Howell Design $ Build, Inc.

Walking into the millwork shop at Howell Design & Build is like stepping over the threshold of an artist’s studio. Classical music caresses the air as light streams in through 15 ft. windows. The shop is clean and spare, with neat stacks of poplar, maple, and mahogany moldings stored amidst tools and supplies. Interesting architectural salvage leans gently against one wall, while the shop carpenter hand cuts mortise and tenon joinery for a timberframe entryway.

Howell Design & Build’s millwork shop occupies a distinct corner of Lawrence’s Riverwalk complex, the space that once housed the American Woolen Co. along the mighty, industrial Merrimack. Now, over 100 years later, a new type of artistry rises from the brick and mortar of that prolific locale. Howell Design & Build, creator of unique custom homes and quality renovations throughout the North Shore, offers what many construction firms lack today – the seamless intersection of aesthetic and intellect. Many of the finest examples of Howell Design & Build projects involve historically accurate transformations, where the transition between the older home and the new addition are perfectly integrated and harmonious. Other examples include some of the finest custom homes and timberframe interiors on the North Shore.

At the helm of Howell Design & Build is Stephen Howell, a Cornell graduate who spent the first part of his professional life in the corporate arena. After 12 years as an electrical engineer for Hewlett Packard – an organization hailed as a leader in management innovation – Howell knew first hand the pros and cons of a strong enterprise. His experiences at HP confirmed his belief that mutual respect – as well as faith in people’s desire to do good work – make for the most productive work place. He also knew that keeping tabs on the bottom line was the foremost concern of any strong project leader.

Today, Howell, his wife, Susan, and their professional team have an extraordinarily strong business model that emphasizes partnering with architectural firms to create custom spaces and provide exceptional service. Those services include emphasizing natural surroundings, using value engineering to educate customers as to the many choices available within their budget, and hands-on project management using a lead carpenter system where one carpenter is assigned to the project until completion. This allows for a strong relationship between team and client. With 11 full time employees in the field, and four part time employees, Howell Design & Build now works on approximately 20 projects a year. Tom Heffernan, a project manager for Howell, says it’s the open communication with clients that makes the difference. “Howell Design & Build offers a climate of learning,” Heffernan explains. “The systems that we have in place provide for as stress-free a process as possible for our clients.”

How to tell it’s a Howell Design & Build? “Our clients aren’t necessarily looking for square footage as much as a well-designed home using unique building materials in stone and wood,” explains Howell. Much of Howell’s design philosophy stems from works such as The Timeless Way of Building and A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander, as well as work of architect and cultural visionary, Sarah Susanka. Susanka’s book entitled The Not So Big House touts comfort as the ideal – rather than prestige – through scale, proportion and the inter-relationship of building materials.

Howell Design & Build has put Susanka’s “build better, not bigger” philosophy to good use and has been recognized for their efforts. In 2002, they were chosen as one of the 101 Best Companies To Work For in the residential construction industry by Professional Remodeler magazine. In 2003, they were selected as one of Remodeling magazine’s Big 50 for management, marketing, sales and design expertise. Specifically, the Howells were sited for the teamwork amongst their employees.

For the Howells, who make their home in Boxford, working together as husband and wife has meant pooling their separate talents for the sake of a common goal. Susan, who brings ten years of professional marketing experience to the business, focuses on sales and marketing. “Sue develops relationships and has an objective eye when evaluating initial sales calls,” says Howell. “She takes upwards of 30 minutes to interview prospects to make a determination if the fit is good.”

With her strong community ties and personable demeanor, Susan also fosters relationships with people who later become clients. In fact, for the first two years of their business, 75% of the Howell Design & Build projects were for friends. Word spread quickly of the artful attention to detail that Howell brings to each and every project, and the business grew. “We fit well with people who want something different, creative and unique, with character and craftsmanship, while grounded in good service,” explains Susan. “It’s all about collaboration. I know it’s a good fit if the prospect says, ‘We’re looking for a long-lasting, unique home that is designed for the way we live.’”

As for the future, the Howells will continue to foster their vision of a progressive workplace, work closely with clients to create designs based on the way people live, build homes that reflect their individual owners, and celebrate the revitalization of fine craftsmanship and detail. For more information about Howell Design & Build, please call 978.989.9440 or visit www.howelldesignbuild.com.



