, you can find him enjoying the outdoors and exploring New England with his wife and young sons.
Fun fact:
Pierson has been to all 48 states in the continental U.S.
Most Treasured Piece of Advice:
Growing up, his father taught him that the best way to understand how something works is to take it apart and put it back together.
Ed has over twenty-five years of experience and is a natural fit for managing large, complex and fast-tracked projects. His clients know him for being highly accessible, knowledgeable, and capable. He dives into projects with a level of energy and enthusiasm that propels them successfully forward. Before coming to DBVW, Ed spent a decade managing large educational and public facilities projects, including both new construction and renovation of existing schools throughout New England. Since joining DBVW Architects in 2007, Ed has been working with municipalities across the Northeast to create schools, town halls, and affordable housing.
View from his childhood home in NJ:
NYC skyline
Favorite snack:
Cookies
Best surprise of his life:
Ed delivered one of his two children
Tami has over 20 years of architectural experience and advanced knowledge of Revit. In addition to being a key player on project teams and managing large teams of consultants, Tami is the firm’s Revit Manager. To say that she's a "go-getter" is an understatement! Tami exceeds expectations in and out of the office, and clients appreciate her can-do attitude. Interested in giving back to the community, Tami is a mentor and serves on the board of directors with the ACE Mentor Program of RI, a volunteer program geared towards exposing high school students to the architecture, construction, and engineering fields. Tami is a 2022-2023 cohort member at the Equity Leadership Initiative by the Rhode Island Foundation and a co-founder of the Rhode Island Minorities in Architecture & Design (RIMIAD).
Heritage:
Peruvian born but of Japanese descent
Don't:
Take away her snacks
Do:
Bring snacks before asking for a favor
Karissa has been an important member of the DBVW team for over fifteen years and has worked on numerous project types. She is a leader in both our multifamily residential and schools practices. With her experience working with non-profit housing developers to create affordable and market rate multi-family developments and helping school departments to reimagine their educational facilities, Karissa is often a go to team leader for these types of projects. When she joined the firm in 2006, her first assignment was working on the design of DBVW’s new offices; not an easy task when you consider the “client” was 30 architects and designers. Karissa’s known by clients for her dedication to each project, friendly attitude, and excellent communication skills.
Wanted to be an architect since:
Her first set of Legos...40 years later and she still plays with them
Hidden talent:
Can recite thousands of movie quotes and song lyrics
Holiday tradition:
Karissa bakes over a thousand cookies each December
Nealia joined DBVW as a Job Captain at the end of 2014. Since then, she has become an essential member of the DBVW historic preservation team serving as project manager for multiple complex projects at Yale University. She is a skilled, detail-oriented architect and also a pleasure to work with. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture degrees from Northeastern University. At the end of the workday, Nealia goes home to her husband, two kids, and her pup - a Puerto Rican street dog that they rescued and now can’t imagine life without!
Crazy idea/goal/dream:
To hike the Appalachian Trail
Sean has been with DBVW Architects for nearly 20 years. His laser-like focus on design detail and solid team management skills make him a natural leader and have earned him success with many of DBVW’s most complex projects. Sean’s experience ranges from higher education to multifamily housing to cultural to commercial design. No matter the project type, Sean’s clients can depend on him to manage the quality, schedule and budget to exacting standards. Sean is on the Board at Trinity Repertory Company and has served on several committees at The Gordon School. He enjoys time outside the office with his wife (who is also an architect) and son.
Childhood passion:
Fort-building
Best fort:
Underground structure with wall-to-wall carpeting
Whether serving as a Project Manager or contributing in the areas of code compliance, zoning regulations, specifications writing, or construction administration, Ashley brings a combination of dedication and exceptional technical expertise to our project teams. For 12 years prior to joining DBVW, Ashley focused on design for primary/secondary educational facilities and public buildings in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. With this substantial educational design experience, Ashley is a leader in the firm’s K-12 School practice and has become a leader within our senior living practice as well. He is a Massachusetts Certified Public Procurement Official (“MCPPO”) and regularly advises DBVW staff members on bidding and delivery of public projects in the Commonwealth.
