The principals of Johnson Roberts Associates — J. Stewart Roberts, Jeffrey Davis and Philip O’Brien — meet each other while working at the Boston architectural firm Tappé Associates (where Stewart was an associate).
J. Stewart Roberts forms J. Stewart Roberts Associates to create thoughtful designs in close collaboration with public, private, and institutional clients.
Mr. O’Brien focuses on public work, with a particular expertise in library and municipal facilities design and brings a passion for effective design, the collaborative thought process and sensitive, achievable solutions, to his projects.
Karla S. Johnson, AIA, joins Johnson Roberts Associates with fourteen years of experience as a designer, project manager and Senior Associate at Leers Weinzapfel Associates.
Karla passed away and in her memory we have established the Karla S. Johnson Memorial Scholarship to help disadvantaged, underrepresented, minority or LGBTQ+ women.
Designed in a Greek Revival style, similar to other civic buildings in Pembroke Center, this new 18,000 square foot public library provided modern library services to the town.
We prepared a study and a plan to preserve and restore this historic 1876 building. The project included improved access, complete interior renovations, preservation of the historic interiors, and restoration of the polychromed brick, tile, and stone exterior.
Fire Rescue Station #3 in Marstons Mills, MA, is sympathetic to the surrounding Cape Cod vernacular buildings, materials, and compositions.
After twenty-five years of leadership roles at Tappé Associates in Boston and WBRC A/E in Maine— eventually becoming Tappé’s President and CEO — Jeffrey R. Davis reunited with Stew and Phil at Johnson Roberts Associates. The majority of Jeff’s efforts have been in the collaboration with MA municipal and institutional client communities in the re-programming, rehabilitation, and revitalization of their aging building stock.. The majority of Jeff’s efforts have been in the collaboration with MA municipal and institutional client communities in the re-programming, rehabilitation, and revitalization of their aging building stock.
In 2020 Principals Phil O’Brien and Jeff Davis became co-owners of JRA with Stew Roberts.
In 2019 Johnson Roberts joined the AIA 2030 Commitment (which strives for all new buildings and major renovations to be carbon neutral by 2030). In 2020 we were able to reach the initial goal of 70% energy reduction for our projects. Only 15% of firms that signed on to the program were able to achieve this level of energy reduction for 2019.
For our design of the Moses Greeley Parker Memorial Library in Dracut, MA.
For our design of the Concord Fowler Branch Library in Concord, MA.
Our design for East Forest Park Library appeared in the November 2020 Architectural issue of Library Journal Magazine.
Society of College and University Planners Design Award
Faith and Form Design Award
Boston Society of Architects Small Firms/Small Projects Program Design Award
For our design of the Centerville-Osterville-Martsons Mills Fire Rescue Station #3.
Granby Free Public Library
Mashpee Public Library – LEED Silver
Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library (Dudley)
Shute Memorial Library (Everett)
South Hadley Public Library – LEED Silver
4 others are awaiting certification
For our design of this energy-efficient JRA residence.
For our restoration of the historic Powder Magazine.
It is a gunpowder storage facility from 1818, and is the oldest building in the Charles River Reservation.