NEDC: Our Goals for 2023

Who are we?

NEDC = Architects Who Build?

Boston is one of the most innovative cities in the world and we embrace this. Above all we seek to deliver five-star service in an industry riddled with almosts, overruns and client dissatisfaction.?

We embrace the role of Architect as a Master Builder and offer our clients the entire experience of a major home remodel delivered on a single platform: from conceptual design through architectural planning and artisan build.?

This in itself is different.?

So while we craft the built environment - our trade is actually in people and the creation of practical, aesthetic and sustainable spaces in which they and their families can create, grow and flourish into the future.?

At NEDC we are Boston’s highest-rated luxury Architectural Design Build firm with a focus on sustainable home design.?

I wanted to share with you our goals for this year, clearly stated as follows:?

1. DELIVER EXCELLENT SERVICE TO OUR CLIENTS?

?This is a value woven into NEDC’s mission to Lift Spirits with Spaces and we have been doing so each year since 2005.? Our team is a creative synthesis of Architects, Designers and Artisan Builders.? We are not perfect – but we strive to be.? Our internal motto is to “take responsibility and do what’s right” and we mean so genuinely.? While this could be considered clieche, we strive for perfection and seek to truly change lives for generations with our designs, homes and the relationships we establish with our clients.?

We have an extensive client survey process throughout the design, planning and execution phases of our service as well as a three-year warranty on our projects once completed.? Additionally, we prioritize communication—both within NEDC and as an organization to and from our clients.?

Seeking a major home remodel in Boston is a meaningful part of life and we appreciate the trust placed in us by each client we take on.? We want this creative journey to truly be a joy and we work to make it so!?

A client’s review of an NEDC custom whole-home design and remodel in Cambridge, MA:?

FIVE STARS:?

“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 – Cambridge, MA?

Here is another NEDC Architectural Design Build client from Chestnut Hill, Mass.

2. CHAMPION SUSTAINABLE HOME DESIGN??

?We aim to champion sustainable home design across Boston and New England.?

This is important to us as people, as designers, as creatives---and as parents who care about the future planet our children will be inhabiting and dealing with.?

We are passionate about sustainable design and creating the built environment with the well-being and future of our earth as a guiding design principle.??

2023 will see the completion of one of Boston’s first ever custom Passive House Remodel in Somerville Mass.? It is a beautiful and truly unique home we have designed and built.?? It is a meaningful conversion of an existing two-family home into a single-family custom Passive House with a nearly zero carbon footprint.?

The result is a strikingly unique home which is healthier for both its inhabitants and the world at large.?

Our aim is to inspire the increased adoption of this design and build methodology across Boston, New England and the nation.??

A Passive House is the Tesla of homes – the gold standard in the eco homes of today requiring no heating or air conditioning and offering a nearly zero carbon footprint.? If Elon Musk had a passion for homes rather than EVs, we think it would be along these lines.?

At NEDC we are certified to both design and build Passive Houses in Massachusetts and are passionate advocates of this amazing approach to sustainable home design.?

If not familiar with the term—you may be asking yourself what is a Passive House????

This short video takes one through the basics of a Passive House and its advantages.?

This article gives a bit more insight into the client benefits of a Passive House in Boston.

3. UNITE THE BUILT INDUSTRY THROUGH ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BUILD??

The industry creating the built environment tends to be fragmented—at times generating passionate (and valid) complaints from the clients whom it is meant to serve.?

And the truth is – this industry is fragmented.? Many times Architects will design plans far beyond client budget constraints, and this only comes to light after the plans are finished and bid out to multiple contractors.?

Now the client is out $100,000 and stuck with plans too expensive to build.?

This is unpractical to say the least and a massive disservice.? Unfortunately it is all too common.?

At NEDC, we are seeking to change this.?

We have many wonderful clients who are thought leaders and professionals across a variety of fields — medical, biotech, business, sports and the creative arts.? We work with each client from concept to completion to design and craft their dream home.? In some instances, this is the creation of a custom home from scratch--or more often as a significant remodel to an existing home.?

We focus on sustainable design and a full-service platform honoring the legacy of the Architect as Master Builder.?

A return to the natural process of creating the built environment – used for thousands of years across earth to create monuments to mankind's sound creativity and constructive brilliance.???

If you are a Boston homeowner or potential homeowner considering a major home remodel, it can be quite confusing as to what professional one should seek.? Do you need an architect?? A contractor?? What about an interior designer??

All of the above?? None of the above?? It’s a fragmented and confusing landscape in these times and candidly one can waste significant time and money by approaching this process without understanding its background and natural course.?

There is a significant amount of false and erroneous information on the subject.?

First of all, let’s define a basic term here: in truth what is an “Architect.”?

“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 3,000 BC.?

