Creating Places: The Work of Archer & Buchanan Architecture

The art of making places through architectural design and building is timeless. Twenty-five years passes in the blink of an eye, but Archer & Buchanan Architecture has produced an extraordinary body of work that is a testament to a truly collaborative process involving clients, architects, other design professionals and constructors. This living portfolio avoids trends, yet responds to changes in the way we live to create places of enduring value. Since 1996, Archer & Buchanan has focused on the fundamentals of architectural design to achieve projects that are a delight. Success led to growth and the practice eventually began to include institutional, planning, and historic preservation commissions. There are strong common links in the resumes and backgrounds of the principal leadership with interests in sustainability, history, and community service. These interests are closely related to each other and form a practice ethic that is independent of style or building type. The firm's buildings belong as much to the greater context of their settings as they do to their clients.Archer & Buchanan Architecture stands out among its peers more because of its method than a signature style. To paraphrase the firm's own statements, "Our strength is in the rich portfolio of projects achieved over the years through meaningful design and client-focused service?Our work reflects a strong appreciation of each client's rich traditions?whether set in urban, suburban or rural settings."This survey of select projects also includes essays that describe some of the themes which are common across the body of work. They explain how a diverse group of projects are united by a strong foundation in architectural fundamentals.Twenty-five years of practice is just one chapter in the book of Archer & Buchanan. The world is different now than in 1996, but design as a tool for improving the quality of life and the built and natural environments has not changed. The collaborative workplace established by Archer & Buchanan ensures that there is more to come. The work displays an overarching vision that is wide enough to accept change but focused enough to realize that some fundamental concepts never do.