Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Historic & Sustainable Architecture Services
Encore Sustainable Architects has dedicated over 50 years to delivering architectural excellence in the Mid-Atlantic region. Our firm specializes in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainable design, guided by a team of registered architects, preservationists, and LEED Accredited Professionals. We prioritize holistic design approaches that balance historic integrity with modern sustainability goals, ensuring projects meet rigorous regulatory standards while achieving client visions. Our expertise spans feasibility studies, historic tax credit applications, construction administration, and LEED certification coordination, serving residential, commercial, and institutional clients. With a proven track record in navigating complex approvals processes, we help clients secure funding through historic and sustainability incentives.Our principal architect, W. Ward Bucher III, brings decades of experience in projects ranging from National Historic Landmarks to multifamily housing, supported by a team with advanced degrees and industry certifications. Recognized with awards such as AIA DCs Historic Resources Merit Awards, we combine technical precision with creative problem-solving. Client testimonials highlight our responsiveness, attention to detail, and ability to transform challenging historic projects into functional, award-winning spaces. We maintain affiliations with preservation organizations like the D.C. Preservation League and Maryland Historical Trust, reinforcing our commitment to cultural and environmental stewardship. Our work consistently demonstrates that historic buildings can be both preserved and reimagined for sustainable futures.
Services
Historic Restoration
Sustainable Design
Adaptive Reuse
Government Approvals
Construction Administration
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- 50+ years of combined experience in historic and sustainable architecture
- Full-service team with LEED APs and preservation specialists
- Maryland SBE-certified for government contracting opportunities
- Proven success in securing historic tax credits and regulatory approvals
- Award-winning track record with National Historic Landmark projects
Associations and certifications
- Maryland SBE
- LEED AP
What people say
Visionary team
Exceeded expectations
Timely responses
Preservation expertise
Holistic approach
Services
Historic Preservation
Specialized services for preserving historic buildings, including National Register nominations, tax credit applications, and adherence to Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Our team conducts building condition assessments, historic structure reports, and measured drawings to maintain architectural integrity while meeting modern needs. With expertise in local, state, and federal preservation guidelines, we ensure compliance and successful project approvals.
Sustainable Design
Integrating LEED certification, energy modeling, and net-zero strategies into new and existing buildings. We optimize building efficiency through material analysis, passive design principles, and renewable energy solutions while maintaining historic fabric. Our LEED AP professionals coordinate certifications like Energy Star and Green Globes, balancing environmental responsibility with functional design requirements.
Adaptive Reuse
Transforming historic structures into modern functional spaces while preserving architectural character. Services include feasibility studies, spatial redesign, and regulatory navigation for projects ranging from retail spaces to multifamily housing. We specialize in resolving structural challenges and integrating contemporary systems without compromising historic integrity.
Government Approvals
Expert navigation of historic and sustainability permitting processes, including Section 106 reviews, Determination of Eligibility, and LEED documentation. We coordinate with SHPOs, NPS, and local review boards to streamline approvals, ensuring projects meet both preservation standards and environmental regulations efficiently.
Construction Administration
Comprehensive management during construction phases, including quality control, schedule monitoring, and contractor coordination. Our team ensures adherence to design specifications, resolves field issues, and approves requisitions while maintaining compliance with historic and sustainability standards throughout the building process.
People
W. Ward Bucher III
Principal Architect
AIA- and APT-certified architect with over 50 years of experience in historic preservation and sustainable design. Led award-winning projects like the Menokin/Glass House and Star-Spangled Banner Flag House restoration. Author of 'The Dictionary of Building Preservation' and former president of the D.C. Preservation League.
Joseph Wojciechowski
Architect
Appointed to the Bel Air Historic Preservation Commission, specializing in regulatory compliance and historic materials analysis. Brings technical expertise in navigating Section 106 reviews and Maryland Historical Trust requirements for complex preservation projects.
Questions
What geographic areas do you serve?
We specialize in projects across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, with experience in both urban and rural historic contexts.
Can you help with historic tax credit applications?
Yes, our team has extensive experience preparing and submitting historic tax credit applications, including coordination with state historic preservation offices and compliance documentation.
Are you LEED-certified professionals?
Our staff includes LEED Accredited Professionals who specialize in integrating sustainability certifications with historic preservation requirements for dual compliance.
How do you handle regulatory approvals?
We coordinate Section 106 reviews, Determination of Eligibility, and local historic board processes, ensuring projects meet both preservation standards and development goals efficiently.
What building types do you work with?
We handle diverse projects including residential, commercial, institutional, and religious buildings, from National Historic Landmarks to local historic districts.
How do you balance historic and modern needs?
Our adaptive reuse approach preserves architectural character while incorporating modern systems through careful material selection, spatial planning, and regulatory expertise.
