Business Details
37 Years
experience
Trusted Architectural Services in Annapolis, MD
J Mayer Architects is a full-service architectural firm with over 30 years of experience delivering high-quality residential and commercial design solutions. Our expertise spans new construction, renovations, and code-intensive large-scale projects, serving clients across Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Delaware. We specialize in custom residential and commercial architecture, including waterfront properties, historic preservation, and food service/retail developments. Our team combines deep technical knowledge with a commitment to client collaboration, ensuring designs meet both functional needs and aesthetic goals.With licensed architects and seasoned project managers, we maintain a reputation for reliability, precision, and innovative problem-solving. Our workflow integrates construction documentation, code compliance, and jurisdictional coordination to streamline project execution. Clients benefit from our focus on long-term relationships, transparent communication, and tailored architectural services that adapt to evolving project demands.
Services
Residential Remodeling
Commercial Additions
New Construction
Historic Preservation
Design Documentation
Tenant Build-Outs
Food Service Design
Code Compliance Management
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of experience in residential and commercial architecture.
- Our team includes licensed architects in four jurisdictions for regional expertise.
- We specialize in managing complex, code-intensive construction documentation.
- Our workflow ensures compliance with national building codes and permitting requirements.
- We provide tailored design solutions for historic preservation and waterfront projects.
Services
Residential Architecture
We create custom residential designs including new construction, waterfront properties, and remodeling projects. Our team specializes in high-end single-family homes and critical area developments. Clients receive tailored solutions balancing aesthetics, functionality, and local code compliance while maintaining project timelines and budgets.
Commercial Design
Our commercial architecture covers office buildings, restaurants, retail spaces, and institutional facilities. We handle tenant build-outs, additions, and redevelopment projects with expertise in food service design and multi-million-dollar healthcare facilities. Services include schematic design, permitting coordination, and construction documentation.
Historic Preservation
We specialize in preserving historically significant structures while meeting modern functionality needs. Our approach combines architectural integrity with code-compliant upgrades for religious facilities, community buildings, and designated heritage sites across Maryland and surrounding regions.
Code Compliance
Our team ensures projects meet national building codes and jurisdictional requirements. We provide detailed construction documentation, permitting assistance, and coordination with local authorities to streamline approvals for complex commercial and residential developments.
Project Management
We manage architectural projects from concept to completion, including workflow coordination, consultant collaboration, and construction administration. Our process emphasizes clear communication, technical precision, and adherence to schedules for both private and public-sector clients.
People
Joseph G. Mayer
Principal Architect - Founder
With 34+ years of experience, Joe Mayer founded J Mayer Architects in 1989. He oversees firm operations and specializes in residential remodeling, waterfront construction, and historic preservation. Licensed in four jurisdictions, he ensures technical excellence across all projects.
Shawn Rupertus
Lead Project Manager
Shawn manages project workflow and documentation since joining in 2005. His background includes construction and USDA facility design. He ensures code compliance and constructability while coordinating with design studios and jurisdictional authorities.
Francisco Lobos
Project Manager / Draftsman
Francisco develops schematic designs and coordinates consultants since joining in 2014. He handles permitting requirements and brings healthcare project expertise from prior employment, supporting both commercial and residential developments.
Carol Brown
Office Manager
Carol manages administrative operations and client communications. She serves as the primary contact for design inquiries, coordinating office functions to support the firm's project delivery and client service commitments.
Questions
What architectural services do you offer?
We provide residential and commercial design, historic preservation, code compliance, and project management services for new construction, renovations, and tenant build-outs.
Which areas do you serve?
We operate in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Delaware with licensed architects familiar with regional building codes and permitting processes.
How do you handle complex projects?
Our team manages code-intensive developments through detailed documentation, jurisdictional coordination, and experienced project oversight from concept to completion.
Can you work on historic buildings?
Yes, we specialize in preserving architectural integrity while implementing modern upgrades for religious, community, and heritage-listed properties.
Reviews (4)
Bruce Rankin
Dec 19, 2019
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I have had the pleasure of working with Joe and his team over the course of five projects ranging from the renovation of a small cottage, rehabbing two investment properties, completing a historic restoration and expanding our primary residence. Every project included surprise discoveries where Joe was incredibly resourceful and creative in addressing these challenges to our complete satisfaction. I highly recommend J. Mayer Architects.
Ray Tacoma
Aug 25, 2019
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We enlisted Joe's help to design and manage a major renovation of our home in Annapolis. He was great to work with: open to new ideas, creative, work finished promptly and very professional. I would recommend J. Mayer Architects to anyone architectural services -- and I have done so to numerous friends.
Albert Holt
Aug 14, 2019
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We asked Joe Mayer to create our waterfront home in Annapolis. He was with us from beginning to end. He made many useful suggestions that improved the result. He was good about helping us understand the cost of any changes. Upon completion we were pleased to realize a number of subtle benefits he had incorporated into the plan. He worked well with our contractor. Any call-backs were minor because he plans were explicit and he worked with the contractor from day one. When we sold our home in 2015 we enjoyed top dollar because of the inherent beauty and practicality of the design. We have worked
Jason Copeland
Oct 09, 2013
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I contracted Joseph Mayer and his firm to architect changes to a home I am renovating. I met Joe at an event in Annapolis and had saved his card. Every aspect of the initial quote process was excellent. Joe was punctual and provided a detailed approach to the design process. He delivered a set of "As Built" drawings with minor flaws and I was satisfied until that point. Everything changed when it was time for Joe to deliver ideas to paper. His "sketches" were drawn in poor fashion and without regard for the ability to actually engineer the design. Multiple questions regarding his "sketches" resulted