?THE ARCHITECT’S TRUE HERITAGE IS THAT OF MASTER BUILDER—A LEGACY NEARLY LOST IN TODAY’S INDUSTRY.?

What is Architectural Design Build??

There are two primary approaches to a major home design and remodel. While this can be made very complex as a subject, the natural creative process is fundamentally simple. I will cover both here:?

Design-Bid-Build is the process that has been introduced over the past 150 years or so whereby you as the client directly hire an architect to draft plans and design your project — to then have it bid out to multiple contractors seeking to win the bid and perform the project. This approach has been generalized as mainstream over the past decades and sold to homeowners, often creating client stress and potential loss of both client funds and time. This approach has many liabilities for the client due in no small part to the fragmented spheres of responsibilities which this system and method creates.?

There is no single person or entity fully accountable to the client for the entire project’s success.?

This single factor alone can create a host of problems for the client.?

By default the client is ultimately responsible for both Architect and Builder as well as the ultimate success of the project. Thus one can have impractical and expensive design work, impractical planning, numerous change orders, shoddy craftsmanship, and projects which are off timeline and over budget. In the end, the client can be left damaged. You or a family member or friend may have experienced this in the past. We have many clients come to us after poor experiences with this approach.?

Architectural Design-Build (also Design Build) is the natural approach to creation of the built environment and has been used for thousands of years to create many of the beautiful structures of earth. Architectural Design Build is the route of choice if one desires to save on time and money, reduce stress, and eliminate a fragmented sense of project responsibility in the people working for you.?

Architectural Design Build is a model that stresses single-source accountability with the creative design, planning, and remodel executed start to finish by one firm.?

Architectural Design-Build in Boston is currently being turned to by professionals, families, and individuals as the cutting edge of efficiency, aesthetics, practicality, and accountability when it comes to designing and remodeling a home. This approach packages architectural design and interior design services with artisan-level building and remodeling services. This natural synthesis makes for a simple, efficient, and accountable creative process followed by a streamlined and responsible build phase, reducing cost, time of execution, and client stress throughout. With the Architectural Design Build approach, the client is dealing solely with one fully accountable firm.?

New England Design and Construction specializes in Architectural Design Build with a specific focus on sustainable luxury homes. We are extremely mindful of environmental impact and passionate about project efficiency and client comfort.?

To show this clearly, we produced this short film last year:?

4. FOSTER COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH BOSTON’S LEADING PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELDS OF REAL ESTATE, DESIGN AND THE ARTS.??

?We love people--and we especially love creative people!???

There is a natural synergy between Architectural Design Build and the creative arts, real estate, and interior design.?

We are constantly seeking collaboration with artists, designers and those in the real estate industry with whom our services naturally dovetail in a seamless manner .?

We are happy to empower and will often do a spotlight piece on an artist, designer or real estate professional we respect and admire!?

We are proud to work closely with a number of Boston’s top names in luxury real estate, the fine arts and interior design on collaborative projects for clients.?

Each project is empowering – a truly special creative endeavor crafted to exact client needs.?

We are constantly expanding, meeting new people and forging relationships which are beneficial to all.? There’s something beautiful about collaborating with an interior designer or real estate professional to create a seamless, aesthetic and memorable experience for a mutual client.?

Here are a few pieces we’ve done to showcase some of our local favorites:

Jamie Grossman - MGS Group

Sharin Schober - Boston Fine Artist

5. HELP THE BOSTON COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.??

?We love Boston and its people—and we love to help.?

Unconditionally—simply because we can.?

We are honored to work with meaningful leaders and teams across a variety of sectors, from the G-Code House (www.thegcodehouse ) to the Room to Dream Foundation (www.roomtodreamfoundation.org ).?

We look forward to doing signficant and meaningful community work across Boston in 2023!?

Here are some of the recent lives we’ve been able to touch and better during these past several years:?

Ellie's Story - Wayland, Mass.

Helping our community during Covid:

NEDC – AREAS WE SERVE WITH ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BUILD SERVICES:?

?We offer full service Architectural Design Build to the following areas of Boston:?

Arlington, Beacon Hill, Bedford, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dedham, Dorchester, Dorchester Center, Jamaica Plain, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Milton, Needham, Needham Heights, Newton, Newton Upper Falls, Newtonville, Norwood, Quincy, Roslindale, Somerville, South Boston, Swampscott, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, Wellesley Hills, West Roxbury, Westwood, Winchester, Allston, Chestnut Hill, Newton Center, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Waban, West Newton, Brighton, Dover, East Boston, Framingham, Natick, and Back Bay.?

(And any other town’s in Boston’s Metrowest that begins with a “W” in case we’ve forgotten any :)?

Bring us your thoughts and dreams – we would love to hear from you!?

?

Love,?

David?

e. [email protected] ?

m. 617 474 0309?

NEDC Boston Home Remodeling Cost Guide - Free Download: