“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.

Office Dogs

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

" People are simply blown away by this building - the intentionality and attention to detail in the design and the incredible quality of the construction. The professionalism, talent, and dedication of the DBVW team has played a huge role in the success of this project. We are deeply grateful."

Ron Dalgliesh, Assistant Head of School for Institutional Affairs, Moses Brown School

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" They are loyal and devoted architects, which cannot be undervalued."

Dorcas Grigg-Saito, Former CEO, Lowell Community Health Center

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" Early on, DBVW took the time to ensure a thorough understanding of our work, our aspirations, concerns and expectations for the new space. They converted this understanding into excellent early designs and then worked diligently and responsively to modify the designs according to new information."

Karen Sibley, Brown University, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Dean, School of Professional Studies

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" DBVW Architects is a responsive, dedicated and creative firm that you can count on to stand by their work for years to come. They produce inspiring designs that are also practical and highly functional. And they are a pleasure to work with. Very hard to find a better combination!"

Lucie Searle, Real Estate Development, AS220

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" ... I could not be more pleased with the creativity, effectiveness, and thoughtful design and oversight provided by the firm... They not only respected the historic nature of this Town, they also designed a facility that is a focal point of our downtown area."

Melissa Grabau Arrighi, Former Town Manager, Plymouth MA

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" We could not have chosen a more talented partner for creating a beautiful, functional building that reflects and integrates the historic nature of its surroundings."

Mary Beth Daigneault, Administrator, St. Clare-Newport

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2023
2022

DBVW volunteers with We Share Hope

2022

Rough Point Museum Site Visit

2021

Pierson Booher becomes a Partner in the firm

2021

Ed Cifune becomes an Associate Principal

2020

First Annual Gingerbread Design Competition

2020
2019
2019

DBVW celebrates its 25th Anniversary

2017

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk

2017

DBVW launches a newly designed responsive website

2016
2016

Firm name officially changes to DBVW Architects

2016

Holiday Ugly Sweater Potluck Party

2015

Team mentoring

2014

Summer Picnic on Narragansett Bay

2014

Canstruction team builds their scenic Newport Bridge sculpture

2013

Sean Redfern becomes an Associate Principal

2013
2012

"New England CAN Bake" Canstruction Build

2011
2011

Holiday Party

2010

Steve Durkee's farewell party

2009
2008
2007
2007

Office-warming party at 111 Chestnut Street

2007

The firm moves to its new home in the Jewelry District - a historic building originally designed as a supply company for jewelry and general industrial needs

2006

During the time the office is located at 300 West Exchange Street, the staff size grows to over 30 employees

2006
2005
2004
2004

The firm celebrates 10 years of business

2001

Staff and family baseball outing

2000

Firm name changes from Durkee & Brown Architects to Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels Architects

2000

Staff and family ski trip

1999

The annual "circus animal parade" past our office on West Exchange Street

1998

Michael Viveiros (another former RISD classmate) and Martha Werenfels (formerly the Historical Architect with the State Historic Preservation Office) become Partners in the firm

1997

The firm grows to 10 employees

1994
1994

Durkee & Brown Architects is founded in 1994, when Steve Durkee and his former RISD classmate, Doug Brown, are awarded a large scattered-site, adaptive re-use affordable housing project for the Woonsocket Neighborhood Development Corporation

Selected Awards

2024

Rhody Award for Historic Preservation

Rosecliff

2024

Ace Mentor Program Outstanding Firm Award

DBVW Architects

2023

Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) Design Award

2023

AIA Rhode Island Award for Historic Preservation

2023

AIA Rhode Island Award for Commercial Architecture: K-12

2023

AIA Rhode Island Award for Multi-Family

2023

New England AIA Components Emerging Professional Friendly Firm

DBVW Architects

2023

Rhody Award for Historic Preservation

2022

Faith & Form Award for Religious Architecture: Restoration

2022

AIA Rhode Island Citation Award for Historic Preservation

2022

AIA Rhode Island Award for Architecture of Urban Places & Spaces: Community Impact

