Firm Profile
A Multidisciplinary Architecture Firm Based in Baltimore, MA, Since 2010
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The Adams Design Group (the ADG) was founded in May 2010 on the principles of collaboration and strategic partnerships, bringing together talent and expertise across various design disciplines to provide design solutions for built and unbuilt environments.
The ADG is a minority-owned architecture firm founded on the belief that the practice of architecture is not only a vocation that delivers a product but a service as well. Architects are problem-solvers. Above all else, we provide design solutions to problems that exist within the natural and man-made environments that surround us so humanity can interact effectively within those environments and with each other.
The ADG is a minority-owned architecture firm founded on the belief that the practice of architecture is not only a vocation that delivers a product but a service as well. Architects are problem-solvers. Above all else, we provide design solutions to problems that exist within the natural and man-made environments that surround us so humanity can interact effectively within those environments and with each other.
History
“Necessity is the mother of invention.”
In May 2010, Derrick A. Adams founded the ADG during an economic recession. Having been laid off and unemployed, and with the encouragement of his wife and business partner, he founded the ADG out of necessity for his family and clients.
Not having the capital to start a traditional architecture firm, Adams started the firm virtually with staff members working remotely and grew the firm through old and new relationships. Collaboration and strategic partnerships are established to leverage resources and services for new and existing clients. In some ways, he was ahead of the curve, a visionary in the practice of architecture. So, in 2020, when the Coronavirus pandemic covered the world, the ADG was established through distance and remote working.
Not having the capital to start a traditional architecture firm, Adams started the firm virtually with staff members working remotely and grew the firm through old and new relationships. Collaboration and strategic partnerships are established to leverage resources and services for new and existing clients. In some ways, he was ahead of the curve, a visionary in the practice of architecture. So, in 2020, when the Coronavirus pandemic covered the world, the ADG was established through distance and remote working.
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Quality People
“Quality people coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” - Henry Ford
To create highly functional teams, we believe in bringing the best people together to make a successful project. For us, this is an integrated process where the client is a co-designer working closely with our team of architects and engineers. Projects take time to complete, so it is best to have not only talented people who can get the job done but also people who can connect and interact well within a team environment. Being the best is not only a measure of a person’s talent but also their character. Decency, dignity, and integrity are qualities that we look for in the people who work for us and, subsequently, work with you.
Quality Service
“Building a good customer experience does not happen by accident, it happens by design.” - Clare Muscutt
Quality service is important in today’s highly competitive economy. There is no shortage of service providers that deliver the same products and services. To distinguish ourselves, we provide quality service that is responsive to our clients’ needs with attention to detail. Manners still matter. Often, clients will remember the quality of the service they received and the customer experience above the product itself.
Quality Design
Philosophy
“Every building or space should be designed with the intent of being an award winner. If not, at least design a place that gives the user something by which to remember it.” - Derrick Adams
Each building is unique and has its own set of special circumstances, so it should not be a product of a cookie-cutter approach. Great aesthetics is the center of quality design. But we also believe that quality design extends beyond aesthetics and into the functionality of the space for the end users and the sustainability of the space for the environment.
Each building is unique and has its own set of special circumstances, so it should not be a product of a cookie-cutter approach. Great aesthetics is the center of quality design. But we also believe that quality design extends beyond aesthetics and into the functionality of the space for the end users and the sustainability of the space for the environment.
Process
Although every project is different, projects have the same or similar design process. For many of our clients, design and construction are not their areas of expertise. The ADG is a Total Project Management (TPM) firm where design is collaborative, interactive, and not isolated to the architect. The project stakeholders are at the table at the outset of a project. At this stage, we partner with our clients to implement our five-step design process—DISCOVER, DISCUSS, COLLABORATE, EXECUTE, and EVALUATE—in helping them achieve their goals.
DISCOVER is where we learn and understand the project scope, parameters, and “end game.” We learn about our client and the scope of work while understanding the steps for achieving those goals. Once we know, we DISCUSS the scope of work internally and with our design team.
We DISCUSS the project with our team members and the client in an analytical way by determining the architectural impact on the project; identifying the tasks, schedule, and cost parameters; and knowing the project deliverables.
Then, we COLLABORATE with the design team and the client, keeping in mind that we are coming alongside the client to provide the necessary services to ensure the design process goes smoothly so we achieve our project goals and objectives.
EXECUTE is putting the plan into action, or “gettin’ it done,” while discussing and collaborating with our team members throughout the project execution.
At the conclusion of each phase, we EVALUATE our effort and deliverables to make sure we are staying on task, meeting the project objectives, and providing the client with what they want: the service and required deliverables. By evaluating our effort, we develop best practices and lessons learned from previous projects or phases within the current project.
DISCOVER is where we learn and understand the project scope, parameters, and “end game.” We learn about our client and the scope of work while understanding the steps for achieving those goals. Once we know, we DISCUSS the scope of work internally and with our design team.
We DISCUSS the project with our team members and the client in an analytical way by determining the architectural impact on the project; identifying the tasks, schedule, and cost parameters; and knowing the project deliverables.
Then, we COLLABORATE with the design team and the client, keeping in mind that we are coming alongside the client to provide the necessary services to ensure the design process goes smoothly so we achieve our project goals and objectives.
EXECUTE is putting the plan into action, or “gettin’ it done,” while discussing and collaborating with our team members throughout the project execution.
At the conclusion of each phase, we EVALUATE our effort and deliverables to make sure we are staying on task, meeting the project objectives, and providing the client with what they want: the service and required deliverables. By evaluating our effort, we develop best practices and lessons learned from previous projects or phases within the current project.
