Ipswich, MA – OLSON LEWIS + Architects opened its doors over 32 years ago. Since its founding, this north shore architectural, planning and interior design firm has gone through several phases of growth and change.
For the past several years, it conducted business under the full name Olson Lewis Dioli & Doktor Architects & Planners. They’re now rebranded as OLSON LEWIS + Architects.
The firm also has updated its website and other communication materials, including its logo.
This new name and logo honor the company’s traditional roots, but also add a stylized “plus” symbol for “more.” The “more” reflects expanded services to a wider range of clients (homes, schools, commercial, biotech, hospitality and healthcare), innovative and responsive design aesthetics, growth in professional staff, and leadership in long-term industry trends such as sustainability and other movements that affect the future of architectural design and planning.
Originally a sole practice in John Olson’s home, the firm quickly grew into a collaboration between the two Harvard alumni and operated under the name Olson Lewis for almost two decades.
As they took on new partners, the business title eventually expanded to Olson Lewis Dioli & Doktor Architects (OLD&D), acknowledging the respective contributions of two newer principles: Arthur Dioli and Christopher Doktor.
And yet, people continued to abbreviate the firm’s name. “To this day, our clients often refer to us as Olson Lewis. That was our name 30 years ago,” says founder John Olson. His partner H. Randolph Lewis adds, “Although we changed the company’s name over time, many clients continued to shorten it. We’re listening to the wisdom of that habit.” Rather than struggling to remind clients of the firm’s extended business name, they responded by re-interpreting its original company name.
As the firm enters its fourth decade of practice, its leadership team now offers expertise in more disciplines: biotech, commercial, hospitality, education, healthcare, and residential design. It includes a fifth partner, Bill Mead, and remains one of the largest firms north of Boston, with a staff of 20 people.
Its in-house services include architectural design, master planning and interior design. It maintains cutting-edge training in essential trends such as sustainable design, including LEED certification and design implementation.