Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Historic Preservation & Sustainable Architecture
Encore Sustainable Architects has been delivering architectural excellence for over 50 years across the Mid-Atlantic region. Our firm specializes in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainable design, combining deep technical expertise with a passion for preserving cultural heritage. Led by Principal Architect W. Ward Bucher, AIA, APT, our team includes registered architects, preservationists, and LEED Accredited Professionals who navigate complex regulatory requirements with precision. We provide comprehensive services from predesign through construction administration, with a proven track record in securing historic tax credits and achieving LEED certifications. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures projects meet both preservation standards and modern sustainability goals.With decades of experience in government approvals and historic documentation, we deliver innovative solutions for commercial, institutional, and residential properties. Our work has earned recognition including AIA Historic Resources Merit Awards and The Architect's Newspaper Best Design Award. We maintain active roles in preservation organizations like the D.C. Preservation League and Maryland Historical Trust. Client testimonials highlight our exceptional communication, technical proficiency, and ability to transform challenging historic projects into functional modern spaces. From feasibility studies to construction oversight, we combine 21st-century innovation with century-tested craftsmanship to create enduring architectural solutions.
Services
Historic Restoration
Sustainable Design
Adaptive Reuse
Government Approvals
LEED Certification
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of experience in historic preservation architecture
- Our team includes LEED Accredited Professionals and AIA award winners
- We guarantee expedited project timelines through streamlined regulatory navigation
- Our staff maintains active roles in major preservation organizations
- We provide comprehensive services from feasibility studies to construction oversight
Associations and certifications
- Maryland SBE
- LEED AP
What people say
Wonderful professionals
Timely response
Visionary team
Exceptional communication
Transformed challenging projects
Services
Historic Restoration
Our historic restoration services combine architectural expertise with preservation science to maintain structural integrity while meeting modern standards. We conduct detailed condition assessments, develop treatment plans, and execute repairs using period-appropriate materials and techniques. Our team's deep knowledge of Secretary of the Interior's Standards ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations while preserving historical authenticity.
Sustainable Design
We integrate sustainable design principles with historic preservation to create energy-efficient buildings that maintain historical character. Our LEED-certified professionals employ advanced energy modeling, material analysis, and passive design strategies to achieve sustainability goals without compromising architectural heritage. This approach reduces environmental impact while maintaining compliance with preservation guidelines.
Adaptive Reuse
Our adaptive reuse solutions transform historic structures into functional modern spaces while preserving architectural character. We navigate complex zoning regulations and tax credit requirements to convert buildings for new purposes. The process includes feasibility studies, code compliance analysis, and design solutions that balance historical integrity with contemporary functionality and safety standards.
Government Approvals
We specialize in securing necessary approvals for historic projects through local, state, and federal agencies. Our team prepares National Register nominations, Historic Tax Credit applications, and Section 106 review documentation. With extensive experience in dealing with SHPOs, NPS, and historic review boards, we streamline the approval process while maintaining project timelines and budgets.
LEED Certification
Our LEED Accredited Professionals guide projects through the certification process while maintaining historic integrity. We develop sustainability strategies that meet LEED requirements without compromising preservation standards. Services include energy modeling, material selection analysis, and documentation preparation that satisfies both green building and historic preservation requirements.
People
W. Ward Bucher
Principal Architect
With over 50 years of experience, Ward Bucher is a registered architect in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. He has led preservation projects for National Historic Landmarks and received multiple AIA awards. Author of 'The Dictionary of Building Preservation', he combines technical expertise with deep historical knowledge to deliver exceptional architectural solutions.
Joseph Wojciechowski
Architect
Architect Joseph Wojciechowski brings specialized expertise in historic preservation and sustainable design. Appointed to the Bel Air Historic Preservation Commission, he contributes technical proficiency in navigating regulatory requirements while maintaining design integrity for both modern and historic building projects.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainable design for commercial, institutional, and residential properties across the Mid-Atlantic region.
How do you handle historic tax credit applications?
Our team prepares complete Historic Tax Credit applications, including documentation and regulatory compliance, with proven success in securing approvals and maximizing financial benefits.
Can you work on LEED-certified projects?
Yes, our LEED Accredited Professionals integrate sustainability requirements with historic preservation standards to achieve certification while maintaining architectural integrity.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Baltimore, Washington DC, and the broader Mid-Atlantic region, with experience in diverse local preservation regulations and building codes.
How do you manage complex preservation projects?
We use a phased approach from feasibility studies through construction administration, coordinating with regulatory agencies and employing specialized preservation techniques to ensure successful project outcomes.
