Curry Architects in Baltimore: Design-Build Residential Focus for Renovation and New Construction

Curry Architects is a residential design firm based in Baltimore that handles renovation projects, new home construction, and adaptive reuse work across the city and surrounding counties. The practice operates at a mid-size scale, taking on detailed single-family projects and small multifamily work rather than large commercial development, and brings a design-first approach to problems where existing structure, budget constraints, or code compliance shape the outcome.

What Curry Architects Actually Does

The firm specializes in residential architecture with particular depth in renovation work. That means the majority of projects begin with an existing house, not a blank site. They work with homeowners and contractors to redesign interiors, add square footage, reconfigure floor plans, and integrate mechanical systems into older homes. They also handle new construction on infill lots common in Baltimore neighborhoods and take on adaptive reuse projects where commercial or industrial buildings become residential. The practice is small enough to give individual projects sustained attention and large enough to manage the permitting, code navigation, and construction documentation that renovation in Baltimore requires.

Scope of Services and Typical Fee Structure

Curry Architects charges for design work in phases: schematic design, design development, and construction documents. Schematic design, where the architect explores concepts and tests feasibility, typically costs between $3,000 and $8,000 depending on project complexity and scope. This phase answers whether a renovation idea works before the client commits to full documentation. Design development refines the chosen approach and may run $4,000 to $12,000. Construction documents, the detailed plans contractors bid and build from, generally range from $8,000 to $20,000 for a residential project, with larger or more complex jobs moving higher. Some architects in Baltimore charge a percentage of construction cost (typically 5 to 10 percent) instead of fixed fees; Curry Architects uses phased fees, which means clients can stop after schematic design if they choose, rather than committing to the full fee upfront. Ask about hourly rates for post-construction clarifications or minor revisions; many firms charge $150 to $250 per hour for this work.

The firm also provides consultation on a smaller scale. A few hours of advice on whether a renovation is feasible, how to approach permits, or how to think about a space typically costs $500 to $1,500 and can prevent costly mistakes before a project goes further.

How Curry Architects Compares to Other Baltimore Options

Baltimore has architectural firms across a wide range of scales and specialties. Large firms like Ayers Saint Gross and Gensler take on institutional, commercial, and large residential projects; they bring deep resources but operate at a different price point and rarely work on single-family renovations. Smaller sole-practitioner architects offer lower fees but may have longer turnaround times or less bandwidth for complex permitting. Curry Architects sits in the middle: experienced enough to handle Baltimore's regulatory landscape and the technical challenges of renovation, but small and focused enough to give a single project real attention. Choose Curry if you want a firm that understands renovation complexity and won't treat your project as a small task within a larger portfolio. Choose a larger firm if your project requires specialized expertise (historic preservation, high-rise, institutional work) that smaller practices do not routinely handle.

Many Baltimore homeowners also work with general contractors who hire architects on a project-by-project basis, rather than engaging an architect directly. This approach can work for straightforward projects but often leads to design compromise or missed opportunities because the contractor, not a designer, drives early decisions. Hiring an architect independently ensures the design is your priority from the start.

Who Should Use Curry Architects and Who Should Look Elsewhere

Curry Architects suits homeowners planning significant renovations in Baltimore, particularly those in neighborhoods where existing character matters and the goal is thoughtful redesign rather than cosmetic refresh. If you own a rowhouse and want to reconfigure the second floor, add a rear addition, or modernize mechanicals while preserving the street facade, this is the right fit. Homeowners doing new construction on an infill lot in Canton, Fells Point, or a similar neighborhood will also find the firm's experience relevant. Choose Curry if you want design input from the beginning and are willing to invest in proper documentation.

Do not choose this firm if you need quick turnaround on a pre-designed renovation (e.g., a minor kitchen refresh with no layout change), because the phased design process takes time. Do not use an independent architect if you are not committed to following professional documentation; working with an architect only to ignore their plans wastes money. Do not expect this firm to handle commercial or institutional work; the practice is residential only.

What the First Consultation Involves

Initial meetings are typically 30 to 60 minutes and may be free or charged at a reduced rate. Come prepared with photos of your current space, a clear statement of what you want to accomplish, your budget ballpark, and any constraints (narrow lot, historic district requirements, existing structural issues). The architect will ask about your timeline, how you plan to finance the work, and whether you have a contractor lined up. This conversation helps both sides assess fit. If you proceed, you will sign a services agreement outlining the scope, fees, and timeline for the schematic design phase. Most projects move through schematic design in 4 to 8 weeks; the full design process typically takes 3 to 4 months.

Hours, Location, and Practical Logistics

Curry Architects operates from an office in Baltimore; confirm the exact address and hours before your first visit, as small architectural practices often accommodate clients by appointment rather than drop-in visits. Most communication happens via email, phone, and in-person meetings at the office or on-site at your project. The firm is local, which means the architect understands Baltimore zoning, the permitting process at the Department of Planning, the quirks of renovation in historic districts, and how local contractors work. That familiarity can shorten timelines and avoid costly mistakes.

Curry Architects serves Baltimore homeowners seeking serious design work on renovation and new construction projects where attention to detail and local expertise matter. The firm's residential focus and phased fee structure make it a straightforward choice for projects that have moved past the wish-list stage and require professional documentation and permitting guidance.