Secret talent:
Scale diorama and scratchbuild modeler
Well-known within the collector community for:
Star Wars toys and action figures
Favorite holiday:
Christmas
Ben specializes in the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of existing structures with a focus on condition assessments and repair designs for buildings incorporating masonry, steel, concrete, and wood structures, and a variety of contemporary and historic building enclosure systems. Throughout his career, Ben has had the opportunity to work on a number of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as prominent structures managed by the National Park Service. Ben has a Master of Architecture and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Special connection to a DBVW project:
Got married in St. George's chapel
Rhode Island cred:
Spent a summer driving a Del's truck
Mike has a thorough understanding of the construction process, with an extensive background in envelope design, detailing, and the development of construction documents. At DBVW, Mike has served as Project Manager for many of the firm’s adaptive reuse and renovation projects. He is a leader in our healthcare practice, and brings a strong work ethic and practical eye to all of his projects. Outside the office, Mike’s love of the outdoors spans the seasons and includes hunting, fishing, paddling, and hiking, all of which he cannot do without a retriever by his side.
Guilty pleasure:
Small batch Kentucky Bourbon
Crazy idea:
To retire comfortably
Sara joined DBVW as an Interior Designer in the fall of 2013. She has over 20 years of experience in the industry, including several years designing interiors for an internationally recognized hospitality design firm and as a Principal and Owner of her own firm in Chicago. Whether working on a hospital, academic space, senior living development, historic building or single family residence, Sara has the ability to translate the client’s style and unique needs into her design. Sara has a daughter and a cat named Opus, who all live near the water and spend as much time outside as they can.
Connoisseur of:
Fish tacos
Future goal:
To sell everything and travel the country in an RV
Alexander Silva is the marketing and communications manager at DBVW, where he works closely with the principals on proposal development, strategic planning, and external communications. He also collaborates with the in-house graphic designer and photographer on marketing and public relations materials. Passionate about history since childhood, Alex serves on the Preservation Society of Fall River’s Board of Directors and the Community Preservation Committee in Fall River, MA.
Won:
A high school theater technical award for being a tree.
Had his first date with his wife:
Two blocks from the DBVW office.
Justine joins DBVW Architects after completing the graduate program at Roger Williams University, where she received her Master of Architecture degree as well as her Bachelors of Science in Architecture with a Minor in Urban Studies. Throughout her design education, she sought to gain a deep understanding of architecture’s ability to impact communities, and is excited to apply this passion to future projects. Originally from southern New Hampshire, Justine gained experience as an architectural intern in offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire before joining the DBVW team.
Has:
An adorable 9 month old golden retriever puppy named Riley
Favorite snack:
Ice cream (but not soft serve)
Will never:
Turn down a Marvel movie marathon
Tyler, a native Rhode Islander, brings to the DBVW team years of experience developing University and Independent School projects from schematic design through construction administration services. Tyler earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon. When not in the office you can find Tyler sailing the Narragansett Bay or skiing at Killington Mountain.
Hidden talent:
Tyler is scuba diving certified.
Side projects:
Built a woodfire pizza oven and his currently helping his dad to restore a post and beam barn in Vermont.
Side projects:
Tyler recently entered the ACT Public Art: Public Art Ideas Competition with his sister and won!
Benno brings decades of architectural and construction management experience to DBVW. His 30 years of experience has included residential and commercial preservation, affordable housing, and new construction. Benno recently worked on the 15-story Edge College Hill multi-family residential project in Providence, RI; the Hopedene mansion in Newport, RI; and, from the construction side, the restoration of the Brighton Municipal Courthouse in Boston, MA.
RI cred:
Used to be a professional oyster shucker.
