History of the Firm

The firm of Samuel Sherwood Cleveland, Architect traces its beginnings to 1979 when Mr. Cleveland designed and built his single family residence for sale. Mortgage interest rates were extremely high at the time and the design was contemporary in a region of the country noted for very traditional styles. Nevertheless, the home sold within one month of its completion. Mr. Cleveland had been working as an architect in Charlottesville for seven years prior to launching his own firm and the success of this first project allowed him to take on a partner and to establish a construction company which built many of the private residences designed by the firm.

There have been a number of changes in personnel over the years and the construction company no longer exists, but the firm has retained its essential identity since 1979. We have designed hospitals, banks, schools, offices, libraries, churches, and over forty private residences. While our work is as diverse as our clients, all of it shares the common theme of careful proportioning, sensible planning and cost responsiveness.

Our designwork has received awards for excellence in design, but most importantly, we have received the appreciation from our clients for the buildings we have helped them to create.