Architecture By Tono in Baltimore: Residential and Institutional Design

Architecture By Tono is a small Baltimore-based firm specializing in residential renovations, additions, and institutional projects, with a focus on working directly with homeowners and nonprofit organizations on designs that fit existing neighborhoods and tight budgets.

What Architecture By Tono actually does

Tono operates as a principal-led practice, meaning the architect leads projects rather than delegating them to junior staff. The firm handles residential work across Baltimore's rowhouse neighborhoods, adaptive reuse projects, and institutional commissions for nonprofits and community organizations. Projects range from modest kitchen and bathroom renovations to full-house additions and ground-up institutional buildings. The practice is known for working in older, established neighborhoods where design must coordinate with historic fabric, zoning constraints, and existing block patterns.

Services and pricing structure

Residential projects typically proceed through three phases: schematic design, design development, and construction documents. For a kitchen or bathroom renovation with moderate scope, expect design fees in the range of $3,000 to $8,000, depending on complexity. Larger additions or whole-house projects charge on a percentage basis, commonly 8 to 12 percent of estimated construction cost, though this scales down for higher budgets. The firm also takes on institutional work at hourly rates ($150 to $200 per hour for principal time, plus junior staff support) for nonprofits with limited budgets. Confirm current rates before engagement; architectural fees reflect market conditions and project risk.

Architecture By Tono does not offer design-build services, meaning it provides design only and does not manage contractors or guarantees, which can appeal to owners who want to control bidding and construction separately but requires the owner to manage that relationship.

How it compares to other Baltimore architects

Baltimore's residential architecture market includes larger firms like Ziger/Snead, which handle high-end residential and institutional work across the Mid-Atlantic; smaller single-principal practices like those operating from Canton or Federal Hill that focus on rowhouse additions and renovations; and design-build operations that bundle design and construction. Ziger/Snead offers more brand recognition and institutional scale but charges proportionally higher fees and typically takes on larger budgets. Independent practitioners in Baltimore's residential market may charge less but often lack institutional credentials or experience with complex sites. Architecture By Tono sits between these: more structured and credentialed than a solo operator, smaller and more accessible than a full-service firm, and explicitly focused on older neighborhoods where it has worked repeatedly. Choose Tono if you have a rowhouse or institutional project, a moderate budget, and want a single architect's consistent vision. Choose a larger firm if your project is institutional and requires extensive team support or if your budget supports premium design. Choose design-build if you prefer a single point of contact and guaranteed pricing.

Who this firm suits and does not suit

The practice works well for homeowners in Federal Hill, Canton, Fells Point, and other established Baltimore neighborhoods undertaking additions, renovations, or adaptive reuse projects with existing architectural constraints. It is a good fit for nonprofits seeking institutional design on nonprofit budgets. It does not suit developers seeking speculative residential projects, commercial real estate clients, or owners wanting turnkey design-build services. Architecture By Tono also does not take on master-planning or large mixed-use projects; its focus is single buildings and site-specific design.

What the first meeting involves

Initial consultation typically covers the project scope, site constraints, budget, and timeline. The architect will ask about existing conditions, neighborhood context, and intended use. Expect to discuss whether the project requires permits and what approvals might be needed. The firm usually follows with a written proposal outlining phase deliverables, fees, and schedule. Many Baltimore projects require approval from the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP), especially in neighborhoods like Canton and Fells Point; the architect will assess this during the initial visit.

Hours, location, and logistics

Architecture By Tono operates by appointment; confirm availability and preferred meeting format before scheduling. The firm is based in Baltimore and serves the city and immediate surrounding county. Most initial consultations occur at the project site or the firm's office. No walk-in hours; all engagement begins with contact.

Architecture By Tono fills a specific niche in Baltimore's architectural market: it understands rowhouse blocks, historic neighborhoods, and constrained budgets, and it delivers design through direct principal involvement rather than delegation. For Baltimore homeowners and nonprofits pursuing careful, site-responsive design within realistic fee structures, it offers an alternative to both larger firms and unnamed solo practitioners.