Business Details
33 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architecture & Interior Design Partner in Boston
MDS Architects is an architecture, planning, and interior design firm creating environments that drive change. Established in 1993 and based in Boston, we work with leading institutions, schools, public agencies, and developers. Our proactive design approach prioritizes enriching the experience of building occupants through innovative, user-centric solutions. We are certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, reflecting our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our team includes professionals accredited in LEED, WELL, Evidence-Based Design, and Passive House Design, alongside specialized architects and technical experts. We begin each project by deeply understanding client missions, anticipating challenges, and advising on scope prioritization while meeting regulatory requirements.Our focus extends beyond functionality to create spaces that foster innovation, learning, creativity, and wellness. We integrate sustainable practices through energy efficiency, recycled materials, and responsible waste management, aligning with the Architecture 2030 Commitment and Living Product 50 initiatives. Our expertise in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and cutting-edge technologies ensures durable, high-performance buildings tailored to each project's unique context. With decades of collective experience, we deliver technically precise, award-winning designs that provide long-term value across diverse project types.
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Planning
Sustainable Design
Building Information Modeling
K-12 School Design
Workplace Design
Science & Technology Facilities
Student Housing
Performing Arts Spaces
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We implement a proactive design approach focused on enriching user experiences.
- Our team includes LEED, WELL, and Passive House accredited professionals.
- We prioritize sustainable design aligned with Architecture 2030 and Living Product 50 standards.
- We utilize advanced BIM technology for precise, efficient project delivery.
- Our designs foster innovation, learning, and wellness in every space.
Associations and certifications
- LEED
- WELL
- Evidence-Based Design
- Passive House Design
- Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
Services
Architecture
Our architectural services create functional, aesthetically compelling spaces tailored to client missions. We specialize in educational, corporate, and community projects, combining technical precision with innovative design. Our approach prioritizes user experience, sustainability, and long-term value.
Interior Design
We craft interior environments that enhance productivity and well-being. Our designs integrate ergonomic principles, sustainable materials, and adaptive reuse strategies. From workplaces to learning spaces, we create interiors that reflect organizational identity and support evolving needs.
Sustainable Design
Our sustainable design practice incorporates energy efficiency, recycled materials, and responsible waste management. Certified professionals guide projects through LEED, WELL, and Passive House standards, ensuring environmental responsibility without compromising functionality or aesthetics.
Building Information Modeling
We utilize BIM technology to streamline design processes and improve project outcomes. This digital approach enables precise modeling, clash detection, and collaborative decision-making, resulting in cost-effective, technically accurate building solutions.
K-12 School Design
Specializing in 21st-century learning environments, we design schools that foster engagement and academic success. Our solutions incorporate flexible learning spaces, technology integration, and sustainable features tailored to students' and educators' evolving needs.
People
James Loftus
Principal
James Loftus leads architectural projects with expertise in educational and institutional design. His work focuses on creating spaces that enhance learning and community engagement through innovative, sustainable solutions.
Amy MacKrell
Principal
Amy MacKrell specializes in sustainable design and LEED-certified projects. As a leader in the firm's planning practice, she develops visionary spaces that balance functionality with environmental responsibility across diverse project types.
Nereyda Rodriguez
Principal
Nereyda Rodriguez directs sustainable design initiatives and Passive House projects. Her expertise in green building standards ensures clients receive cutting-edge solutions that optimize energy performance while maintaining design excellence.
Kate Wonkka
Principal
Kate Wonkka leads interior design projects with a focus on wellness and user experience. Her work integrates WELL Building principles to create healthy, productive environments for educational and corporate clients.
Meaghan Kennedy
Senior Interior Designer
Meaghan Kennedy specializes in workplace design and hybrid work environments. Her research on post-pandemic office spaces informs innovative solutions that balance collaboration with flexibility for modern organizations.
Questions
What types of projects does MDS Architects specialize in?
We focus on educational facilities, workplaces, science & technology buildings, student housing, and performing arts spaces, with expertise in both new construction and adaptive reuse projects.
How does the firm incorporate sustainability into designs?
Our sustainable approach includes energy-efficient systems, recycled materials, responsible waste management, and compliance with LEED, WELL, and Passive House standards across all project phases.
What is your experience with educational facility design?
We've completed over 50 K-12 and higher education projects, including 21st-century learning environments for towns like Braintree and Brookline, focusing on flexible, technology-integrated spaces.
How do you handle complex renovation projects?
Our team combines Building Information Modeling with historical preservation expertise to modernize existing structures while maintaining architectural integrity and meeting contemporary standards.
What certifications does your staff hold?
Our professionals hold accreditations in LEED, WELL, Evidence-Based Design, Passive House Design, and include Certified Documents Technologists and Specifications Writers.
How do you approach collaborative design processes?
We use integrated design workshops and digital collaboration tools to ensure all stakeholders contribute to shaping spaces that meet both functional needs and organizational missions.
