Studio 111 Architecture

JP is a well-respected architect who provides knowledgable advice, is easy to work with and willing to make adjustments as needed until the project is complete. While we haven't built our deck yet, we know that the drawings and materials list JP provided will serve us well in the project, and that he will be available should we have questions or concerns as we go. JP has a wide range of design experience and can also recommend GCs.

JP worked with me over the course of nearly a year as my project (a powder room addition) was conceptualized, designed, and began to be built. Unfortunately, due to a dispute with a neighbor, the project was unable to be completed, but JP remained a great (and patient) source of counsel on both design and construction up until the project closed. While I can't speak to the outcomes, I can say that when I mentioned his name folks from whom I was planning to buy my flooring, fixtures, and finishes, there was universal praise for his work.

The project went great. JP helped us come up with some great options and alternatives that didn't compromise the design while saving us some extra cash. We were out of town a lot during construction, so JP served as a project manager for us, keeping us updated on progress, verifying the work done was to the specs, and keeping everything roughly on schedule (we had some unexpected but unavoidable delays due to weather and materials not being in stock). We'll definitely give him a call the next time we need some help!

It went very smooth from beginning to end. He was very helpful with design, permit submission and during construction when questions would arise.

My wife and I were considering adding a new bedroom onto our house and weren't exactly sure where to start. We had a basic idea of what we wanted, but didn't know how to go about hiring professionals, the permitting process with the city, or what project issues that might come up that we hadn't thought about. Studio 111 (more specifically, JP Donohue) organized a meeting schedule for us to review our project ideas, personal tastes, financial constraints, and overall project goals. He was very helpful in navigating administrative requirements with the city and led a competitive bidding process for a general contractor. We actually ended up hiring the contractor that he had worked with before and recommended. JP also gave us ideas for our project that we hadn't thought of that definitely added value to our home and improved our housing design. We would definitely recommend JP to those seeking architecture services.

JP was very efficient and responsive. He helped interface with the contractor and was able to provide oversight during the construction. His prices were fair and the results worked out well.

Great value for the money. Always top notch service and quick to respond to design/ construction questions throughout the entire project lifecycle.

I found Studio 111 Architects on Angie's list just as I was about to give up on rehabbing a house. When I called to inquire about service, I found that the person who contacted me right away was no other than JP Donohue. After the first couple of minutes of our conversation, my mind was at ease and I knew I found the right man for the job. JP met me at my house and, after I expressed to him what I wanted he went to work on a project that once seemed impossible. I would describe his professionalism as unwavering when I had to hire a new builder just before the job was to get underway. JP helped me find a man, who owns a company called Davario Construction. JP worked with Eric Davario on the details of the plans and together, they worked hand in hand to make every idea I had a reality. JP took the time to meet me at various places as I picked out all of the little details of my home and, was quick to help and advise me on things if I was making a bad choice. I found JP Donohue of Studio 111 Architects to be professional, intelligent, warm, funny and most of all, caring. You can actually see and feel, just how much JP Donohue cared about his work. He stayed with the project start to finish, showing up on the job site regularly to make sure things were going as planned. After spending roughly a year, working and planing designs and details with JP Donohue I will call him a friend. No matter the size of the project you desire, I would recommend this man to anyone who wants to achieve their goals.

