Architectural Services

At KRAUS-FITCH ARCHITECTS, INC. we believe that quality programming and design involves carefully listening to and meeting client needs. We choose to be active stewards of our community and planet by focusing our practice on projects that are ecologically and socially relevant. Cohousing is one of the primary areas of our expertise: we have worked with over 2-dozen communities in the past 15 years, and have lived at Pioneer Valley Cohousing since its completion in 1994.

Our approach emphasizes group process to build consensus with cohousing member groups and the design team. Often a project requires a wide-range of expertise. We have established long-term and successful relationships with other professionals who share our values. We are team players and excellent facilitators.

Both principals of the firm, Mary Kraus and Laura Fitch, are LEED Certified by the US Green Building Council. With each new project, from initial programming and master planning to the construction details, we pay attention to the big picture of ecological and social sustainability. We strive to create healthful interiors, through careful selection of materials. Our buildings are well insulated and carefully detailed, engineered, and sited to reduce energy use for the life of the community. We craft our structures with durable materials, emphasizing quality while meeting budget constraints. Kraus-Fitch was named one of the Top Ten Green Architects for 2005 by Natural Home and Garden magazine, and has received numerous awards for green design and smart growth development.