firm history

Warren Schwartz and Robert Silver met at the firm of Perry, Dean and Stewart in the 1970s, but didn’t work together until they joined the young firm of Charles Hilgenhurst & Associates in 1973. It was then that the duo discovered their compatibility; the personal qualities that may have been weaknesses working individually became strengths when working together. Warren was full of expressive ideas and intuition, while Robert was systematic and logical. Nicknamed by their peers the “pencil and the eraser,” it was a harmonious partnership. As they learned to trust each other’s essential contributions, they worked together equitably, settling disputes simply by defending their views and trusting each other’s determination.

With the founding of Schwartz/Silver in 1980, that collaborative spirit continued, using creative staff members and diverse client insights to inform the firm’s work. We quickly developed a reputation for a modern but respectful approach to historic building preservation, and clever solutions to difficult renovation challenges. From the very beginning, we drew context from each project’s particular circumstances and pushed back against the idea that architects needed consistency in their office portfolio. Our design process is relevant and responsive, resulting in work that is rewarding and engaging.

Forty-five years on from our founding, we have a new generation of Principals, but our principles of collaboration and responsiveness remain the same. We listen, we explore, and we treat each project by its special circumstances. The only consistency is our respect for our clients and for the larger context within which we work.