Mark Ferguson and Oscar Shamamian co-founded their practice in 1988 after meeting and working together at the legendary decorating firm, Parish-Hadley. As young architects versed in the eclectic language of residential interiors and committed to the art of harmonizing the old with the new, their practice offered a new vision of traditional American architecture adapted to the changing needs of modern life. Every remodeled or new residence they have designed respects the cultural, historical and physical identity of the places in which they are built. Today, their portfolio of city apartments, houses and country estates, expresses a deep appreciation for historical styles, regional character, and the personal taste of their clients.
Over the past 32 years and with the support of a talented and dedicated group of architects, renderers and administrative staff, we’ve grown and built an extensive body of work across the country and beyond. Dedication to excellence and service to clients is at the core of our practice. The diversity of location, character and scale of our projects reflects our ability to use traditional forms in varying contexts to address unique site conditions while accommodating the comforts and convenience of our clients.
Collaboration has always been a keystone of our work. We begin every project in partnership with our clients; interpreting their individual needs and dreams, and allowing their character and lifestyle to inform the greater architectural idea. The work is bolstered by our strong commitment to artistic integrity and a focus on detail, the best use of materials, and exceptional workmanship. Our holistic vision of design has led to longstanding relationships with many of the country’s top decorators, landscape architects, artisans and builders. Collaboration is also crucial to our internal process. Working with small teams within our office allows us to be focused and flexible, ensuring a thorough consideration of every design and a high level of quality control.
Our work has been featured in a variety of magazines, newspapers, and books, including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Veranda, The World of Interiors, The New York Times, Town & Country, Galerie, Milieu, Traditional Home, Period Homes, and House & Garden, among others. We have also been honored with many awards, including the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art’s Arthur Ross Award, the Bulfinch Award, the Mizner Award, several Stanford White and Palladio Awards, as well as The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach’s Schuler Award.
Our first monograph, New Traditional Architecture, Ferguson & Shamamian Architects: City and Country Residences was published by Rizzoli in 2011. Our second book, featuring a new array of projects and collaborations, will be published in the fall of 2021.