Brian joined the DBVW team in 2016. His experience includes mixed-use, multifamily residential, and higher education design. He is interested in smart growth and healthy communities, and his work studying growth centers in Rhode Island has been honored with an APA RI Award. Brian’s Revit skills and knowledge of new construction and renovations have allowed him to make valuable contributions to many of our project teams. As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Brian has extensive experience working in a team environment and meeting deadlines under pressure.
Spent a summer:
Studying abroad in Florence
Formerly stationed in:
Germany for 2.5 years
As DBVW’s financial manager, Lisa oversees all of the firm’s accounting and fiscal activities. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Emmanuel College and an MBA with a Finance Concentration from Anna Maria College. Lisa has over fifteen years of financial management experience.
Spends her free time:
Cooking and spending time with her family.
Newest member of her family:
Ben, the sweet silver lab.
Christian joined DBVW after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture from UMass Amherst, and a Masters in Architecture from Roger Williams University. With his passion for community centered design, Christian has served as a key member of the project teams for the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and multiple projects at Yale University. A lifelong athlete, Christian enjoys volleyball, basketball, and skiing.
Can’t stop running into:
Adam Sandler
Next big trip:
Italy with his family
Susan is DBVW’s office coordinator, serving as the first point of contact for visitors to our firm. She implements and tracks office systems, manages correspondence, and keeps the office running smoothly. Susan comes to DBVW with a strong background in office administration, most recently as the Office Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator at the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy. A former resident of Vermont, she relocated to Providence in 2014 with her husband Michael and quickly became active in serving her community. A lifelong advocate of the arts, Susan has a degree in Studio Art and Art History from Connecticut College.
Goals for her garden:
Beautiful, bountiful and no more moving or adding garden beds
Proud to be:
Auntie to some amazing nieces and nephews
Heidi joined DBVW in 2008. She serves both as our in-house graphic designer and photographer, and also designs and manages our signage and environmental graphic projects. In her role as graphic designer, Heidi assists our in-house teams with presentation drawings, project boards, reports and marketing collateral. Heidi also provides graphic design services for DBVW’s clients, including logo design, fundraising collateral and commercial and residential leasing brochures. She has designed and managed signage projects for a range of clients, including healthcare, academic, and multifamily housing projects. In her role as in-house photographer, Heidi captures the design details big and small of DBVW's projects. In short, Heidi makes us look good!
Will someday own:
A cottage with a porch overlooking the ocean.
Wednesday night tradition since 2009:
Homemade pizza night with friends
George makes sure all of DBVW’s computer systems and related equipment are secure, updated, and running properly – an important job with a staff of over 30 deadline-focused people running design software and memory intensive graphics applications. George’s background at the US Military Academy at West Point, and as a helicopter pilot and platoon leader in the Army, gives him adequate experience to keep DBVW running smoothly. He studied general Engineering at the US Military Academy and has a M.S. in Foundations of Education from Troy State University.
Outside the office, George enjoys:
Homesteading with his wife on their five-acre farm
Tia joins the DBVW team with a Master of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design and a bachelor’s degree in interior design from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. Tia grew up in Tipp City, Ohio, and has held a number of architectural and interior internships, working in offices in Boston, Seattle, Houston, and Chicago, before moving to Providence. With a Certificate of Collegiate Teaching in Art + Design, Tia has held various teaching roles such as graduate teaching assistant and a Youth Continuing Education Instructor in Interior Design at RISD. Her hobbies include glasswork, jewelry-making, metalsmithing, baking, backpacking, running, and biking with the Providence Bike Jam.
Has:
A 15-year-old pet turtle (red-eared slider) named Scooter.
One of her first completed projects:
The hotel where Season 17 of the Bachelorette was later filmed.
Because of the University of Cincinnati’s co-op program:
Moved every other semester and lived in 12 different apartments across four different states during undergraduate studies.
