Where Vision Meets Function.

Based just outside Boston, we help homeowners navigate design challenges and bring their vision to life with practical, creative architectural solutions.

Home Designed by TLN Architecture and Design

We’re problem solvers who use our architectural training to help clients think of how they use spaces and make their vision become reality.

Completed projects in

Belmont, Dedham, Newton, Roslindale, South End, Waltham, Wellesley, Westwood

Our Services.

The existing conditions phase of an architecture project involves observing and documenting the current state of the property, including its layout, site features, and systems. This often includes taking measurements, photographs, and reviewing any available records. The information gathered helps guide design ideas and project planning.
The schematic design phase focuses on exploring and developing initial design ideas for the project based on the vision of the homeowners. This phase begins with creating rough sketches, diagrams and layouts to establish the overall layout, space organization, and exterior concept. It's a collaborative phase where ideas are refined based on conversations and feedback between the homeowner and architect. The goal is to narrow down to two plan layout options, drawn in a partial drawing set for a contractor to help with high level pricing.
Once a single design option is selected from the schematic design phase, work will continue and information will be added to the drawings for a contractor to price a more in depth drawing set. This phase refines the drawings by adding more detail to room layouts, general material selections, electrical and lighting layouts, and often introduces a structural engineer to assist with foundation and framing drawings. This phase helps define the project scope before finalizing more details in the upcoming and final phase.
The permit drawing phase involves preparing detailed drawings and documentation required for building permit approval. These drawings include information on code compliance, the structural elements, and some building systems. These drawings will have the architect's stamp when submitting to the local town/city's permitting department. In some cases, especially in the Boston Metro Area, we encounter projects that require additional permitting assitance with Town/ City Planning and Zoning Boards to obtain further approvals, this is discussed in the next phase.
This phase focuses on preparing documentation for the homeowners and/or their representative to request exceptions to zoning or building regulations as it relates to the proposed addition. For example, the most common request is an encroachment on front, rear or side yard setbacks with the proposed addition. The architect is involved in creating drawings, narratives and other supporting materials to help describe the scenario of the built environment. The goal is to gain approval for the design elements that fall outside the standard regulations. Most jurisdictions require permit drawings to be submitted first, which then the local building inspector will flag those drawings to go in front of the planning or zoning board to begin the variance or special permit process. Each Town or City handles these scenarios slightly differently so it is important to understand how the process works and how it might impact your project timeline. This process does not guarantee approval as it is subject to a vote by the local board of elected officials. This phase also does not typically include the architect to be the representative for the homeowner when presenting to the local board for approvals.
This service is a valuable tool for showcasing properties, monitoring progress in areas that aren't always accessible, or highlighting design features from above. It allows unique perspectives to be captured and to gain a better understanding of the surrounding environment. It can also be used to help understand what some of the 'future' views will be from a proposed addition to help homeowners visualize those new perspectives.
Real estate agents often need additional supporting documents for their listings and content to help show potential buyers what they could be getting, but also how they could start to modify their home. For homes in the Boston Metro area this is especially important, as older homes have had several additions put on and the listing is difficult to convey in photographs alone. This service allows for rough dimensions to be taken of the existing home and marketing plans to be produced, it does not provide an exact square footage take off for local records.
Our Architect.
Thomas Neal Headshot
Thomas Neal.

AIA,NCARB, WELL AP

Founded in 2015, TLN architecture and design began as a way to help Boston area families realize more potential in their homes. Primarily focused on interior renovations and small additions. Our goal is to provide you with additional ideas and visions for your home’s potential.

Get in Touch.

Have a vision for your home? Let’s talk about how we can help bring it to life. Whether you're starting with schematic ideas or preparing for permitting, we're here to guide you through every step—with creativity, clarity, and care. We look forward to helping you transform your space.

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