"Our clients aren’t necessarily looking for square footage as much as a well-designed home using unique building materials in stone and wood." ~Stephen Howell Howell Design & Build, creator of unique custom homes and quality renovations throughout the North Shore, offers what many construction firms lack today – the seamless intersection of aesthetic and intellect.		The following article appeared in the November 2004 issue of North Shore Living Magazine. Howell Design & Build The Intersection of Art and Intellect by Cynthia West
		Walking into the millwork shop at Howell Design & Build is like stepping over the threshold of an artist’s studio. Classical music caresses the air as light streams in through 15 ft. windows. The shop is clean and spare, with neat stacks of poplar, maple, and mahogany moldings stored amidst tools and supplies. Interesting architectural salvage leans gently against one wall, while the shop carpenter hand cuts mortise and tenon joinery for a timberframe entryway. Howell Design & Build’s millwork shop occupies a distinct corner of Lawrence’s Riverwalk complex, the space that once housed the American Woolen Co. along the mighty, industrial Merrimack. Now, over 100 years later, a new type of artistry rises from the brick and mortar of that prolific locale. Howell Design & Build, creator of unique custom homes and quality renovations throughout the North Shore, offers what many construction firms lack today – the seamless intersection of aesthetic and intellect. Many of the finest examples of Howell Design & Build projects involve historically accurate transformations, where the transition between the older home and the new addition are perfectly integrated and harmonious. Other examples include some of the finest custom homes and timberframe interiors on the North Shore. At the helm of Howell Design & Build is Stephen Howell, a Cornell graduate who spent the first part of his professional life in the corporate arena. After 12 years as an electrical engineer for Hewlett Packard – an organization hailed as a leader in management innovation – Howell knew first hand the pros and cons of a strong enterprise. His experiences at HP confirmed his belief that mutual respect – as well as faith in people’s desire to do good work – make for the most productive work place. He also knew that keeping tabs on the bottom line was the foremost concern of any strong project leader. Today, Howell, his wife, Susan, and their professional team have an extraordinarily strong business model that emphasizes partnering with architectural firms to create custom spaces and provide exceptional service. Those services include emphasizing natural surroundings, using value engineering to educate customers as to the many choices available within their budget, and hands-on project management using a lead carpenter system where one carpenter is assigned to the project until completion. This allows for a strong relationship between team and client. With 11 full time employees in the field, and four part time employees, Howell Design & Build now works on approximately 20 projects a year. Tom Heffernan, a project manager for Howell, says it’s the open communication with clients that makes the difference. “Howell Design & Build offers a climate of learning,” Heffernan explains. “The systems that we have in place provide for as stress-free a process as possible for our clients.” How to tell it’s a Howell Design & Build? “Our clients aren’t necessarily looking for square footage as much as a well-designed home using unique building materials in stone and wood,” explains Howell. Much of Howell’s design philosophy stems from works such as The Timeless Way of Building and A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander, as well as work of architect and cultural visionary, Sarah Susanka. Susanka’s book entitled The Not So Big House touts comfort as the ideal – rather than prestige – through scale, proportion and the inter-relationship of building materials. Howell Design & Build has put Susanka’s “build better, not bigger” philosophy to good use and has been recognized for their efforts. In 2002, they were chosen as one of the 101 Best Companies To Work For in the residential construction industry by Professional Remodeler magazine. In 2003, they were selected as one of Remodeling magazine’s Big 50 for management, marketing, sales and design expertise. Specifically, the Howells were sited for the teamwork amongst their employees. For the Howells, who make their home in Boxford, working together as husband and wife has meant pooling their separate talents for the sake of a common goal. Susan, who brings ten years of professional marketing experience to the business, focuses on sales and marketing. “Sue develops relationships and has an objective eye when evaluating initial sales calls,” says Howell. “She takes upwards of 30 minutes to interview prospects to make a determination if the fit is good.” With her strong community ties and personable demeanor, Susan also fosters relationships with people who later become clients. In fact, for the first two years of their business, 75% of the Howell Design & Build projects were for friends. Word spread quickly of the artful attention to detail that Howell brings to each and every project, and the business grew. “We fit well with people who want something different, creative and unique, with character and craftsmanship, while grounded in good service,” explains Susan. “It’s all about collaboration. I know it’s a good fit if the prospect says, ‘We’re looking for a long-lasting, unique home that is designed for the way we live.’” As for the future, the Howells will continue to foster their vision of a progressive workplace, work closely with clients to create designs based on the way people live, build homes that reflect their individual owners, and celebrate the revitalization of fine craftsmanship and detail. For more information about Howell Design & Build, please call 978.989.9440 or visit www.howelldesignbuild.com.