Providence, RI DBVW Architects, the largest architectural firm in Rhode Island, is celebrating 30 years of designing for communities around New England. What began with an affordable housing project in Woonsocket, RI, in 1994 has grown to include almost 3,000 residential units, of which approximately 2,300 are affordable. In Providence alone, DBVW has been involved in over 40 projects, including such notable buildings as the Rhode Island State House, the Cranston Street Armory, and the Peerless Building.

Since it was established in 1994, DBVW’s portfolio has expanded to a wide range of sectors, including institutional, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, cultural arts, healthcare, housing and education. DBVW Architects celebrated the anniversary of its founding with an event hosted at the WaterFire Arts Center, which also celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024. DBVW designed the WaterFire Arts Center back in 2016.

Senior principals Douglas Brown, Martha Werenfels, Michael Viveiros, and principal Pierson Booher were joined by former firm principal and co-founder Steve Durkee and many former DBVW employees to mark this important milestone. Many clients, consultants, contractors, colleagues, friends, and family from over the last 30 years helped to make this a truly memorable celebration. Since it began, DBVW Architects, which is located in a renovated industrial building in Providence’s historic Jewelry District, has had almost 150 employees.

“We’re fortunate to have a vibrant and supportive office with a mix of amazing long-term leaders and younger staff members, contributing so much to our company’s culture and success,” Brown said at the event.

“Architects are known for designing buildings,” said Werenfels, “But what it’s really about is the people.”