When looking at houses, architects Mark Ferguson (right) and Oscar Shamamian each notice something entirely different. For Ferguson, it’s “the small things that signal the level of finesse and inventiveness” that catch his eye. Shamamian, on the other hand, is struck most by a building’s “silhouette—the general form suggests a certain character or ambience to me before I even take in the details.” In their own projects, which are conceived through their study of the local building vernacular, the surrounding landscape and the greater regional environment, they are both as focused on the big picture as they are on the details. Their sensibility was first honed at Parish-Hadley, where they met and learned of their mutual interest in traditional design.

They founded their now 65–person firm in 1988 and since then have worked in a traditional architectural idiom, which they have adapted to meet the contemporary needs of their clients. While each partner oversees his own projects, they come together for monthly design critiques and foster a spirit of collaboration within the practice, sharing resources and encouraging “all good ideas to be heard from any member of the staff,” notes Ferguson. Equally important, the partners agree, are the genuine collaborations on projects with professionals—the interior designers, landscape architects, artisans, craftspeople, contractors and consultants—outside the firm.

Ferguson & Shamamian

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