2022

AIA Rhode Island Award for Architecture of Rehabilitation

2022

AIA Connecticut Excellence Award for Commercial, Industrial, Educational, and Multi- Family Residential Design (over 25,000 sf)

2022

SCUP Excellence in Planning for a District or Campus Component

2022

Rhody Award for Historic Preservation

2022

Preservation Massachusetts Mayor Thomas M. Menino Legacy Award

2022

Doris Duke Preservation Award

Mid Cliff (Exterior Restoration)

2021

Outstanding Smart Growth Projects

2020

AIA Rhode Island Award for Commercial Architecture: Institutional

2020

AIA Rhode Island Award for Residential Design

2020

Doris Duke Preservation Award

2020

SCUP Honor Award

2019

Providence Preservation Society Award

2019

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award

2019

BSA Education Facilities Design Award

2019

Rhody Award

2019

Preservation Massachusetts Thomas M. Menino Award

2019

Preservation Massachusetts Paul E. Tsongas Award

2019

Outstanding Smart Growth Projects

2018

AIA Rhode Island Honor Award

2018

AIA Rhode Island Award for Residential Design

2018

Engineering News-Record (ENR) Award Best Healthcare Project

2018

Rhody Award for Historic Preservation

2018

Vanguard Award for Major Rehabilitation of Historic Structure into Affordable Rental Housing

2017

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award for Interiors

2017

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award for Educational/Institutional

2017

AIA Rhode Island Citation Award for Adaptive Reuse

2017

AIA Rhode Island People’s Choice Award

2017

AIA Rhode Island People’s Choice Award

2017

Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award

Onata 74

2017

Rhody Award for Historic Preservation

2017

Providence Preservation Society Award for Historic Preservation

2017

RI Monthly Award

2017

Outstanding Smart Growth Projects

2017

Outstanding Smart Growth Projects

2017

Excellence in Construction Awards

2016

Tsongas Award “Women in Preservation”

Martha Werenfels, AIA, LEED AP

2016

Doris Duke Preservation Award

2015

Preservation Massachusetts Paul E. Tsongas Award

Howard Building, Pittsfield, MA

2015

Preservation Massachusetts Paul E. Tsongas Award

2014

National Community of Quality Award - Outstanding Turnaround of a Troubled Property

2014

AIA Rhode Island Honor Award

2014

Historic Preservation Award

2014

PPS Historic Preservation Award

Biltmore Garage

2014

RI Monthly Award

2013

New England Community of Quality Award - Outstanding Turnaround of a Troubled Property

2013

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award

2013

RI Monthly Award

2013

RI Monthly Award

2013

Rhody Award for Historic Preservation

2013

Excellence in Historic Preservation, Lowell National Historic Park

2013

Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award

2013

MHIC Award for Excellence

2012

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award for Adaptive Reuse

Mercantile Block for AS220

2012

AIA New England Merit Award

2012

Preservation Massachusetts Paul E. Tsongas Award

2012

Preservation Massachusetts Paul E. Tsongas Award

2012

Preservation Massachusetts Paul E. Tsongas Award

2012

PPS Award for Rehabilitation and Neighborhood Revitalization

2012

Massachusetts Historical Commission, Adaptive Reuse, Rehabilitation & Restoration Award

2012

GrowSmart RI Award

The Mercantile Block

2012

GrowSmart RI Award

2012

AIA/RI Merit Award

2011

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive & Historic Restoration Award

2011

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse Award

Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence

2011

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse & Historic Restoration Award

AS220 at the Mercantile Block

2010

Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission Preservation Award

2010

Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission “Preservation is Green” Award

2010

AIA Rhode Island Honor Award for Interiors

2009

AIA Rhode Island Honor Award

2009

J. Timothy Anderson Awards for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation Finalist, Best Historic Rehabilitation Utilizing New Markets Tax Credits

2009

Preservation Massachusetts Inaugural Robert H. Kuehn, Jr. Award

2008

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse Award

Calender Mills

2008

Providence Preservation Society Award for Continued Excellence in Historic Preservation

