our team’s collective history is deeply rooted in collaborative, innovative, and award-winning design

saam (pronounced “sahm”) is a multi-lingual descriptor that translates as “together.” Saam Architecture was founded in June 2014 by Diana Nicklaus and Jacobus (Koos) Louw, both of whom prioritized a highly collaborative, flexible, remote work model in creating the firm. Saam’s projects span a multitude of sectors, including: K-12, higher education, aviation, workplace, federal agencies, and arts/cultural organizations. Since its establishment, Saam’s team has grown substantially to 40 staff members, drawing talent from other high-profile Boston architectural studios to bring together diverse backgrounds and skill sets, enabling us to take a holistic approach to total design.

Saam is certified as a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) through the Federal Contracting Program, a WBE (Woman-Owned Business Enterprise) in Massachusetts, a DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) through the Unified Certification Program in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and a WBE/SLBE by the city of Boston. Saam Architecture is committed to a progressive and equitable approach to the practice of architecture, which enables us to deliver highly collaborative and award-winning design.

Collaboration is central to our approach to architecture: we provide responsible design solutions based upon our clients’ goals. Our clients are not only serviced by responsive, flexible individuals who value trust and open communication, but also provided with extensive agency through their input into the project design, specifications, and execution.

We are a truly mobile professional service provider. Our clients are located throughout New England and the Northeastern United States. A number of our team members live outside a one hour commute from our studio. Investing in collaboration technology enables the Saam team to service clients from our Boston studio, from our homes or from the clients’ office or project site locations. When the need arises to be at clients’ offices or project sites we intentionally use the opportunity for personal client interaction by scheduling on-site project team work sessions that coincides with regular project meetings.

The Saam team is equipped with high-powered laptops with the most current versions of software including Revit Server. We have direct access to a wireless VPN network that allows total mobility and unified teamwork from any location at any time and we can enable access for all design team members to the Revit model through real-time VPN access. Our policy towards mobility and collaborative technology ensures that the geographical location of our Boston-based office relative to our clients’ office and/or project locations has no bearing on our ability to effectively service clients and projects.

The majority of our projects have achieved LEED certification including Gold level. We are familiar with the LEED process from concept through to final certification. We incorporate sustainable practices throughout the design process as a rule. We interpret the guidelines and where sensible, practical and economical, integrate it with our own sustainable ideas to deliver to our clients projects that are truly user friendly, energy efficient and sustainable.

Saam’s approach to sustainability is an inherent part of the business model. With an attrition rate of less than 6%, our first commitment is to the sustainability of our team. By offering flexible and remote work schedules, as well as unlimited vacation, our team sustains a strong work life balance while providing a high level of client service. In addition, we have documented that this model allows us to reduce our collective greenhouse gas emissions by over 40% when compared to a standard 9-5 office-based approach.