Residential Architecture

New homes designed from the landscape outward.

We begin where the site begins — with topography, light, trees, and water. The building follows from there.

New Construction

A home that belongs to its land.

We begin every new residence by understanding the land — its topography, tree canopy, solar orientation, prevailing winds, view corridors, and setback constraints. These shape the building before the floor plan does. We try to make a house that sits quietly with its site.

Our new construction practice spans compact houses and larger family compounds. What they share is an attempt to be light on the land: disturb the site as little as we can, use breathable assemblies, and choose materials that can age and be repaired.

What We Design

Custom residences of all scales.

We work on custom residences of many scales, from main houses to guest cottages, pool structures, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The work can run from schematic design through design development, construction documentation, permitting, contractor selection and bidding, and construction administration to certificate of occupancy.

Zander Auerbach is a licensed architect in Massachusetts. We take on projects throughout New England and beyond. We work in Lincoln and Concord, on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod, in Boston and greater Boston, and in Maine, Vermont, Montana, and California.

Materials & Methods

Materials that can be repaired.

New construction at Auerbach Architecture uses traditional biogenic materials: linseed oil paint, lime plaster, hempcrete, straw and wool insulation, and locally sourced or reclaimed timber. These materials are permeable to water vapor — assemblies can dry, which makes rot less likely.

We do not use spray foam in concealed assemblies, vinyl-binder paints, or extruded plastic cladding. Read more about our methods.

Questions

About new home design.

How long does it take to design and build a custom home?

Most new custom residences take 18 to 36 months from first meeting to occupancy. Design and documentation typically runs 6–12 months, permitting 2–6 months depending on jurisdiction, and construction 9–15 months.

What does a new custom home cost to build?

Construction costs vary significantly by region, scale, and specification. Our projects typically range from $600 to $1,200+ per square foot, with premium finishes and remote locations at the higher end. Architecture fees run 8–15% of construction cost.

Do you work with the client's contractor or select one for them?

Both. We can work with a contractor you have already identified, or we can run a competitive bid process and help you select from local builders we have worked with.