Robert Monahan joins DBVW Architects after years of experience as an architectural designer in Rhode Island where he developed a passion for sustainable and innovative architecture that can shape impactful and functional environments. Robert has a Master of Architecture and an Advanced Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Roger Williams University. He’s contributed to the design and execution of commercial and retail spaces for a diverse range of clients and projects. In his spare time, Robert’s volunteered as a Rhode Island Tree Steward planting trees around the state.
Is a beekeeper:
With eight hives (and counting) in his care
Grew:
60 tomato plants in his garden
Enjoys creating with:
3D printing to ceramics to woodworking
Pedro joined DBVW while pursuing his Masters in Architecture at Roger Williams University and upon graduation joined the firm full-time. While enrolled at RWU, Pedro won the 25th Annual ASC Regional design-build competition and the International IFAI Fabric Structures Student Design Competition. At DBVW, Pedro has contributed to several project teams including Yale University’s Bingham Hall. Thoughtful and studious, Pedro finds listening to Spanish music helps when on deadline.
Born in:
Puerto Rico
Dedicated fan of:
Boston Celtics
In my free time:
I like to cook and experiment with new recipes and ideas.
Emma has seven years of experience with a focus on academic and hospitality projects. She received her Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture from Roger Williams University. Emma brings to the DBVW team an enthusiasm for educational design, specifically early childhood education. Since joining DBVW, Emma has been working on the Middletown Public Schools project.
Favorite Vacation spot:
Emma and her extended family have been vacationing in Cape May, NJ for the past 20 years.
Hometown:
Emma grew up in Red Hook, NY, a small town in the Hudson Valley area. One of Emma’s first jobs was working at the local county fair!
In her spare time:
Emma is an AIA Rhode Island Chapter board member, and a co-chair of the Honor and Design Awards Committee.
A history and “old stuff” enthusiast, Miranda is part of DBVW’s Historic Preservation team. Her first day on the job was on-site at Yale University, and she continues to play an integral role on multiple preservation projects for the university. Miranda earned her Bachelor degree in Architectural Studies with a minor in Historic Preservation at Kent State University. A recent transplant from Buffalo, New York, Miranda holds an unpopular opinion in the office that we need more snow.
Bucket List:
To see all the National Parks in the United States
Daydreaming of:
Hiking
Kejon came to DBVW after graduating with a Masters in Architecture from Roger Williams University. In addition to the accolades received at RWU, Kejon earned the “Stanley G. Kennedy Architectural Award” from the Institute of Bermuda Architects and the “Best in Technology – Construction Management” honor from New Institute of Technology. Kejon was drawn to DBVW because of the firm’s commitment to preserving cultural and natural resources. Since joining DBVW, Kejon has been contributing to several project teams, including a residential design for a historic Carriage House and a call center for United Natural Foods Inc. His positive attitude and work ethic are appreciated by everyone he works with, and his insight and talent have not gone unnoticed. Kejon originally hails from Bermuda and can be found with his headphones on, listening to Soca and/or Dubstep music when he needs to focus in on a task.
Notable fact:
Kejon has been in a bowling league since he was 10 years old
On weekends, you’ll find him:
Watching Barclays Premier League Football, supporting his beloved Manchester United team
Born and Raised:
On the tiny island of Bermuda
Jen joins DBVW as a Senior Project Manager, bringing over 15 years of experience in planning, designing and constructing projects for a range of clients. Originally from upstate New York, Jen currently lives in Providence with her husband, their German Shepherd, and four chickens. She earned a Master of Architecture from Rhode Island School of Design as well as a Bachelor of Science from Long Island University. Jen is a past president of the AIA Rhode Island chapter and previously served on the AIA RI Design Committee. Her favorite pastime is watching live music and enjoys volunteering for Habitat For Humanity.
