Business Details
36 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architecture & Design Partner in Salem, MA
LIEBSTUDIOS is a multidisciplinary studio founded in 1990 in Brooklyn, NY, now based in Salem, MA for over 20 years. Our practice centers on architecture, interior design, and fine art, grounded in collaboration, creativity, and experimentation. We provide individualized professional services to private, institutional, and commercial clients, with a focus on historic structures and community-based projects. Our commitment to Person-Centered Design principles ensures spaces adapt to the evolving needs of end users. We assemble interdisciplinary teams for each project, ensuring detail-oriented solutions from planning through completion. Our expertise spans Universal Design, accessibility consulting, and code compliance, with a track record in diverse projects from residential to institutional.We integrate sustainability and historic preservation, offering comprehensive services including facility assessments, due diligence, and expert witness testimony. Our educational initiatives include the PCAT (Person-Centered Design Assessment Tool), developed through research aligned with WHO's ICF 2002. The studio's fine art practice explores collage and mixed media, reflecting themes of modernity, nostalgia, and human experience. With over three decades of experience, we balance technical rigor with creative vision to deliver impactful, human-centric environments.
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Fine Art
Universal Design
Accessibility Consulting
Facility Assessments
Historic Preservation
Educational Services
Expert Witness
Code Compliance
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of architectural expertise in historic and Universal Design.
- Our interdisciplinary teams deliver tailored solutions for complex projects.
- We pioneered the PCAT assessment tool for Person-Centered Design education.
- Our practice integrates sustainability, accessibility, and historic preservation.
- We maintain active roles in industry leadership and academic instruction.
Associations and certifications
- NCARB
- Green Building Initiative Certified Green Globes Professional
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- AIA (American Institute of Architects)
What people say
Person-Centered expertise
Historic preservation mastery
Collaborative team
Accessible design leadership
Educational innovation
Services
Architecture
We provide comprehensive architectural services from pre-design to construction administration for institutional, commercial, and residential projects. Our expertise includes historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and code-compliant solutions. The studio emphasizes Person-Centered Design to create functional, future-ready environments.
Universal Design
Our Universal Design services integrate accessibility standards with innovative spatial solutions. We conduct facility assessments, prepare ADA transition plans, and offer expert witness services. The practice ensures compliance with ADA, Fair Housing Act, and 521 CMR guidelines while prioritizing user experience.
Fine Art
The studio creates mixed-media collage artworks exploring modern life themes through layered paper, acrylic, and shadowbox techniques. Works range from abstract compositions to narrative triptychs, featured in solo exhibitions and available for acquisition with custom framing options.
Educational Services
We develop educational tools like the PCAT (Person-Centered Design Assessment Tool) for design professionals and students. Programs focus on environmental mapping, human functioning, and design ethics grounded in WHO's International Classification of Functioning standards.
Facility Assessments
Our team conducts comprehensive facility needs assessments for historic and modern structures. Services include condition reporting, sustainability evaluations, zoning analyses, and capital needs planning to guide renovation or expansion projects.
People
David Michael Lieb
Principal and Founder
A licensed architect with 30+ years of experience, David specializes in Universal Design and accessibility compliance. He holds certifications from NCARB, OSHA, and Green Globes, and has presented internationally on Universal Design. He teaches part-time and mentors architecture students.
Rachel Pike
Interior Design Partner
NCIDQ-certified interior designer collaborating with LIEBSTUDIOS on commercial and institutional projects. She brings expertise in space planning, FFE selection, and code-compliant design solutions for diverse client needs.
John Gambell
Interior Design Partner
NCIDQ-certified designer working with LIEBSTUDIOS to deliver specialized interior design services. His focus areas include contract interiors, accessibility integration, and historic preservation projects across commercial and institutional sectors.
Questions
What architectural services does LIEBSTUDIOS offer?
We provide full-cycle architecture services including pre-design, schematic design, and contract administration for historic, commercial, and residential projects.
Do you specialize in accessibility design?
Yes, we're experts in Universal Design and ADA compliance, offering assessments, code consulting, and expert witness services for accessibility litigation.
Can I purchase original artwork from the studio?
Yes, we create mixed-media collage artworks available for acquisition. Appointments are required to view large format pieces.
What geographic areas do you serve?
Based in Salem, MA, we work throughout New England, Greater Boston, and have completed projects in 16 U.S. states.
Do you provide educational resources for designers?
Yes, we developed the PCAT assessment tool and offer training programs focused on Person-Centered Design principles and practices.
