--- title: "Jacob Lilley Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/jacob-lilley-architects-pfvwus-pf~1199644500 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1199644500.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Jacob Lilley Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/70537bdf0e80b88e_3152-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "103 Central Street, Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482, United States" latitude: 42.2945 longitude: -71.2992 phone: "(781) 431-6100" website: http://www.jlaarchitects.com rating: 5 review_count: 24 best_of_houzz_awards: 14 followers: 267 last_updated: 2026-09-04 --- # Jacob Lilley Architects Original Houzz profile: [Jacob Lilley Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/jacob-lilley-architects-pfvwus-pf~1199644500) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Wellesley, MA - **Serves:** Boston, Cambridge, Newton, Brookline, Arlington, Needham, Wellesley, Belmont, Sudbury, Westwood, Wayland, Weston, Lincoln, Dover, Sherborn, Chestnut Hill, Needham Heights, Newton Center, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Newton Upper Falls, Newtonville, Waban, Wellesley Hills, West Newton - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (24 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 14 awards (2012–2026), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 50,000 Ideabook Saves JACOB LILLEY ARCHITECTS focuses on design solutions that are innovative, elegant and are clear. JLA is an architectural firm located in Wellesley, Massachusetts in the heart of New England, whose straight forward style blends the influences of traditional architecture with a clean and simple design aesthetic. Factor in an eye for detail, innovation, craftsmanship and the use of natural materials and you have the foundation for a unique home. We believe that the success of each project stems from understanding the individual factors that influence it, from site, to client, schedule and budget. Originally from England, Jacob Lilley worked for several nationally recognized Architecture firms in New York, Philadelphia and Boston. During his tenure he oversaw high profile projects for a fifty story tower in Philadelphia, a Courthouse Addition and New Transit Center in Charlottsville, VA. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - 3D Rendering - Bathroom Design - Green Building - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Pool House Design & Construction - Barn Design & Construction - Garage Design - Construction Drawings ### Areas Served - Boston - Cambridge - Newton - Brookline - Arlington - Needham - Wellesley - Belmont - Sudbury - Westwood - Wayland - Weston - Lincoln - Dover - Sherborn - Chestnut Hill - Needham Heights - Newton Center - Newton Highlands - Newton Lower Falls - Newton Upper Falls - Newtonville - Waban - Wellesley Hills - West Newton ### Typical Job Cost $1.5 million - 10 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Jacob Lilley Architects | | Address | 103 Central Street, Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482, United States | | Phone | (781) 431-6100 | | Website | http://www.jlaarchitects.com | | License Number | MA 31575 PA 405436 | | Followers on Houzz | 267 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/\#!/pages/lilley-dadagian-architects/150014508343409 ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Jacob Lilley Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/jacob-lilley-architects-pfvwus-pf~1199644500) - **Website:** http://www.jlaarchitects.com - **Phone:** (781) 431-6100 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - B. Arch Cornell University - **Best of Houzz:** 14 awards (2012–2026), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [The Boston Society of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-boston-society-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1888823119) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 24 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — jmalkin, Feb. 2020** > We bought a piece of land and then hired Jake and JLA to design our summer home on Martha’s Vineyard. Jake was great to work with, taking the time to really understand our preferences, needs, and aesthetic, and then working with us to design something we were really excited about (including a number of iterations). We are thrilled with the finished product and would happily work with Jake again. **★★★★★ — colingflynn, Oct. 2019** > We hired Jake and his team to transform unfinished space above an attached garage into a guest suite. The design development process was collaborative and allowed us to explore several options for aesthetic and layout. Our new space compliments our existing home and creates welcome space for guests and us alike. > > We highly recommend Jake and love our completed project! **★★★★★ — Erin Byrnes, June 2019** > Jake is an incredibly talented architect with an amazing vision. He has assisted us with a remodel and addition to our old historic home. Jake is super easy to work with, and what I have appreciated most is how much patience he's had, and how much time he's spent with me on the design details- whether it be tile/stone choices, or location of windows. Jake has also been extremely focused on giving us exactly what we want. We're are halfway complete with our project and very pleased. He has impeccable taste and is really just a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend!! **★★★★★ — Kristi W, June 2019** > We are more than halfway through a major renovation to our primary home and I have to say we have been blown away by Jacob Lilley Architects. Long before the start of construction Jake worked with us to define what our functional goals were for different spaces in our home both today and 10+ years from now. With this as a foundation he produced 3 highly creative potential layouts and presented them not just as architectural plans, but as these incredible 3D generated images that appear as though they are real-life photos. I cannot emphasize enough how helpful these 3D images were as a client to be able to visualize the end product and make important trade-off decisions along the way – for example, we were stuck on making some final countertop, backsplash, flooring and color decisions in our kitchen – Jake modeled different combinations and it made making those final decisions very