Flow Design Architects — Nine Years of Growth, Gratitude, and Purpose

5 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

On February 14, we celebrated nine years of FLOW.

Nine years of growth.

Nine years of resilience.

Nine years of believing in something before we fully understood what it would become.

The Beginning

I never knew I would start a firm.

When I came to the United States in 2010, my focus was simple: continue my education, learn English, and work hard for an established architectural office. Although I had already met Marcos, my current partner and cofounder, opening a practice was never part of the plan.

I worked at nearly ten different firms. Each experience shaped me, and many people tried to support my growth — mentors and colleagues who continue to inspire and guide me today. Yet, despite their efforts, I never fully felt I belonged within those structures. I struggled to see myself advancing within a traditional hierarchy.

Eventually, something clicked.

The realization wasn’t that those environments were wrong — it was that my path might be different.

FLOW was born from that realization.

And truthfully, FLOW would not exist without the many mentors, partners, and friends who supported us along the way.

From Small Beginnings to Expanding Horizons

Over nine years, FLOW has evolved dramatically.

We began as a small firm able to hire primarily interns and international students — individuals who, like us, were searching for opportunity and belonging. Today, we are a robust and diverse team with a strong sense of identity, permanence, and purpose within the industry.

Our work has expanded from single-family renovations to a wide range of impactful projects, including:

Multifamily housing
Affordable housing initiatives
Housing Authority work
Modern residential design
Daycare and community projects
NOWON Restaurant at 121 Seaport
Collaborations with organizations such as TND (The Neighborhood Developers), Making Opportunity Count (MOC), and the Somerville Community Development Coalition.

After eight years of persistence, we also achieved a milestone by securing projects through EOHLC and the Designer Selection Board (DSB) — a moment that affirmed the long path we had been walking.

A key turning point came when we began accepting projects we knew we could deliver exceptionally well, including multifamily affordable housing — work we had long aspired to but had not initially been given the opportunity to pursue.

The Power of Community and Partnership

FLOW’s story is not one of individual success; it is one of collective effort.

We are deeply grateful to the partners, collaborators, and organizations who opened doors and believed in us, including firms such as Dream Collaborative, Perkins&Will, CBT Architects, Studio Luz, and many others.

We are thankful to community leaders and collaborators — Peter Souhleris, Cynthia Nina-Soto, Fabio Construction, Christopher Iacoviello, Juan Carlos Giron, Yoleny Ynoa, Domingo Dominguez, Óscar Guerrero, and countless others whose friendship and partnership continue to shape our journey.

The list is truly endless.

Assisting Local & International Non-Profits

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — Lived, Not Just Spoken

For us, diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) is not a slogan — it is lived experience.

FLOW itself is an example of what EDI can look like when it is real: a diverse team, diverse voices, and diverse pathways to leadership.

We have welcomed talent from around the world. Over nine years, more than forty designers have passed through FLOW — not as a sign of turnover, but as evidence of growth and propagation. Many have gone on to establish their own firms or leadership roles, carrying forward the design philosophy and mentorship they experienced here.

Each story represents thriving — not given, but earned.

Giving Back as a Core Value

FLOW has always believed that success must include service.

We have contributed to nonprofits, underrepresented communities, and educational outreach, visiting preschools, middle schools, and high schools to inspire young minds through architecture and design.

Today, we take this commitment one step further.

We are completing two homes for families in need. One family has already moved in, and the second home is nearing completion.

We are not sharing this to promote ourselves — but to demonstrate what is possible.

You do not need to be a large firm to make a meaningful difference.

We have learned that giving fulfills us more deeply than receiving.

Progress Construction - Flow Wish Colombia

Recognition Along the Journey

In nine years, FLOW has received honors that reflect not only design excellence but community impact, including:

Boston Magazine Rising Star Award (2023)
Emerging Designer Awards from the Boston Architectural College (2019 & 2023)
AIA National Young Architect Award (2024)
AIA Film Challenge People’s Choice Award (2022)
40 Under 40 BBJ (2024)

These recognitions affirm our belief that architecture extends beyond buildings — it is about people, community, and storytelling.

The Heart of FLOW: Our Team

At the core of FLOW is our staff.

From early international interns to experienced designers, every member has contributed to shaping who we are. Through training programs, mentorship, and a culture of empowerment, we strive to create an environment where individuals grow into confident and independent leaders.

Our goal has never been to hold talent back — but to help it flourish, even beyond our walls.