JP Donohue / Studio 111 rendered drawings and sent the proposal to "his construction manager" for pricing.  Price was HIGH, so we asked for an itemized construction estimate. We waited two weeks, then JP Donohue told us, ?I think, it is what is. You won?t get it itemized.? We felt forced to hire ?his construction manager? because Studio 111?s contract included clauses stating we could not take his drawings elsewhere.
Our home was built in 1905, we wanted a design/build firm to create a cohesive look throughout the house. We didn?t need an architect for the windows but because we were adding new (previously non-existent) windows and door, we wanted them to match the original windows in size and feel, inside and out. Neither JP Donohue nor his ?construction manager? supervised the replacement windows. In fact, JP Donohue / Studio 111 refused to have any involvement in the quality and completion of the replacement windows. Studio 111 / JP Donohue completely dropped the ball. The new windows are the wrong size! Installed differently, without window sills.
JP Donohue denies even measuring the windows.Several months later, when JP did visit, we asked if he wanted to see the windows, he said, ?no.? Studio 111/JP Donohue denied responsibility and flatly refused to even look at the work.We could/should have hired a replacement window company. The job would have been  completed six (plus) months earlier, 50% cheaper and no doubt a much nicer job.
In March 2015, JP Donohue / Studio 111?s ?construction manager? backed out of the job. JP Donohue said, ?we?ll just put it out for bids again.? When we pointed out that we were NEVER presented with bids in the first place, JP Donohue denied that, too, and informed us he was no longer a design build firm.
We approved JP Donohue / Studio 111 drawings for the addition. The drawing reflects the construction of a NEW common wall in the addition, which was not needed (or built). The dimensions of the addition became smaller and the positioning of the back door changed. JP Donohue / Studio 111 was not available before or during City Inspections. He never addressed our questions regarding the wall. Certainly the price of construction included this wall.
JP Donohue of Studio 111?s  layout of inside of the addition was awkward at best. According to JP Donohue, he "didn't like the layout either" but ?I?ll he would be here so we can work it out, once there was an actual structure.?Later, when my contractor needed specifics in regards to placement of electric and water lines, I drew the layout.Our contractor smartly suggested raising the ceiling in the addition. This made such a huge difference giving a spacious feel to the small space.
JP Donohue / Studio 111?s deck drawings reflected our desire for no railings. Structural issues arose during construction. The deck drawings showed 10 inch joists (you could land a helicopter) and lacked ANY elevations in the drawings. Because the elevations were not taken into account, the deck required railing around the entire deck!  
Our contract with Studio 111 states that elevations were included. By the time JP Donohue / Studio 111 got back to my contractor, the deck had been constructed. More unnecessary dollars spent.
JP Donohue of Studio 111 never showed for City Inspections. He was never here when the inspector was here.  We had clarified many times throughout the process that JP Donohue / Studio 111 would be present for ALL inspections.  JP repeatedly assured us he would be here.  However, JP Donohue / Studio 111 either looked over work before it was completed or long after it was covered by cement, drywall or flooring.
JP Donohue was rude and dismissive. He always had an excuse and never once admitted to a problem. More often than not, he was late. Studio 111 / JP Donohue drew up our contracts with ?his construction manager? using AIA (American Institute of Architects) Contract forms. He now claims no responsibility in those contracts.
The following is the ?Concept? page of Studio 111?s website;
?As a design/build company, we offer clients an opportunity to work with the same friendly, familiar, and professional team for the duration of a project. ... The ?traditional? flow of a construction project involves two separate entities; an architect and a general contractor. Both work for you, but are rarely in contact with each other. This means the architect draws up the plans, hands them over to you ? then the General Contractor takes these plans and begins the physical work, assuming no liability or responsibility for the structural or physical layout of the site. With a design/Build entity, however, we take complete responsibility for the planning, design, and practical execution of a project.?
This was NOT our experience.

unknown

JP Donohue and his crew are extremely professional, dedicated and proficient.  They were patient with us during a period of uncertainty as we made painful decisions regarding a family property.  JP offered his support and professional opinions as requested which aided us in making the best decision for us at this stage.  I highly recommend JP Donohue and Studio111 and look forward to working with them in the future!

unknown

Eli and JP expressed compassion and understanding about issues that were specific to our family and worked patiently with us.  Their professionalism and willingness to answer all of my (endless!) questions allowed my husband and I to arrive at the decision that was right for our home and our family.  As a result, their company did not end up benefitting financially; however, the most attractive aspect of this company for me was the humanity with which they approached our situation and our needs (a rare find in the construction business.)  This team of designers and builders struck as extremely talented and if the occasion arose where we needed anything built or added on to our home I would absolutely call them or recommend them to a friend.

I am exploring new pricing options with this provider

They were great! They met with us, looked at the space, and gave us some initial ideas on cost. When we are ready for our remodel we will definitely bid to studio 111! They were professional and you can tell they take pride in their company.