easy. What could have been an enormous headache for us – going through a major renovation – Jake and his team have made it incredibly simple and straightforward taking on so many minute details and interfacing with the builder so we don’t have to. We have loved Jake’s clean yet elegant style, but also that he continually strives to create unique personalized features in our home that you won’t find anywhere else. If we could give a 10 star rating here, we would!! **★★★★★ — Elizabeth Reese, Dec. 2018** > I cannot recommend JLA highly enough!! My husband and I bought an old Tudor style home with great character but equal the amount of quirks. From the very first meeting with JLA’s team to the completion of this large addition-renovation project, we always felt we were in the most capable hands. Jake was able to formulate ideas that were both exciting and innovative. His vision and expertise helped to transform our dated Tudor into a dream. Before the project was even built, the team was able to provide us with photo realistic renderings of the proposed spaces inside and overall exterior design. This really blew us away and made envisioning their vision a reality. Jake was so involved in each and every decision. I was so impressed with how hands on he was the whole time. The team of architects at JLA was all so equally capable and talented. I am not the easiest client to please as I have high standards...JLA exceeded my expectations each and every time. **★★★★★ — Mary AM, Dec. 2018** > We are so excited to share our story of working with JLA. We started talking to Jake about what we presumed would be a simple deck refresh. Thanks to his focus on our total living space and his detailed eye, we are in the process of majorly upgrading our home. He's more hands on than I ever expected, which has been tremendous. Not only does he help us see the project coming to life but with his help we've made some changes during construction to make the end result even better. If you are interested in someone who takes the project as seriously as they would take their own, I highly recommend reaching out to Jake. **★★★★★ — Emma Navales, Dec. 2018** > My husband and I hired Jake to design a one-of-a-kind dream home that would be perfect for our young family. We had talked about this house for years and knew what we wanted but not how to fit it all in, much less how to make it look beautiful. Jake was able to take our vision, sketches, and practical ideas and transformed them into beautiful spaces. Jake’s eye for detail is spectacular. Small design elements (that we would never have thought of) elevated the design in a way we couldn’t imagine. As we progressed into construction, Jake helped us navigate a stressful year and was always optimistic, available and open to handle any challenges that arose. We recently moved into the house, and it has turned out to be even more of a joy than we had hoped… now that we’re in it, we can finally appreciate the thoughtfulness and intention that went into Jake’s every design decision. We are so happy to be in our home and enjoying all that he created! We cannot recommend Jake highly enough! **★★★★★ — rharley60, Sept. 2018** > Based on our experience of his knowledge, professionalism, design aesthetic and attention to detail, we highly recommend Jake Lilley. Jake designed the renovation of our Cape style home, working with us to make each of our spaces more usable and to create an addition that seamlessly blends with the original house. The result is a home that is transformed, both functionally and aesthetically. We love the look of it, classic New England with added character and beauty unique to Jake, via his eye for clean lines and how small details have a big visual impact. We love the feel of living in it- Jake listened to the problems our renovation needed to solve and solved them, while also incorporating touches we would not have imagined that add both comfort and beauty to the design. **★★★★★ — HU-282979554, July 2018** > We bought a 1890’s carriage house in 1988. It was the quintessential diamond in the rough. I assured my wife we’d fix it up. I didn’t mention it might take thirty years. But, with the recent expert help of Jake and his associates we have that diamond now. Over many months Jake showed my wife and I (Jake knew it was important that couples agree on decisions) wood and stone options. Patiently explaining the pros and cons. We’re thrilled with the completed project, which included a warm stone fireplace, gorgeous arched metal doors and a hickory ceiling. Just don’t say Jake gave us a diamond, his wife may not take kindly to the idea. > > George & Nettie Dillon **★★★★★ — bostonskyline, Dec. 2017** > We have been working with JLA for several months on an extensive backyard and master suite project. Jake is proactive, accessible and an excellent communicator, attributes that have made him a trusted resource for everyone involved. We didn’t realize at the beginning how important a good “quarterback” would be for our complex project, but we now know that we absolutely made the right pick. > > Our project presented challenges at the outset due to setback limits, changing zoning regs and unexpected issues with neighbors. Jake came up with creative solutions and adapted to the ever-changing circumstances each and every time. He handled it all with grace, good humor and the utmost professionalism. We would recommend Jake and his team in a heartbeat! **★★★★★ — Susan Kass, Nov. 2017** > My initial interest in JLA architects, aside from the good recommendations, stemmed from viewing photos of previous work. I have a very critical eye and his designs made sense, there was nothing in his work that seemed out of place or inconsistent as with others I had viewed. I was correct in this assumption and the project turned out great, everyone who sees it loves it. I have a hard time relinquishing control but Jake was willing to listen when I made alternate suggestions and try to find designs that worked for both of us. HIs vision of a more traditional house in the front that transitioned to a modern one in the back was very risky but it was designed in such a way that it worked, even from the outside. Even though the project has finished, I still enjoy talking with Jake about the decor options. I would highly recommend him. **★★★★★ — Tanya Laidlaw, Nov. 2017** > We had a wonderful experience with Jacob Lilley and his team. He was