Navigating Somerville: A Personal Story About Growth, Zoning, and the Evolution of Flow

When I think back to the early days of Flow, the memories land somewhere around 2017 or 2018. At the time, life was a mixture of pressure, hope, and transition. I had just left my last architecture job—ironically in Somerville—to try to build something of my own while balancing family responsibilities, studying for my ARE exams, and taking every opportunity that came my way.

Those early years were a period when every inquiry felt important. Every call mattered. I carried a deep sense of responsibility to build a practice that could support my family and honor the commitments I made to them.

One of the first inquiries that stands out was a potential renovation for a two-family home in Somerville. When I arrived, the client looked me up and down—surprised at how young I looked. He asked questions like:

“Do you know the code?”“Are you familiar with Somerville zoning?”

I answered confidently, even if at that point I hadn’t yet worked extensively within Somerville’s particular zoning language. The meeting didn’t lead anywhere, but it marked an important moment: I realized how much I wanted to grow, and how committed I was to learning whatever I needed to in order to succeed.

A Turning Point: Late 2020

Fast forward to late 2020. Right after Thanksgiving, I received a call from someone with several projects in Somerville who suddenly needed architectural support. Their previous architect had retired, and they were searching for help.

The projects themselves weren’t glamorous luxury builds—they were multi-family renovations on tight sites with even tighter deadlines. But the opportunity was meaningful for us at Flow. The client had a practical understanding of Somerville's zoning framework, and working together became a learning experience that helped us understand how to navigate the city’s unique rules and design challenges.

Those projects became a starting point for what would eventually grow into years of experience working in Somerville. Not because we set out to specialize in it, but because every project taught us something new.

Somerville: A City With Its Own Rhythm

Somerville has a character unlike any other place in Massachusetts. It’s dense, historic, and constantly evolving, with regulations that reflect its commitment to preserving neighborhood fabric while allowing thoughtful development. Working there requires patience, collaboration, and a willingness to adapt.

Over time, our team at Flow learned how to work within:

• the variety of building types found throughout the city

• zoning requirements that differ from block to block

• the process of connecting basements, attics, and additions in compliant ways

• the specifics of dormer percentages, ridge heights, and setbacks

• the review procedures of various municipal departments

  
  

But let me be very clear:This experience did not come from shortcuts or special knowledge. It came from showing up repeatedly, meeting with planners, inspectors, and reviewers, and being willing to learn from each conversation, each submittal, and each revision.

Nothing replaces experience.And Somerville gave us plenty of it.

Deadlines, Pressure, and Realities of Development

Many projects in Somerville are funded under tight timelines, where speed and accuracy matter. That environment—sometimes stressful, sometimes rewarding—taught us how to work efficiently, communicate clearly, and stay organized under pressure.

Along the way, we also became the firm that clients turned to when a project needed new direction. We’ve been asked to step into projects that were stalled or needed re-evaluation, and although those situations aren’t always easy, they have pushed us to grow.

We never claim perfection or expertise beyond our scope; we simply bring our experience, our attention, and our commitment to doing things the right way.

The Mansard Roof: A Useful Design Tool

One of the architectural elements that became particularly significant in our Somerville work is the Mansard roof.

A Quick Historical Note

The Mansard roof, dating back to 17th-century France, offers expanded usable space under a sloped exterior form. Its structure allows for:

• generous natural light

• improved ventilation

• an efficient layout on upper floors

Why It Became Relevant in Somerville

In certain contexts, the Mansard can be a practical solution for balancing design goals with zoning requirements. It offers opportunities to create functional upper levels while maintaining exterior proportions that fit the neighborhood.

We gradually incorporated this typology into several projects—not because it was a loophole or a trick, but because it was a thoughtful, historically grounded architectural response that aligned with both client needs and municipal guidelines.

An Important Milestone: 167 Albion

The knowledge gained from years of working in Somerville came together in a meaningful way at 167 Albion. This project combined our custom residential design sensibilities with the lessons learned from working within Somerville’s regulatory framework.

It represents a moment in Flow’s evolution—a place where past experience, design ambition, and collaboration all converged into a cohesive result.

Why This Story Matters

This is not a story about Flow being the “best,” or “experts,” or “masters” of anything.It’s a story about:

• showing up

• learning through repetition

• collaborating with clients and the city

• embracing challenges instead of avoiding them

• and allowing experience, not ego, to shape our work

Somerville played a meaningful role in our development as a firm. It pushed us, taught us, and challenged us in ways that expanded our capabilities and informed the work we do today.

We don’t know everything, and we never claim to.But we know how to learn—and we’ve learned a lot.

Looking Ahead

Flow continues to grow, adapt, and refine how we practice. The story of our work in Somerville is not about mastery—it’s about evolution. About staying curious. About honoring process. About the willingness to navigate complexity with humility and persistence.

And as we continue forward, the lessons we’ve learned there will stay with us—not as claims of expertise, but as chapters in a journey still being written.