Joy Squared Design

NEW WORK: Joy Squared Design is delighted to have been recently selected by the City of Boston and Boston Housing Authority (BHA) to study Veterans Housing on two potential sites in South Boston. We are exploring best practices for the architecture, site selection, and amenities necessary to create stable, grounding, and healing housing for veterans in the city. This includes Trauma Informed Design strategies and learning from precedent projects, like Patriot Homes, operated by South Boston NDC who graciously showed us around last week.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXiJbg-jnUN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

NEW WORK: Joy Squared Design is delighted to have been recently selected by the City of Boston and Boston Housing Authority (BHA) to study Veterans Housing on two potential sites in South Boston. We are exploring best practices for the architecture, site selection, and amenities necessary to create stable, grounding, and healing housing for veterans in the city. This includes Trauma Informed Design strategies and learning from precedent projects, like Patriot Homes, operated by South Boston NDC who graciously showed us around last week. Photography: Greig Cranna

Last week, the City of Boston announced more than $52 million in new funding to support the creation and preservation of affordable rental housing across Boston. The awards, administered through the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Community Preservation Fund, and the Neighborhood Housing Trust, will support 13 developments in nine neighborhoods, resulting in 892 income-restricted rental homes, including 75 homes that will be set aside for families and individuals exiting homelessness.

Joy Squared Design was honored to celebrate with East Boston CDC and Affirmative Investments the funding of Phase 1 of our project, 2 Shawsheen Road.

2 Shawsheen Road will create 35 new affordable family-sized rental homes in Orient Heights, steps from the MBTA station. Built on a former industrial site near Belle Isle Marsh, the four-story Passive House-certified building will reserve more than half of its homes for families earning very low incomes. The project will provide access to supportive services and expand affordable housing in a neighborhood with below-average affordability.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXWyz2TjvhS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA

Last week, the City of Boston announced more than $52 million in new funding to support the creation and preservation of affordable rental housing across Boston. The awards, administered through the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Community Preservation Fund, and the Neighborhood Housing Trust, will support 13 developments in nine neighborhoods, resulting in 892 income-restricted rental homes, including 75 homes that will be set aside for families and individuals exiting homelessness. Joy Squared Design was honored to celebrate with East Boston CDC and Affirmative Investments the funding of Phase 1 of our project, 2 Shawsheen Road. 2 Shawsheen Road will create 35 new affordable family-sized rental homes in Orient Heights, steps from the MBTA station. Built on a former industrial site near Belle Isle Marsh, the four-story Passive House-certified building will reserve more than half of its homes for families earning very low incomes. The project will provide access to supportive services and expand affordable housing in a neighborhood with below-average affordability.

We're excited to announce that Joe Lambert is now a licensed architect! Joe has been with Joy Squared Design for over 10 years (as The Narrow Gate Architecture) and is already a Certified Passive House Consultant, LEED GA, and CSBA. He has long been a leader in our office in Passive House design, BIM development, and all areas of design and project management. We’re thrilled to see this milestone recognize the expertise he has brought to our work for many year. Congratulations, Joe!

With the advent of 2026, we celebrate a full year as Joy Squared Design. Our growth to a 20-person practice last year brought new energy and opportunity. In our blog, we explore new and completed projects, staff milestones, and our SCALE grant. You can read more about some of our milestones here:

https://www.joysquared.design/2026/02/the-year-in-review-looking-back-on-our-first-year-as-joy-squared-design/

Joy Squared Design’s recent work with the Town of Amherst was covered by the Daily Hampshire Gazette! Since the spring we’ve been working with the town to study options for developing housing on a site in South Amherst. At our first public meeting we met with neighbors and Amherst residents at the nearby Munson Memorial Library to gather opinions and feedback. In this meeting we shared our process and the three design options we landed on, which will inform the town’s next steps.

Three design options unveiled for South Amherst School property - Daily Hampshire Gazette AMHERST — Between 15 and 25 units of new housing could be developed on the 3-acre site of the former South Amherst School at 1001 South East St., based on concepts unveiled by a Boston architecture company. Three design options that would be feasible for the context of the site, including one that...

This fall, we celebrate the retirement of our co-founder, Kitty Ryan — an architect whose career has been defined by courage, compassion, and a deep commitment to community. Kitty helped shape who we are as a firm, and her influence continues in her ongoing guidance within the studio and in the volunteer design work she’s pursuing beyond it.

Our full blog post looks back on her path — from founding The Narrow Gate in 1987, through our 2025 merger, and into the future she continues to help shape. You can read more about her leadership, her mentorship of emerging architects, and her decades of dedicated work alongside partners and clients in supportive housing.

A Legacy of Architecture, Social Justice, and Community: Celebrating Kitty Ryan • Joy² Design, Inc. This fall, we celebrate the retirement of Kitty Ryan, co-founder of The Narrow Gate Architecture and ...

