John Sava, Founding Partner |
Ellen Whittemore, Project Director |
John S. Sava, A.I.A.
John Sava is the founding principal and owner of Sava Architects. Mr. Sava received his degree in Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969 and began his career under the auspices of the late Walter Gropius, one of the most renowned architects in the history of architecture. In this environment Mr. Sava was involved in producing some of the finest architecture nationwide.
Mr. Sava established the office of Sava Architects 25 years ago in Newburyport, Massachusetts in order to offer his clients a more individualized, personal approach. Clients receive the benefit of years of design, management, and construction experience with the guarantee of John’s day to day involvement in their projects. Cost control and schedule adherence control is guaranteed. Since the early 1970’s John has cultivated an expertise in sustainable design. He received a grant from the Hans & Margaret Ray Foundation in support of this work.
Mr. Sava has served as Chairman of the Waterville Valley, NH Planning Board , Director of the Greater Newburyport YMCA and a former member of the Mayor’s Housing Commission in Newburyport, MA. and as a visiting critic at the MIT School of Architecture.
Mr. Sava is an active person outside of the office, involved in sports, (he holds the North East wind surfing speed sailing record) music, and the arts. His grown up family is of course a joy and welcome break from the rigors of the office.
Ellen Whittemore, R.A.
Ms. Whittemore is Project Director at Sava Associates. Ms. Whittemore received her Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University where she was awarded the John E. Thayer Scholarship, was nominated for The Kelley Prize (Boston Society of Architects Award for best final semester project), and graduated with honors. She also received a Thayer grant for research focusing on the relation ship between the ways cities are represented and the manner in which they are conceived by designers.
Ms. Whittemore's career reflects a life long commitment to the idea that research should innovate practice. She has practiced, lectured about and taught architecture and urban design around the country having served on the faculty at Harvard, Yale, UVA and The Rhode Island school of Design. Ms. Whittemore presently serves as an overseer at the Boston Architectural College, as well as, Chair of the Educational Planning Committee, and Founder and Chair of the Professional Research Club. This commitment has been rewarded by a nomination to affiliated professorship at the University of New Hampshire for work carried out in partnership with the College of Life Science and Agriculture for the design and grant funding effort for the schools proposed fully sustainable Equine Facility. Ms. Whittemore has served on the Newburyport Historic District Design Guide
Ms. Whittemore’s background focuses on the complex programming, planning and design of projects for public and private clients. Experience has ranged from a 500 million dollar mixed use project for Manhattan's waterfront to a porch addition on a beach front residence.
Ellen Whittemore joined Sava Architects in 2003 bringing over 20 years of experience in architecture, urban design and planning.
