Scott McElrath had been around the building-design block a few times when he started Dangerous Architects 16 years ago.
The Chelsea resident had worked for architecture firms across the U.S. and even overseas in Scotland. Then he decided to make the leap into starting his own firm.
"It seemed like it was time," McElrath says. "I had absorbed enough information from other firms so I could start my own firm."
Today Dangerous Architects employs three people and a summer intern or two. One of its interns has turned into McElrath's righthand man as the firm keeps its portfolio diverse with projects in residential, commercial, light industrial and education sectors. McElrath sees work picking up this summer to the point that he expects to a hire someone in the coming months.
McElrath decided to name his company Dangerous Architects because he wanted something that stood out. He wanted to break away from the quiet, tree-hugging stereotype of architects and go with something that is a little more emotionally charged.
"I have a peculiar sense of humor," McElrath says. "I wanted something that might outlive me."
Source: Scott McElrath, president of Dangerous Architects
Writer: Jon Zemke
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