Tejjy in Baltimore: Residential Architecture for Renovation and New Construction
Tejjy is a Baltimore-based residential architecture firm focused on single-family home renovation, addition design, and new construction in older neighborhoods. The practice operates at a smaller scale than large commercial firms, positioning itself to handle detailed work in Federal Hill, Canton, and other historic districts where code compliance and period-appropriate design matter.
What Tejjy actually does
Tejjy specializes in the kind of architectural problems that define Baltimore renovation work: converting basement spaces in 1920s rowhouses, adding second stories to modest Victorians, and designing new infill homes on vacant lots while respecting neighborhood character. The firm takes projects from initial concept drawings through permit submission and construction administration, meaning an architect visits the site during building phases to ensure the design is executed correctly.
Most Baltimore architects who handle residential work fall into one of three models. Large firms like Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse focus on commercial and mixed-use development; smaller generalist architects handle all building types; Tejjy occupies a middle position by concentrating exclusively on homes. That focus reduces the variety of problem-solving across project types but deepens experience with the specific challenges of Baltimore's housing stock and zoning code.
Services and typical project scope
Tejjy charges for architectural services on a percentage-of-construction-cost basis, a standard model in residential practice. For a renovation budgeted at $200,000 to $500,000, architectural fees typically run 8 to 12 percent of the total build cost. A new addition or larger renovation can shift that percentage lower, around 6 to 8 percent, because the work scales but the overhead does not. Verify current rates directly, as fee structures adjust with market conditions.
Services include site analysis and code research, schematic design (the first visual concept phase), design development (where details like window placement and material specs take shape), permit drawings (what you submit to Baltimore's Department of Housing), and construction administration (site visits during building). Most residential projects also require drawings submitted to Baltimore's Historic Preservation Commission if the house falls within a protected district, adding complexity and timeline that Tejjy factors into the scope.
Common project types include kitchen and bath remodels with structural changes, basement finishing with egress windows and proper ceiling height, second-story additions on rowhouses, and adaptive reuse of non-residential buildings into homes. Tejjy does not typically handle small cosmetic work like painting or cabinetry selection without structural change, as those fall outside architecture's scope.
How Tejjy compares to other Baltimore architects
Baltimore has roughly 200 licensed architects across all practice types. For residential-only work, Tejjy competes most directly against solo practitioners and two- to five-person firms scattered across the city. Larger firms like Ayers Saint Gross, while excellent, operate at different fee scales and prefer larger projects that justify their overhead. Smaller one-person operations cost less per hour but may lack resources for complex permit coordination or construction administration on multiple projects simultaneously.
Choose Tejjy if your project involves historic district review, addition design requiring structural engineering, or renovation that touches multiple systems. Choose a smaller solo architect if your budget is under $150,000 and you are managing permitting and construction yourself. Choose a larger general firm only if you need coordinated work across commercial and residential spaces or a firm with broad sector experience.
Who benefits and who does not
Tejjy suits homeowners in Federal Hill, Canton, Fells Point, Roland Park, and other neighborhoods where design continuity and historic sensitivity affect the success of a project. It works well for clients who will spend $200,000 or more on renovation or new construction and want an architect involved from start to finish. It also suits projects requiring Historic Preservation Commission approval, where missteps in design or documentation cost time and money.
Tejjy is not the right fit for quick cosmetic jobs, owner-builder projects where someone else is managing design, or homes outside historic districts where code and neighbor context matter less. It is also a poor match if you need an architect primarily for permit drawings and then plan to hire a different contractor without construction administration; that model works, but it fragments accountability.
What a first engagement involves
Initial consultation typically focuses on understanding your budget, timeline, and the specific problem you are solving. Tejjy will visit your site, assess existing conditions, and identify what permits or Historic Preservation Commission review you will likely need. From there, you move into a formal proposal that specifies which phases you are contracting for (some clients hire architects only for design and permit drawings, then manage construction independently).
Early conversations should clarify whether the architect will conduct a structural assessment or refer you to a structural engineer, how many design iterations are included before you are charged for revisions, and whether the firm can recommend contractors or if you are sourcing those independently.
Hours, contact, and logistics
Tejjy operates by appointment; residential architecture is not a walk-in service. Work happens both in-office and on-site. Confirm current hours and project intake availability by contacting the firm directly, as small practices often adjust scheduling based on active project phases.
Tejjy's focus on detail and long-term relationships with Baltimore contractors and the Historic Preservation Commission makes it reliable for projects where getting the design right matters more than moving fast.
