Building on the foundations of context, history, and culture, we design innovative architecture that enriches and empowers our communities to mutually benefit people, the city, and the environment.

FIRM PROFILE

For more than 50 years, PBDW Architects has provided intelligent, critical, creative vision and solutions to a wide range of cultural, commercial, and residential design challenges. We are a collegial practice of partners, associates, and staff who consistently deliver award-winning, collaborative, and transformative designs that add to the collective memory of their contexts and communities.

The practice is a collaborative one that benefits from the direct participation of all partners, each of whom contributes expertise to every project. We consistently produce high-quality work, owing to the experience and dedication of our staff. Our high retention rate fosters growth from within, rendering a deep familiarity with, and ownership of, our work methods and quality standards.

Our projects express the character of the dynamic organizations we serve. We strive to be in harmony with their unique surroundings. This extends to the conscientious restoration of major historic landmarks which we aim to synthesize with contemporary, technologically advanced designs. In new buildings and additions, and in an array of project types, the firm creates original designs that both harmonize with and invigorate their surroundings, while we have a reputation for thorough and precise documentation along with a culture of excellence in construction.

firm history

PBDW was founded by Charles A. Platt, Paul Spencer Byard, Ray H. Dovell, and Samuel G. White. Charles Platt began practicing architecture in 1965, founding Smotrich & Platt Architects and Planners. In 1985 he founded Charles A. Platt Partners, where he was later joined by Paul Byard in 1989. In 1990, Ray Dovell, who had been practicing architecture since 1980 and had worked at both Smotrich & Platt and Charles A. Platt Partners, joined Platt and Byard in 1990, forming Platt Byard Dovell Architects. Samuel White has been practicing architecture since 1974, first at Buttrick White & Burtis in 1978 until 2002, when he joined Platt Byard Dovell Architects as a partner, finally forming Platt Byard Dovell White Architects.

Today, the firm is led by Partners Anne Holford-Smith, James Seger, Matthew Mueller, and Leonard Leung who collectively have more than 90 years’ experience with the firm and continue the mission-driven work of the founding partnership.  Sam White, Ray Dovell, and Scott Duenow remain vital contributors to the firm in their roles as Founding and Consulting Partners.

Services

• New Construction

• Renovation

• Preservation

• Interior Architecture

• Master Planning

• Feasibility Studies

• Zoning