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Company Profile
CSS Architects Incorporated is a full service architectural firm providing professional design services to private and public clients throughout New England. Our company has maintained a client base that has been generating repeat commission since its incorporation in 1980.

CSS Architects has a reputation as a highly sensitive and technically competent provider of all architectural services. Our practice is wide-ranging and includes municipal, public housing, industrial, commercial, residential and institutional clients, for both new construction and renovations/restorations.

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Left: Endicott Center Renovation, Salem, MA
Right: Town Hall Feasibility Study, Swampscott, MA

Design Philosophy
The design philosophy of CSS Architects is to create functional, cost effective, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sensitive architecture. Our first priority is to work closely with each client and become familiar with their concerns and goals. The principals take the time to research the inner workings of each project. They study and become familiar with the client’s program; they listen and develop a working dialog which becomes the design direction for the project all of which is done to meet each individual client’s needs.

The project team’s principle objective is to assure the client that they have what they needs and that the project will be completed on time and on budget. This "hands on" approach is the key to controlling costs and meeting schedules. The principal-in-charge directs the design process, selects the consultants, attends all key meetings, remains on the project from the initial interview through construction and is at all times accessible to the client.

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Cost Control
Cost control begins with the fundamental understanding of building construction and building products. CSS Architects has implemented its cost control process by becoming familiar with construction procedures. Our principals analytically review all the components and materials that contribute to the cost of a project. The process begins with the site analysis. In this phase our principals review soil conditions, topography, utilities, etc., and evaluate the siting of the building.

During the design process, the CSS team regularly compares the performance, quality, and cost for each material and component proposed for the project. Structural systems, electrical, and HVAC systems are also evaluated based on performance quality and cost. We have researched materials and building components and over the years have built up a database of low maintenance, economically priced, and aesthetically pleasing materials that are custom tailored for each project.

Controlling cost is only as good as the documents that are provided by the design professional. CSS Architects has a reputation for preparing extensively detailed construction documents and project manuals. We are also known for being very competent in field administration which, complemented with extremely good documents, minimizes change orders.

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Left: Office Building, Wakefield, MA
Right: Office Building, Brockton, MA

Schedule Control
CSS Architects maintains its tight control over the delivery of the services through its project management system. The principal and project managers meet regularly to assess the workload and review the completeness of the work for each project with all the team members. Each project is assigned a comprehensive drawing schedule, time allotment for each task, and description of the work. At the review meeting, the schedules are updated and, if required, staff is assigned or overtime is scheduled. The firm’s principals shall be held accountable to the client for the timely completion of the documents.

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Project Control
CSS Architects has introduced a comprehensive quality control program for it staff and consultants and has developed a consistent methodology for producing technical documents. Our senior project manager reviews all design and technical documents, coordinates the consultant work with the firm’s work and confirms that the detail is up to CSS Architects’ standards. In order to provide clients with the best project control, the team members and consultants are selected based on their experience and skills in relation to the specific project requirements.

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Left: Custom Home, Beverly Cove, MA
Right: Custom Home, Weston, MA

Staff Profile
Principal:
John S. Savasta, A.I.A.

Personnel:
11 total, including architects, designers, and support staff

Our key personnel have extensive experience in design, construction documents, bidding and construction administration for all professional disciplines.

CSS Architects Incorporated is also fully versed in the requirements of the Architectural Access Board, the Federal ADA Requirements, DEP, Wetland Protection Act and Rivers Act. All design and construction documents are generated on AutoCAD Release 14.

Our management and design professionals have extensive experience in both building design and project management. Our technical expertise combined with design sensitivity provides our clients with quality architecture at reasonable costs.

The principals and staff are committed to excellence in design and reliable project management. Our dedication to completing projects on time, within budget and with the highest quality design has earned us four AGC Build Massachusetts Awards.

The attitude of the principals and staff has been the key ingredient for a successful relationship with the firms’ clients. We consider our clients to be the most important part of our business and insure that they are always treated in a highly professional manner and that their concerns become our concerns.

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