I asked S111 to come in and bid on a very large project, which was the reconstruction of the front of my house. They came over two or maybe three times and provided two separate bids (as requested.) It was a tough call, but I didn't end up going with S111. But they almost won the bid. (Again, it was a tough call.) They were very responsive to each phone call, were available via email, and I felt they were capable of performing the work (50-60k of work.) Even though they have in-house architects, they were willing to work with my own architect during the project. The two Principals at S111 are easy to communicate with and not difficult to deal with at all.

They ever return my call  to stars with.

Eli and JP were very nice and professional, and came by 2 separate times to complete the estimate they gave us. Unfortunately they were toward the top end of quotes we received and while I'm sure their rates are fair, we actually went with someone recommended to us who charges extremely low rates (probably too low for his own good) AND delivers fantastic quality.
We received several quotes in this range (28K) and given the choice between the 3 of them, would have gone with Studio 111 in a heartbeat. I actually ran into Eli at Provenance while searching for doors and he answered several pocket door questions I had, and inquired about how the project was going. I would absolutely use them in the future if money wasn't a deciding factor.

fantastic advice!

Tried to schedule an appointment for after work.  He said he only meets during office hours.  Scheduled with him for 12 noon at our home.  Took a half day from work to be there.  Never showed up.  Called him at 1pm to find out what happened.  He could not remember us.  Then said he remembered us but forgot to add us to his calendar.  Can't even show up.  Not a good start.  He tried to smooth it over by saying he would meet after work but the damage was all ready done.

I knew JP Donohue personally before working with him on our office in Old City.    I am a partner in a small architecture firm in Old City, and I recommended to my partner and colleagues that we use JP to do the work to our Old City office.  The project involved re-using some old doors salvaged from a project site.  The doors were covered with a new laminate, and installed over a rather complicated steel bracket system manufactured by Studio 111.  The project turned out to be more complicated than predicted, but JP rolled with it, and never asked for additional fee for the work. 
Studio 111 also rehabilitated our office front door, which was a typical Old City exterior door -- leaky, hung poorly and heavy.  He fully replaced the weather seals and hardware on the door, re-hung it in place, and refinished it.  It now works perfectly.
I have recommended Studio 111 to other people.  At least one of the projects listed on this site (under his reviews) came from my recommendation, and I would do so again.  JP and Eli are very ethical and hardworking people.   These qualities combined with their experience and knowledge of construction makes them an excellent choice for any prospective homeowner (or office upgrader).

I met with both JP and Elliot on a Saturday afternoon at a local coffee
shop.  My first impression was that they were punctual and cordial.  I
wanted to discuss some prospects for new construction, specifically I
was interested in building on a lot in the Graduate Hospital area. 
We spoke for over an hour, discussing layouts, variances, neighborhood
organizations, garages and other matters pertaining to the difficulties
of building on the particular lot I referenced.  They seemed familiar
with the process and well-versed.  Prior to our meeting, they had
contacted their staff and obtained an estimate for tying into the city's
water and sewage lines, something that I had not asked them to do. 
This information was particularly helpful.
I found their rough estimate (40k to 60k a floor) to be a fair estimate.  As we left the
meeting, I requested that they actually check out the lot and give me
their impressions.  A couple days later, I received an email that made
it clear they had not only visited the lot, but had given serious
consideration to some of the ideas we discussed at the meeting. 
Ultimately, the limitations of the lot proved to be the death knell for any new construction plans.

They spent several hours doing a complete survey of the property and taking measurements.  This is a large building and the four units are not identical, so this was quite a bit more than the average set of drawings.  They provided great sets of drawings and were very responsive regarding some minor modifications to the drawings.  I also learned quite a bit about the construction of the building and possible modifications from discussions while they were there.  I highly recommend them.

Great experience overall. Working with Studio 111 Design Build was a great experience from start to finish. Their work looks fantastic, they were professional and punctual. They are truly a first-class operation. Working with JP was a pleasure. He is smart, professional and really knows his stuff. I would highly recommend them and would work with them again if the need arises.