creative, thoughtful, and visionary during the planning stages of the project (an addition to our 1850s farmhouse, including a complete kitchen gut and redesign), and he was thorough and meticulous during the building states of the project. Jake took our input seriously at every stage and came up with solutions that we would have never thought of on our own and was able to follow-through gorgeously. We would absolutely (and already have!) recommend him to others. ## Selected projects - [Daisy Wilson Meadows](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/daisy-wilson-meadows-pj-vj~2596273) - Location: Lexington, MA - Photos: 12 - Description: Full House renovation and family room addition to a suburban home in Metro Boston - [High Rock House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/high-rock-house-pj-vj~5880554) - Location: Needham, MA - Photos: 15 - Description: New 5 bedroom custom house in Needham MA - [The Narrows](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-narrows-pj-vj~3938098) - Location: Orleans, MA - Photos: 6 - Description: Cape Cod Custom House - [Rock Ridge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rock-ridge-pj-vj~5780784) - Location: Wellesley, MA - Photos: 27 - [Oceans Edge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oceans-edge-pj-vj~6133079) - Location: Chilmark, MA - Photos: 12 - Description: New custom house on Marthas Vineyard - [Pegan Hill Farm](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pegan-hill-farm-pj-vj~4146567) - Location: Dover, MA - Photos: 7 - Description: Jacob Lilley Architects Location: Dover, MA, USA A wonderful 120 year old farm house situated half way up a hill was in need of care and attention. Its great room was never finished and the kitchen were all of the activity happens lacked refinement and a strong connection to the garden. - ["Smallcraft" Guest House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/smallcraft-guest-house-pj-vj~50499) - Location: Nantucket, MA - Photos: 5 - Description: Jacob Lilley Architects Location: Nantucket, MA, USA Once a eel drying shack "smallcraft" has housed Nantucket families for over 100 years. The extensive renovation required raising the house above the floodplain, replacing most structural components, and updating septic and mechanical systems. As a historic structure the exterior design remains largely unchanged with most of the design effort focused on creating a warm and contemporary interior with hints of its nautical upbringing. - [Wellesley Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wellesley-modern-pj-vj~5691973) - Location: Wellesley, MA - Photos: 14 - [No. 207 House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/no-207-house-pj-vj~1253773) - Location: Lincoln, MA - Photos: 11 - Description: Jacob Lilley Architects Location: Lincoln, MA, USA A modern house in Lincoln, MA near Walden Pond, sits perched atop a hill overlooking a horse paddock and rural vistas. This dramatic site was property originally owned by John Quincy Adams and previously housed a mid-century modern home by one of America's famous modern architects Henry Hoover. - [Concord Academy Field House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/concord-academy-field-house-pj-vj~194871) - Location: Concord, MA - Photos: 3 - Description: Jacob Lilley Architects Location: Concord, MA, USA Concord Academy is independent school for grades nine through twelve, located in the center of Concord, Massachusetts. Working in collaboration with Stephen Stimson Landscape Architects the goal was to organize a 13 acre parcel to accommodate soccer/ lacrosse/ field hockey fields, tennis courts and a baseball diamond. These elements were organized around a multi-purpose field house where porches on four sides allow access and views to all venues… - [Islington Perch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/islington-perch-pj-vj~6764223) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: Modern House overlooking a bustling town - [Brook Meadows](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brook-meadows-pj-vj~7607813) - Location: Berlin, MA - Photos: 9 - [Wayland House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wayland-house-pj-vj~7023889) - Location: Wayland, MA - Photos: 11 - Description: New custom shingle style house outside of Boston - [Calacatta Nuvo Caesarstone Quartz Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/calacatta-nuvo-caesarstone-quartz-kitchen-pj-vj~6639818) - Location: Wellesley, MA - Photos: 3 - Description: Calacatta Nuvo Caesarstone quartz in a sleek and modern kitchen, with perimeter countertops, full-height backsplash, and mitered waterfall island. - [Sumner Hill Mansion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sumner-hill-mansion-pj-vj~6799856) - Location: Boston, MA - Photos: 6 [See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/jacob-lilley-architects-pfvwus-pf~1199644500) ## Ideabooks - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/119107868/list/wish-list) — 2 ideas [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/jlaarchitects) ## Community Q&A **Q: plans** *(in Photo Questions)* Are the plans available for this garage? A: Hello Tori, unfortunately all of our projects are custom homes and therefore we do not sell any drawings. Best regards, JLA **Q: inside** *(in Photo Questions)* Assume this has a upstairs as well A: It has a pull down ladder between the cars and storage above. Hope this helps. JLA **Q: Overall height for carriage house and roof pitch? Thanks :)** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The roof pitch fat the garage is 12/24 and the main roof 12/12. The height is roughly 24' feet. Hope this does the trick.. JLA **Q: Roof pitch and dimensions?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: 12:12 **Q: what is the kitchen countertop?** *(in Photo Questions)* Is it granite, quartz, or quartzite? If one of the latter two, what brand? Thank you. A: The stone was ultimately purchased by the owner and not specified through our office. Not sure if it was sealed marble or quartz. **Q: What color is the blue in the kitchen island?** *(in Photo Questions)* What color is the blue in the kitchen island? A: These colors are from Woodmode-Brookhaven who made the cabinets. The perimeter cabinets are "deep sky", and "blue toile" for the island. Regards,JLA --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-04.*