Used to:
Work security at concerts
Travels to:
A new city each year to celebrate New Years
Once was:
A neuroscientist
Chris joins the DBVW team with over 20 years of experience providing design build services for residential clients. Having spent his early career as a carpenter, Chris has an deep appreciation and knowledge of the construction process. Chris received his Bachelor of Architecture from Roger Williams University and has a passion for thoughtful, user centered, residential design. Since joining DBVW, Chris has been working on multi-family residential projects in Providence, RI and Provincetown, MA.
You might not know:
Chris’ first house was a decommissioned fire station from 1902 that cost less than most cars and had no water, electricity, or sewer.
In his spare time:
Chris is a photography enthusiast with work that has been exhibited in magazines, catalogs, advertisements, and private sales.
You may or may not be surprised that:
Chris was 16 years old when he saw the ocean for the first time!
Moises brings to DVBW his love for adaptive re-use and historic preservation. He received his Master of Architecture and Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation at Roger Williams University. Moises also holds a Master of Interior Architecture from Florida International University and was an active member of the Alpha Rho Chi architecture fraternity. Since joining DBVW, he has been working on the Eagle Mill Redevelopment project and the historic North Kingstown Town Hall renovation.
Spends his free time:
Crafting artistic sculptures out of wire mesh. He once made five different Dragon sculptures for a school project.
Secret Passion:
Greek Mythology
Katie comes to DBVW with 20 years of experience with a focus on institutional, affordable multifamily housing, and adaptive reuse projects. Katie’s greatest satisfaction is seeing a project move from a design concept on paper to a fully-realized built structure for others to use and enjoy. She is currently working on a project at Yale University and the Button Hole Driving Range in Providence.
Spends her free time:
Taking on new hobbies that involve being creative and hands-on. Her current love is knitting.
On weekends, you’ll find her:
Taking daytrips with her two kids to new destinations.
Interesting fact:
Katie once bought an old fire house, collaboratively with two other architects, and turned it into a two unit condo, which she then lived in for 10 years.
Matthew brings a keen design eye and technical sophistication to his architectural illustrations. He joined DBVW in 2010 to help our clients and staff visualize projects through 3D computer visualization. These renderings are an invaluable tool for moving projects forward during predevelopment phases, fundraising efforts, and for building community support in public forums. In addition to his advanced digital illustration skills, Matthew has a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Miami and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Matthew is a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators and has won awards for his rendering work.
Spends his spare time:
Out by the BBQ pit perfecting his skills for the next local BBQ competition
Daddy to:
Three darling little girls
Famous for:
Winning Google’s International Style Builder Competition in 2008 with his "Pencil on Graph Paper" technique
Office Dogs
Ollie Hughes
Part Time Office Dog
Ollie has been in the DBVW office since he was 8 weeks old, and is probably the most photographed office dog yet. He loves to fetch balls and has even learned to return them! He has a diner in Cumberland named after him, three books published about him, and you can even follow him on Instagram!
Follow Ollie on Instagram:
@barkchitect
Bailey Rados
Part Time Office Dog
Bailey was adopted by her humans in June 2018. She is a very friendly pup and loves getting pets from everyone. In the office, you can usually find Bailey sleeping under her work buddy’s desk. She is a Certified Professional Snuggler (CPS) and enjoys going on camping and hiking adventures. If you see Bailey in the office, make sure to give her your hand and ask for a “howdy-do” for the goodest handshake.
We provide full-service architectural and interior design for projects of all scopes and scales.
Architecture and Interior Design
- Design Services
- Feasibility Studies
- Space Planning
- Tenant Fit Outs
- Sustainable Design
- Construction Administration
- Furniture Selection
Historic Preservation
- Landmark Restoration
- Adaptive Re-Use Studies
- Historic Tax Credit Projects
- Historic Building Assessments
- Phasing Plans
Planning
- Programming
- Feasibility Studies
- Conceptual Design Studies
- Campus and Facility Planning
- Master Planning
- Zoning Analysis
Graphics and Branding
- Signage and Wayfinding
- Graphic Design
- Marketing and Fundraising Support
- Photography
- Architectural Rendering
- Animations