Profiles of Principals

Peter D. Polhemus, AIA, President, Architect & Builder

As president of Polhemus Savery DaSilva, Peter Polhemus brings talent, energy and vision to the work of designing and building on Cape Cod and the Islands. In addition to working closely with clients, Polhemus leads the management team that sets the mission, sustains the values, and oversees the day-to-day functions of the firm.

Born in Washington’s Crossing, Pennsylvania, Peter Polhemus received his secondary education at the Lawrenceville School and his undergraduate education at Harvard and Goddard Colleges. He pursued his post-graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received a Master of Architecture in 1979. Polhemus practiced as a project architect with several Boston firms, including Woo and Williams, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and Anne Beha & Associates where he designed institutional, commercial and residential projects.

Peter Polhemus moved with his family to Cape Cod in 1986 and served for ten years as lead architect with a design and construction firm. It was here that he met and established a close working relationship with that firm’s construction chief, Len Savery. They formed a partnership - Polhemus & Savery, Architects Builders - in Chatham, Massachusetts in 1996.

Polhemus has been active on the board of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod since 2004, serving as Vice President from 2007-2008 and President from 2008-2010.

John R. DaSilva, AIA, Architect, Design Principal

John DaSilva joined Peter Polhemus and Len Savery in 1998 and became design partner in 2000. DaSilva brings talent and commitment to the firm, where he is principal designer and is responsible for directing the architectural and interior design staff and setting aesthetic direction for commercial, institutional, and residential projects.

Raised in Danbury, Connecticut, John DaSilva studied architecture at Princeton University where he received an A.B. Architecture, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and at Yale University School of Architecture, where he received a Master of Architecture and was awarded the Carrol L.V. Meeks Memorial Scholarship for outstanding academic performance.

DaSilva has worked at several distinguished architectural firms including Cesar Pelli and Associates and Venturi, Rauch and Scott Brown. At Cesar Pelli and Associates, DaSilva served in project design and construction administration capacities on university, healthcare and commercial projects.

Aaron D. Polhemus, CSL, Chief Operating Officer, Builder

As Chief Operating Officer of Polhemus Savery DaSilva, Aaron Polhemus oversees the business operations of our entire company. Throughout the phases of a project’s work, from concept to completion, Aaron works closely with our design and construction team. He leads our company-wide commitment that each project, regardless of scope or complexity, is managed with care, precision and efficiency.

Aaron is a graduate of the University of Vermont where he studied sociology and business entrepreneurship. As a Licensed Construction Supervisor with a business background, Aaron is responsible for executing our comprehensive, quality focused, project management model and for directing our construction and maintenance staff. He is committed to providing clients with accountability, clear communication, and budget control – measures that maximize the high level of value we provide. Aaron also maintains business relationships with an extensive network of trade partners--relationships that provide clients an additional measure of value.