WHO WE ARE

PORT CITY DESIGN is a full service firm providing architectural planning, design & consulting for residential & commercial clients of all project types.

We have over 20 years of experience in the business of shaping spaces and making places for residential living, commercial & institutional functions.

We recognize the fundamentals of function, budget, context & schedule while aspiring to the best in craft & design. We listen to our clients & encourage discussion. We pay attention to the details, proportion, scale, material quality, light & landscaping that make each project special.

The end result is buildings and spaces that work as they should in harmony with their surroundings, not only serving the client and/or community but inspiring well being & providing enduring value through timeless design.

We like to work wholistically and in an integrated process that involves all the components of the project. We enjoy meeting & working with clients, contractors & other stake holders to achieve the goals of each project.  We look forward to putting our vision, experience, creativity, passion & leadership to work for you.

OUR SERVICES

We service project types of all varieties including new construction, renovation, historic preservation & development. 

  • master planning

  • site planning

  • programming & space planning

  • permitting

  • construction drawing & administration

  • project management

OUR PHILOSOPHY

PORT CITY DESIGN does not subscribe to any particular philosophy, design style or methodology. We pride ourselves on the ability to work fluidly in whatever style that suits the client and/or context.  We believe each project is unique in nearly every way and should be approached with a fresh perspective in terms of client, context, function, goals, budget and contractor. We tailor our services and the approach to meet these unique characteristics. We look forward to meeting you and learning about your project.

OUR PROCESS

A typical project will contain all these elements and follow these sequential steps but can vary depending on the project & client.

Predesign

  • Initial meeting and project scoping

  • Getting to know one another, determining the parameters of the project – type, budget, location/context, schedule, people/stakeholders, goals

  • Following this meeting PCD will provide a project summary and proposal for cost & process

Schematic Design

  • Based on client feedback & research PCD will begin the design & sketch phase to develop and refine concepts and parameters to define the project.

Design Development

  • At this stage the client & PCD are agreed on the basic concept for the project and PCD will further distill the ideas and details that comprise the work.

 Construction Documents

  • The details, engineering and specifications to competitively permit, bid & build the project.

Bidding/Negotiation/Permitting

  • PCD will assist in evaluating different contractor qualifications, bids & procedures as well as the preparation & presentation of applications for review & approval by state & local boards or groups

Construction Administration

  • During construction PCD will ensure the intent & goals of the design are met in method, material, execution & detail. This might involve weekly jobsite meetings with the client, contractors & local officials to ensure good communication, review schedule & particular details & approve changes or revisions

OUR PROJECTS

  • Cathedral in the Pines - Kingston, New Hampshire - additions & renovations to a split level ranch in the woods

  • Exeter Crossing - Exeter, New Hampshire - a complete overhaul of site & buildings for a high visibility retail plaza

  • Mexican Restaurant - Durham, New Hampshire - restaurant build out in a retail strip mall

  • Oceanside Condominiums - York, Maine - 3 story multi-unit condominium complex on a restrictive lot near the beach

  • Playing with Blocks - Newfields, New Hampshire - Jazzing up a typical subdivision home lacking in amenity

  • Riverside Residence - Dover, New Hampshire - Additions & renovations of a shingled cape home on the water

  • The Castle on Charles - Rochester, New Hampshire - Renovation and re-purposing of a 100 year old brick Episcopal church into a commercial assembly & function space

  • The Italian Job - Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Additions & renovations to an in-town Italianate home

  • 1812 Overture - Kittery, Maine - Additions & renovations to an antique center entrance colonial residence looking out on the harbor

  • Airfield Café - Hampton, New Hampshire - New 2 story mixed use building on a small airstrip w/ 1st floor restaurant

  • Island Update - New Castle, New Hampshire - Additions & renovations of an historic Federal home in an island community

  • Wenham Facelift - Wenham, Massachusetts - Updates and improvements to a 2 story center entrance colonial lacking in personality and function

  • Urban Update - Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Updates, improvements & space planning for a tired, 3 story office building in the city

  • Sprucing up the Plaza - Kingston, New Hampshire - Additions, renovations & improvements to a busy commercial plaza

  • St. John's Church - Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Scoping, design, permitting, contracting & management for master planning & site renovations including pedestrian & vehicle ways, accessibility & landscaping.

  • Midcentury Beach House - Rye, New Hampshire - Interior & exterior planning for house and landscape as well as permitting, design & detailing for a new deck, entry, mudroom and stairway.

 

ARCHITECTURE: interior & exterior design, methods, materials, form & function, life safety: 

 

PLANNING: visioning, programming, feasibility, master planning, site planning & landscapes, interior & exterior:

 

INTERIORS: design, materials, methods, volumes & space, user traffic, lighting, colors & texture: