DBVW Architects promotes
Kuhns, Hughes and Morrison

Providence, RI Karissa Kuhns, AIA, LEED AP; Tami Hughes; and Nealia Morrison, AIA, AP LEED BD+C, of DBVW Architects have been promoted to associate principal and joined the firm’s shareholders.

“As we look back and celebrate the last 30 years of our practice, we are equally excited about celebrating the future of DBVW Architects,” said senior principals Douglas Brown, Martha Werenfels, Michael Viveiros and principal Pierson Booher sin a statement. “At this important juncture, we are delighted to elevate three key members of our team, Nealia, Tami, and Karissa, to associate principal. Each of these individuals has played a critical role in the success of DBVW Architects and we are delighted to welcome them to the leadership team.”

Kuhns, Hughes, and Morrison have a combined 40 years at Providence-based DBVW.

Kuhns is a leader in DBVW’s multi-family residential team with 18 years of experience designing projects such as multi-building residential complexes.

She often works with non-profits clients to create affordable and market rate multi-family housing developments in a way that fulfills a significant housing need and makes a real difference in many of our communities.

“As a firm, our shared success is a testament to the exceptional relationships we have built. As a team, we’ve fostered leadership, achieved remarkable milestones, and made positive impacts on local communities,” said Kuhns. “I look forward to seizing new opportunities together, collaborating with our amazing partners and am proud to be a part of our success story.”

Hughes has been at DBVW for 12 years and specializes in some of the firm’s most technically challenging higher education and theater projects, blending historic preservation and new construction with the needs of today.

Outside the office, she is a co-founder of the Rhode Island Minorities in Architecture & Design (RIMiAD) organization and an award-winning mentor who serves on the board of the ACE Mentor Program of RI, which connects high school students to the architecture, construction, and engineering fields.

“DBVW is like a family to me, and I am happy to have found a community that fosters personal and professional growth,” Hughes said. “I am honored to have been invited to invest in the future of the firm and I am committed to its ongoing success.”

Morrison has become an essential member and leader of DBVW’s historic preservation team since joining the firm 10 years ago, managing complex preservation and restoration projects at some of the region’s most iconic historic landmarks.

Whether it’s a historic mansion in Newport or significant historic buildings at an Ivy League university, Morrison is an expert at ensuring the beauty of the past is preserved for the future.

“DBVW’s dedication to exceptional design through fostering a strong sense of community has inspired me from day one, and I’m thrilled to play a role in its ongoing legacy,” Morrison said. “I’m especially proud to continue to advance DBVW’s work preserving and celebrating historic structures and craftsmanship.”

With hundreds of projects completed throughout New England during the firm’s 30-year history, the addition of these new shareholders, who are committed to the mission of DBVW Architects positions the firm for continued success and growth in the future