MY STORY
Joseph Topham’s academic training was in Engineering at the Franklin Institute of Boston and Boston University. He started his design career at Design Associates of Boston and Nantucket only to realize some years later that he wanted a more thorough understanding of the design- build process in construction. Joseph went to work with Howard Jelleme Construction, a division of Toscana Corporation, where he learned wood frame construction first hand from the foundation up.
He gained valuable experience working with historic renovations and repairs, house moving, framing, cabinetry construction and fine construction finish details, which gave him the training and qualifications to pass the Massachusetts Construction Supervisor Licensing exam. Joseph eventually became site foreman, coordinating subcontractor schedules and layout of services, working with architects and designers to create a collaborative effort to obtain the custom finish results their clients desired. Projects included custom homes on Hulbert Avenue, Baxter Road in ‘Sconset, Washing Pond Road on the Cliff, Shawkemo, Shimmo, Monomoy and in the Town’s Old Historic District.
An allergy to red cedar wood forced Joseph to return exclusively to the Architectural Design field. He earned extensive design experience at Botticelli & Pohl Architects on Nantucket over thirteen years. During his tenure there, he managed design projects, represented owners before all local Boards and Commissions, coordinated engineering and permitting documents, and interfaced on site with clients and builders alike. Over the course of two years during this time, Joseph also designed and built his own custom home, working nights and weekends.
Over thirty years of experience in design and construction and increasing demand for private consultation, Joseph decided to venture into private practice in 2006 with his own firm, Topham Design, llc. While most of his projects are on Nantucket, he has also done work for those island clients whose confidence in Joseph’s ability inspired them to retain his services for their off-island projects.
Born and raised on Nantucket, Joseph resides on island with his wife and two daughters