Business Details
41 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architectural Partner in Newburyport
Founded in 1985, our firm brings decades of architectural expertise to every project. Our founder, John Sava, began his career under Walter Gropius, a pioneer in modern architecture, and has cultivated a reputation for innovative design and personalized service. We specialize in creating tailored solutions that blend functionality with aesthetic excellence, ensuring each client's vision becomes a reality. With a strong focus on sustainable design, we have integrated eco-friendly practices into our work since the 1970s, setting industry standards for environmental responsibility. Our team's hands-on approach guarantees John's direct involvement in every project, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and adherence to schedules. We have earned recognition for our contributions to historic preservation and urban revitalization, including awards from the Boston Society of Architects.Our portfolio spans diverse sectors, including institutional, residential, and industrial projects, reflecting our versatility and commitment to meeting varied client needs. We prioritize cost control and schedule adherence, providing clients with reliable, transparent project management. Active in community development, our founder has served on local planning boards and educational institutions, reinforcing our dedication to civic engagement. With licenses in multiple states, we bring regional expertise to every project while maintaining a national perspective. Our legacy of excellence continues to attract clients seeking a collaborative, experienced architectural partner.
Services
Architectural Design
Historic Preservation
Sustainable Design
Urban Planning
Construction Management
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of architectural expertise with direct founder involvement in every project.
- Our team specializes in sustainable design, integrating eco-friendly practices since the 1970s.
- We guarantee cost control and schedule adherence for reliable project management.
- Our portfolio includes award-winning historic preservation and urban revitalization projects.
- We maintain regional expertise with licenses across five northeastern states.
Services
Architectural Design
We create custom architectural solutions tailored to client needs, combining aesthetic innovation with functional efficiency. Our expertise spans residential, commercial, and institutional projects, ensuring each design meets specific requirements while adhering to budget and timeline constraints. With decades of experience, we deliver spaces that balance creativity with practicality.
Historic Preservation
Our firm specializes in restoring historic structures while maintaining their original character. Projects include adaptive reuse of 19th-century buildings and compliance with national and local preservation standards. We ensure historical integrity while integrating modern functionality, as demonstrated in our work on Newburyport's historic landmarks.
Sustainable Design
We pioneered sustainable design practices in the 1970s, incorporating solar energy, wind power, and recycled materials into projects. Our approach reduces environmental impact while optimizing energy efficiency, exemplified by solar-powered homes and LEED-inspired commercial developments that meet modern sustainability benchmarks.
Urban Planning
We develop comprehensive urban plans that balance growth with community needs. Our work includes mixed-use developments, marina master plans, and downtown revitalization projects. By integrating housing, retail, and public spaces, we create vibrant, functional urban environments that enhance local economies.
Construction Management
We provide end-to-end construction management, ensuring projects meet quality standards and deadlines. Our services include cost estimation, contractor coordination, and on-site supervision. With a focus on transparency, we maintain client communication throughout the building process to guarantee successful outcomes.
People
John Sava
Founding Principal
John Sava, AIA, founded the firm in 1985 after working under Walter Gropius. He holds MIT degrees and specializes in sustainable design, historic preservation, and urban planning. With licenses in five states, he brings regional expertise to diverse projects.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in custom architectural design, historic preservation, sustainable building solutions, urban planning, and construction management across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors.
How long has your firm been in operation?
John Sava Architects has been serving clients since 1985, with the founder's career beginning in the 1960s under modernist pioneer Walter Gropius.
Do you handle historic building restoration projects?
Yes, we have extensive experience restoring historic structures, including 19th-century train stations and warehouses, while meeting modern functional requirements and preservation standards.
What sustainable design practices do you implement?
We integrate solar energy, wind power, green roofs, and recycled materials into designs. Our sustainable approach began in the 1970s, making us industry leaders in eco-friendly architecture.
Are you licensed to work in multiple states?
Yes, we hold architectural licenses in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York, allowing regional expertise with national reach.
Reviews (4)
Grant Lewis
Aug 23, 2021
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You may see other 5 star rating but Im pretty sure those are johns friends or fake accounts. Make sure you do your research before hiring John. Had a contract to have framing plans included and thought it would be CAD plans so I could actually get engineer to stamp plans. John can only do hand drawn sketches and takes forever. Please be warned and I wouldnt use John unless you like lighting your money on fire for fun. He is a 78 year old that doesnt ever admit when he is wrong and is so oblivious of the standards or work today he continues to cry and try to make comments acting like I
Adam Conceicao
Aug 07, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Im currently working with John on two projects, hes been great and easy to work with. Always on time and professional, his work has been nothing but great.
Im currently working with John on two projects, hes been great and easy to work with. Always on time and professional, his work has been nothing but great.
Jessica Tomlinson
Aug 06, 2021
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John came highly recommended from my manager as we were having difficulty finding someone to do architectural drawings for a complex and challenging foundation repair project on a multi-family property in Haverhill. John was responsive and very caring about our project. He was an excellent communicator and even worked directly with our contractor when questions came up during the project. He also went the extra mile to speak with the local building inspector to ensure that all the items needed for the permit were known ahead of time. John has excellent customer service and is well connected throughout
Dan Murphy
Jul 14, 2021
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I'm always over the top pleased and very impressed with John's hands on, can do attitude and approach. His work ethic is just as impressive.
John has worked on several projects of mine, large and small. He was instrumental in obtaining the largest square footage variance ever to date under the current PIOD(Plum Island Overlay District) zoning guidelines on my behalf. While we were building there was a problem with a complicated interior staircase. My builder called John as he(John) had given his cell phone number to the builder. John got in his car, drove to the island and made sure the builder
John has worked on several projects of mine, large and small. He was instrumental in obtaining the largest square footage variance ever to date under the current PIOD(Plum Island Overlay District) zoning guidelines on my behalf. While we were building there was a problem with a complicated interior staircase. My builder called John as he(John) had given his cell phone number to the builder. John got in his car, drove to the island and made sure the builder