DBVW Architects

2008

National Trust for Historic Preservation, Honor Award

2008

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award

AS220 at the Dreyfus

2008

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award

Calender Mills

2008

ABC Massachusetts Chapter Excellence in Construction Award

2008

National Finalist: National Housing and Rehabilitation Assoc. J. Timothy Anderson Award

2008

National Finalist: National Housing and Rehabilitation Assoc. J. Timothy Anderson Award

AS220 at the Dreyfus

2007

Providence Preservation Society Institutional Restoration Award

AS220 at the Dreyfus

2007

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award

2006

Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission Preservation Award

2006

“Top 10 Loft Projects in the Country,” Urban Land Institute Magazine, May 2006

Westminster Lofts

2006

Congress of New Urbanism, New England Chapter, Project Award

Westminster Lofts

2006

Preserve Rhode Island Merit Award

Pell Chafee Performance Center

2006

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award

2006

Providence Preservation Society Neighborhood Revitalization Award

Potters Avenue Revitalization

2006

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse Award

Pearl Street Lofts

2006

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse / Neighborhood Revitalization Award

AS220 Complex

2006

Providence Preservation Society Neighborhood Revitalization Award

2006

Induction into Providence Preservation Society’s “Hall of Fame”

DBVW Architects

2005

Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission Preservation Award

Adelaide Avenue Neighborhood Revitalization

2005

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse Award

2005

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse Award

2005

Preserve Rhode Island Neighborhood Revitalization Award

2005

Preserve Rhode Island Merit Award

2005

Preserve Rhode Island Neighborhood Revitalization Award

2005

National Housing and Rehabilitation Assoc. J. Timothy Anderson Award, Large Market-Rate Residential

2005

National Finalist: National Housing and Rehabilitation Assoc. J. Timothy Anderson Award

2005

National Finalist: National Housing and Rehabilitation Assoc. J. Timothy Anderson Award

Burgess O’Gorman Buildings

2005

Boston Society of Architects’ John M. Clancy Award for Socially Responsible Housing

Friendship-Pine Revitalization

2005

Friendship-Pine Revitalization

2005

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award

2005

AIA Rhode Island Honor Award

2004

Providence Preservation Society Neighborhood Revitalization Award

2004

Providence Preservation Society Neighborhood Revitalization Award

Burgess O’Gorman Building

2004

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse Award

755 Westminster Street Lofts

2004

National Community Development Association HOME Program Award

2003

Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission Preservation Award

Corliss-Bracket House, Brown University

2003

Providence Preservation Society Public Policy Award

2003

Providence Preservation Society Neighborhood Revitalization Award

William H. Dyer House

2003

Providence Preservation Society Institutional Rehab/Restoration Award

Corliss-Bracket House, Brown University

2003

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse Award

Alice Building

2002

Providence Preservation Society Neighborhood Revitalization Award

Friendship-Pine Revitalization

2002

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse Award

Earle Building

2002

National Trust for Historic Preservation, Honor Award

2002

AIA New England Design Award

Friendship-Pine/Providence-Tanner Revitalizations

2001

AIA Rhode Island Merit Award

Martina & Company

2001

AIA Rhode Island Citation

2001

RI Monthly Gold Design Award for Commercial Construction/Renovation

2001

Providence Preservation Society Neighborhood Revitalization Award

Stephen’s Hall

2000

AIA Rhode Island Design Award

1999

RI Monthly Gold Design Award for Commercial Interior Design

Martina & Company

1999

Providence Preservation Society Adaptive Reuse Award

The Packard Building

1998

Providence Preservation Society Honor Award

Providence-Tanner Revitalization

1998

AIA Rhode Island Design Award

Providence-Tanner Revitalization

1997

AIA New England Design Award

1996

AIA Rhode Island Design Award

1994

AIA Rhode Island Honor Award for Residential New Construction

Harrison Street Townhouses

1991

AIA New England Design Award

Harrison Street Townhouses

1990

Providence Preservation Society Design Award

Harrison Street Townhouses

1990

AIA Rhode Island Design Award

Harrison Street Townhouses

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