Last Tuesday we were honored to attend the ribbon cutting of our project, 570 Warren Street, with Commonwealth Land Trust – who was also celebrating their 40th anniversary.

Commonwealth Land Trust has been providing homes, security, and compassion for 40 years. The 570 Warren Street residence, comprised of a main residential building and a converted carriage house, will provide 26 SRO (single resident occupancy) units to formerly unhoused individuals.

The main building consists of 16 SRO units, office for support services, communal kitchens and bathrooms, and laundry. The carriage house consists of 10 SRO units, communal kitchens and bathrooms, and a living area.

After decades of disrepair, many of the main buildings’ original architectural elements have been retained and restored, while improvements were made to the exterior envelope, interior layout, entrance sequencing between buildings, and increased green space at this corner parcel. Additionally, the design included new high-efficiency building systems and a stormwater drainage system.

And while nothing excites us more than a seeing the lengthy process of design, community process, permitting, and construction come to its joyous conclusion, it was hearing from from residents how the stability of dignified, permanent housing has impacted their lives and their journey through recovery that we are reminded of why we do what we do.

Photography: Jane Messinger, Lauren Owens Lambert

This summer, seven first-time homeowner families moved into the Aileron condominiums in East Boston. The creation of this much needed family housing is an important step towards revitalizing the Condor Street and Chelsea Creek area – a process begun in 2001 with NOAH’s (Neighborhood of Affordable Housing) letter to the Hess Oil Corporation, asking them to dispose of their giant, empty oil tanks on the property.

NOAH and Joy Squared worked closely with the community in planning and designing for the future of the site as a live-work artist community. The exterior design is contemporary, while respecting the scale and tradition of the nearby triple-decker housing. Large windows, rear decks, and landscaping create an open and inviting living environment.

The seven units include two- and three-bedroom family-sized units. All units were made available for sale through the City of Boston’s affordable housing program. Each unit has a large, open living space, brightly lit and designed with warm finishes. Every unit has outdoor living space, creating an opportunity for recreation and community-building.

The building was designed for sustainability and durability, using efficient energy systems, a well-insulated exterior envelope, and materials that promote healthy indoor air quality. It is close to major bus lines, a local shopping district, and recreational open spaces. The project team is excited and proud to create these new, healthy, affordable homes for the families of East Boston.

The final image is a rendering of future phase 2 artists housing and studios.

Photo credit: Greig Cranna
Rendering: This summer, seven first-time homeowner families moved into the Aileron condominiums in East Boston. The creation of this much needed family housing is an important step towards revitalizing the Condor Street and Chelsea Creek area – a process begun in 2001 with NOAH’s (Neighborhood of Affordable Housing) letter to the Hess Oil Corporation, asking them to dispose of their giant, empty oil tanks on the property.

NOAH and Joy Squared worked closely with the community in planning and designing for the future of the site as a live-work artist community. The exterior design is contemporary, while respecting the scale and tradition of the nearby triple-decker housing. Large windows, rear decks, and landscaping create an open and inviting living environment.

The seven units include two- and three-bedroom family-sized units. All units were made available for sale through the City of Boston’s affordable housing program. Each unit has a large, open living space, brightly lit and designed with warm finishes. Every unit has outdoor living space, creating an opportunity for recreation and community-building.

The building was designed for sustainability and durability, using efficient energy systems, a well-insulated exterior envelope, and materials that promote healthy indoor air quality. It is close to major bus lines, a local shopping district, and recreational open spaces. The project team is excited and proud to create these new, healthy, affordable homes for the families of East Boston.

The final image is a rendering of future phase 2 artists housing and studios.

Photo credit: Greig Cranna
Rendering: Runcible Studios

This summer, we opened our office doors to clients, colleagues, and contributors to celebrate the merger of The Narrow Gate and Joy Street Design. In preparing the office for the festivities, we took a tour through our collective archives, recalling both firms’ histories and most impactful projects. You can see the full timeline and read more at our website:

https://www.joysquared.design/2025/10/celebrating-joy-squared/

After 12 years with Joy Squared Design and The Narrow Gate—and an even longer history as a collaborator and advocate—we’re celebrating our colleague, Wendy Richter, and the many ways she has shaped our work and our office culture.

Wendy's thoughtful approach to supportive housing, especially in historic renovation contexts, has left a lasting imprint on projects like Abby’s House, St. Paul’s Residence, and multiple projects with Pine Street Inn. Wendy's legacy expands beyond the projects within our office through her work as a design reviewer and lender advisor with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).

Since our merger to Joy Squared Design, Wendy has provided mentorship to us all in ensuring the many cultural traditions of our workplace live on. As Wendy transitions into retirement, she will continue to guide several projects through construction to their completion. We are deeply grateful for all she’s brought to our work and to our team.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us at our merger party last week! It was wonderful to see you all, and to celebrate at our open house. Here’s to many more milestones ahead in our new partnership!