Designer Friday: An aspire Exclusive Interview With Burr Salvatore Architects

Burr Salvatore Architects is a full-service architecture and design firm dedicated to creating timelessly beautiful environments. Led by principals Mary Burr, AIA, and Ryan Salvatore, AIA, the firm approaches each project as a unique entity, drawing inspiration from history while innovating for contemporary living. Their work, spanning diverse styles and project types, is united by a commitment to attentive listening, meticulous planning, and thoughtful execution. Both Mary and Ryan bring deep expertise from their time at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, complemented by Mary’s foundation in both modernist and traditional design and Ryan’s background in construction and academia. Licensed in New York and Connecticut, they continue to shape meaningful, enduring spaces with a balance of tradition and modern sensibility. See these beautiful designs in today’s Designer Friday.

This cozy yet vibrant living space blends classic charm with fresh, nature-inspired details.

Andrew Joseph: What is your favorite type of space to design?
We love to design new structures in particular. It could be a whole house or a one-room pool pavilion, but new construction is free from the restraints of existing conditions, such as low ceilings, structural limitations, or other discoveries along the way.

AJ: What is your favorite design era and why?
The 1920s. This was an era of elegance and understated luxury when ornament and craftsmanship were still in vogue. It was an energetic time, and the architecture reflects the pace and exuberance of an affluent economy before the modesty of the Depression and the post-war era. We have also found that the scale of 1920s houses most closely resembles what our clients are looking for today, even if the program needs some updating.

Framed by elegant millwork and expansive glass doors, this entryway seamlessly extends into a breathtaking waterfront view, blurring the line between indoors and out.

AJ: What is your favorite thing about being an architect/designer?
It’s our passion. Being an architect is a career that resonates with so many people. When we’re at cocktail parties for example and we tell people that we are architects, it’s always fun to hear their reaction. We most often hear, “I was going to be an architect, but I wasn’t good enough at math.”

AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
Traveling, and maintaining a rich library. We are consistently searching for new inspiration. When we visit new places or even walk around our neighborhood, we find ourselves mentally cataloguing buildings that inspire us. Sometimes they yield just the right solution for a design problem that we are currently wrestling with.

AJ: Can you describe a project that you’re particularly proud of?
Hands down our three young children!

Soaring steel trusses, warm wood ceilings, and arched windows define this striking yet inviting living space.

AJ: How do you approach a new project?
We have a lengthy discovery period with any new project. We are trying to build a narrative, both written and pictorial of how the client wants to live, and often they have not discovered it themselves. Ultimately, we are searching for client touchstones that will inform the design, from the big picture to the minute.

AJ: What is the most challenging project you’ve worked on and how did you overcome it?
Our own house. That was and remains a challenge as it is constantly evolving, and never finished. What’s the old adage? “The shoemaker’s shoes always have holes.”

Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.