Business Details
32 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architectural Partner in Providence, RI
At Durkee Brown Viveiros, we are dedicated to creating resilient, livable communities that celebrate the intersection of history and modernity. Our practice emphasizes openness, collaboration, and a deep commitment to understanding client needs through active listening and hands-on engagement. With expertise in contemporary architecture, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse, we transform challenges into innovative solutions while maintaining respect for existing structures and environments. Our teams technical proficiency and passion for craftsmanship are evident in projects ranging from educational and cultural spaces to residential and commercial developments.We prioritize clear communication and a collaborative process, ensuring clients feel involved and informed throughout every project phase. Recognized for our work in historic tax credit projects and sustainable design, we serve public and private-sector clients across the Northeast. Our firms culture of inclusivity and dedication to community impact extends beyond our office into the spaces we help create.
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Historic Preservation
Adaptive Reuse
Feasibility Studies
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of expertise in historic preservation and adaptive reuse.
- Our team includes nationally recognized preservation experts and LEED-certified professionals.
- We prioritize client collaboration through transparent, hands-on project management.
- Award-winning work recognized by AIA, Preservation Massachusetts, and the National Trust.
- Deep local knowledge of New Englands architectural heritage and regulatory landscape.
What people say
Attention to detail
Historic preservation expertise
Collaborative approach
Award-winning designs
Responsive team
Services
Historic Preservation
Specialized restoration and conservation of historic buildings, including landmark designations and tax credit compliance. Our team combines technical expertise with deep respect for architectural heritage to ensure historically significant structures are preserved for future generations while meeting modern functional needs.
Adaptive Reuse
Creative transformation of existing structures into modern, functional spaces. We excel at balancing preservation requirements with contemporary design demands, delivering cost-effective solutions that extend building lifecycles while maintaining historical integrity and community character.
Architecture
Full-service architectural design for new construction and renovations. Our approach emphasizes contextual sensitivity, sustainability, and user-centered design, creating spaces that respond to environmental factors and enhance occupant experiences through innovative spatial planning and material selection.
Interior Design
Comprehensive interior design solutions that optimize functionality and aesthetics. We focus on creating adaptable, human-centric environments through strategic layout planning, material specification, and integration of lighting and technology systems across commercial, educational, and residential projects.
Feasibility Studies
Technical and financial assessments for building reuse and development projects. Our studies evaluate structural viability, regulatory compliance, and cost-benefit scenarios to inform decision-making, ensuring clients understand potential challenges and opportunities before committing to major investments.
People
Douglas L. Brown
Co-Founder, Senior Advisor
Co-founded DBVW in 1994 and specializes in contextual design and historic tax credit projects. With extensive experience in public-sector collaborations, he has shaped numerous preservation initiatives across the Northeast while maintaining active involvement in community development.
Michael Viveiros
Senior Principal
Brings expertise in modern cities and historic preservation, with notable work on academic and cultural institutions. His design philosophy emphasizes material integrity and spatial simplicity, delivering award-winning projects that balance innovation with contextual sensitivity.
Martha L. Werenfels
Senior Principal
Nationally recognized historic preservation expert and LEED AP professional. As former AIA/Rhode Island president, she advises on sustainability integration in preservation projects and serves on multiple heritage commissions, combining technical mastery with policy influence.
Pierson W. Booher
Principal
Specializes in complex preservation projects and serves as Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission Governor-appointed Commissioner. His technical expertise has earned multiple design awards, with a focus on maintaining architectural authenticity while addressing modern functional requirements.
Edward S. Cifune
Associate Principal
Manages large-scale educational and municipal projects with 25+ years of experience. Known for energetic project leadership, he has delivered critical infrastructure improvements across New England, emphasizing accessibility and community engagement in public-sector work.
Questions
What architectural services does DBVW specialize in?
We specialize in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, new construction, interior design, and feasibility studies for both public and private-sector clients.
How does DBVW approach historic preservation projects?
We combine technical expertise with regulatory knowledge to maintain historical integrity while implementing modern updates through careful material selection and code-compliant design solutions.
What project types does DBVW handle?
We work on academic, cultural, governmental, residential, and commercial projects with a focus on context-sensitive design and community impact.
How long has DBVW been in business?
DBVW Architects has been designing award-winning buildings since our founding in 1994 by Steve Durkee and Doug Brown.
What areas does DBVW serve?
While based in Providence, RI, we serve clients throughout the Northeast region including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.
How does DBVW involve clients in the design process?
We maintain open communication through regular meetings, design workshops, and transparent project management to ensure client vision alignment at every development stage.
