Derby
Square
Architects
"DESIGN SHOULD CENTER AROUND THE USER AND BE EVER MINDFUL OF ITS CONTEXT. IT IS THE CREATIVE INTERPLAY BETWEEN CLIENT, ARCHITECT, AND ENVIRONMENT THAT CREATES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GOOD ARCHITECTURE."
- BILL PETERSON
OUR PEOPLE
RICHARD GRIFFIN
With over 30 years of experience as an architect, Richard co-founded Derby Square Architects, a consortium of architects in Downtown Salem. Richard originally established Richard Griffin Architects in 1998 in Salem, where he began offering architectural design services for local residents and small businesses. Richard earned a M. Arch., at Clemson University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology, College of the Atlantic. He also studied at Washington University, St. Louis and University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
AIA
Principal
He / Him
WILLIAM PETERSON
Principal
He / Him
Bill attained his B. Arch degree from the Boston Architectural College. In his 20 plus years of experience he has designed multi-family housing, public safety facilities, town halls, various civic buildings, and historic preservation projects. He has also been part of commercial mixed use, retail, and restaurant developments.
Bill is a comissioned officer, Captain, in the 102d Civil Engineer Sqaudron in the Massachusetts Air National Guard working on engineering, planning, and design of base facilities.
AIA, NCARB
Bill@DerbySq.com
NATHAN BONAIUTO
Nathan is an experienced designer and project manager who brings a dynamic skillset to the firm. Nathan previously worked for our predessor firm, Richard Griffin Architect and later to for STA Design before returning to work with us at DSA. Nathan earned his undergraduate and graduate M. Arch degree at Roger Williams University.
KARLA NIETZSCH TINKJIAN
Senior Designer
She / Her
Karla is an experienced and thoughtful designer and drafter and top producer at DSA. Karla previously worked for one of the firm’s predecesors, Richard Griffin Architects, from 2013 to 2016, after working at a variety of design firms in both the Boston area as well as Minas Gerais, Brazil where she was raised and educated in architecture. Karla has her construction supervisors license in Massachusetts and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
Karla fluently speaks Brazilian Portuguese as well as English.
LEED AP, CS
RYNN GUSTAVSON
Rynn, is a talented designer who graduated from Virginia Tech in 2023 with a B.Arch, Summa Cum Laude. They have a strong skill set in softwares such as Revit, Autocad, Rhino, SketchUp, and Adobe. Rynn previously worked for Ellenzweig Architects where they worked on projects such as Mass Maritime Academy's STEM Classroom Building. Outside of work, Rynn is a freelance audio books narator.
Project Designer
They / Them
CARYN O'NEILL BENNETT
Caryn keeps us honest as our Financial Administrator and Bookkeeper. She has an Associates Degree in Accounting from Bunker Hill Community College and is a Notary Public.
Financial Administrator
She / Her
Admin@DerbySq.com
GRETCHEN DAVIS
Gretchen is a senior Interior Architecture student at Endicott College, pursuing a B.F.A. in Interior Architecture with an expected graduation date of May 2027. She is a student member of IIDA New England and has completed four internships throughout her academic career, gaining diverse experience spanning residential, higher education, and healthcare design.
Intern Designer
She / Her