About

Our Story

Design catalyzes change. Through design, raw space becomes a vibrant workplace, an impressive lobby, a favorite restaurant, or a familiar retailer. We believe these everyday spaces should be inspiring and useful; they are the backdrop to our daily lives and shared experiences. Each project presents us with this opportunity.

Our Process

Visioning

Visioning is a deep-dive into your company processes, workflow, culture and brand strategy, as well as an exploration of your organizational future.

Once we understand where you're headed, we prepare a framework that guides future design decisions. This process includes:

Spatial and experiential brand strategy
Identification of challenges and opportunities
Inspirational imagery
Conceptual materials

Orientation

Through meetings, questionnaires, inventory, and observation, we gather detail on your qualitative and quantitative needs.

While Visioning is an investigation into who you will be as an organization in the new space, Orientation is an investigation into exactly who you are in your current space and how the two are intertwined. Our investigation includes:

Interviews with a cross-section of your organization
Inventory of existing spaces and furniture
Data analysis
Executive summary presentation

Programming

Taking the data gathered in Visioning and Orientation we quantify and analyze the results into program requirements for your new space.

An accurate program is the foundation of a great design. This phase includes:

Translation of data gathered from Visioning and Orientation into quantifiable data

Development of future space needs based upon your company's strategic plan

Production of a final comprehensive "program" that outlines the spatial, functional, and cultural goals of the organization.

Fit Planning

During the Fit Planning process we will produce plans to confirm that your program works in the proposed space or spaces.

Buildings are not a "one-size-fits-all" proposition. Your specific requirements may fit well in 10,000 square feet in one building, but may not work well in 10,000 square feet in another building. The Fit Planning process allows us to determine this and propose tweaks to the program to make sure any spaces being investigated are appropriate for your needs. Fit Planning includes:

Production of plan layouts based upon your specific program
Identification of basic departmental adjacency or stacking plans
Development of programatic checklist
Comparison of fit in various properties, if relevant

Schematic Design

This is where the fun begins. Once a location has been finalized, whether it be through a simple Fit Planning process or a comprehensive building search, we will begin to really design.

The Schematic Design phase explores design concepts and seamlessly integrates these with the program and the proposed site. In addition to looking at these design concepts in drawing form, we will begin the exploration of materials and finishes. The following is involved in this phase:

Sketching of initial design iteration plans
Development of formal and spatial concepts
Production of preliminary scope narrative for budgeting purposes
Development of material and finish palettes

Design Development

Design Development proceeds once you have committed to a schematic approach to the design. This is the phase in which the Schematic Design is fleshed out.

Using the Schematic Design documents, we will begin to further plans, elevations, sections, and important details of the design that support the overall concepts. This phase begins the actual production of drawings that will eventually become the construction documents. It is at this point in the process that we begin more in-depth coordination with sub-consultants. In Design Development we will provide:

Production of preliminary demolition, construction, power/tel/data, ceiling and finish plans
Development of key elevations and details
Coordination with lighting, HVAC, fire protection, and audio/visual and any other consultants involved in the project
Preparation of final Design Development drawings and specifications including preliminary engineering for pricing

Construction Documentation

We have listened and learned about who you are and who you want to be. We have determined your needs and confirmed you will fit in your space. We have developed design ideas that support all of these needs and desires. It is time to start the construction documents.

This is when we produce the drawings and specification that the contractor will use to make all of our plans become reality. Using Revit/BIM technology, this phase will include:

Production of full architectural and interior design drawings – plans, sections, elevations, details, and schedules
Coordination of necessary reviews
Development of specifications (on-drawing or book format) to ensure top quality construction
Coordination with all vendors and sub-consultants to trouble-shoot prior to construction
Printing and distribution of all drawings and specifications for bidding and permitting

Bidding and Negotiation

We work closely with you and the entire project team to make sure that your project is on budget and that you are getting the highest quality space for that budget.

During the bidding and negotiations phase, we are your advocate. We ensure a competitive bidding process and advise you on decisions to be made. Bidding and Negotiations will include the following:

Identification of suitable general contractors
Development of necessary clarifications
Organization of pre-bid conference and walk-throughs
Assistance in negotiation of construction contract
Participation in general contractor interviews

Construction Administration

Construction is when it all begins to come together. This is an exciting time for everyone, but it's our job during this phase to make sure that the vision becomes reality.

We work closely with your entire construction team to ensure that the project proceeds on schedule and budget. This phase includes:

Attending weekly construction meetings with team
Touring the site weekly to ensure construction is proceeding as designed
Reviewing, responding, and logging submittals and RFI's
Reviewing potential change orders and advising you on next steps
Preparing and issuing a punchlist of incomplete or deficient construction items
Providing final as-built documents

Inspired by our past. Focused on our future.

Upon completion of his Master of Architecture degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, John C Dyer starts what will become Dyer Brown Architects.

After a stint at Kallman McKinnel & Wood Architects and the completion of his Master of Architecture degree from Harvard Graduate School of Design, Jeff Brown joins Dyer.

Dyer and Brown provides architectural design services for the the structures of the park including the ampitheatre, 5,000 underground parking structure, and museum.

Upon the completion of several significant projects, the two founding partners join forces to create Dyer Brown & Associates, Architects

Dyer Brown Architects designs the new Boston Children's Museum on Museum Wharf in the yet to be named "Seaport District".

The firm is engaged to design the full building renovation of the jewel-box 45 Milk building in Boston's Financial District.

The firm provides design services for the renovation of the Reebok World Headquarters at 100 Technology Drive in Stoughton, MA.

Dyer Brown designs the Bank of New England headquarters

Dyer Brown Architects is selected to renovate the iconic 1912 World Trade Center Boston at Commonwealth Pier.

Dyer Brown is engaged by Texaco to design their 275,000 SF headquarter in the newly completed Canary Wharf.

The law firm of Ropes & Gray engages the Dyer Brown design team to rethink their Boston workplace.

Dyer Brown designs the full building renovation of this seven story office building.

Brown Brothers Harriman engages Dyer Brown Architects as Project Architects for the design of their 410,000 SF Boston headquarters.

In its 46th year, Dyer Brown Architects unveils its bold new logo and website to reflect the spirit of the firm’s philosophy.

Dyer Brown opens a Southeast office based in Atlanta focusing on institutional, higher education, and workplace projects in order to better serve our national clients.