Structural Engineer for Architects | Greater Boston, Cape Cod, Newport RI

Jeff Gray II spent over six years working across three structural engineering firms, partnering with award-winning architectural practices throughout New England who refuse to let structure water down a design. JGray was built around what that taught him: the best structures come from collaboration, not handoffs. Jeff works alongside the architect from the first sketch through the entire design process, so the structure develops with the design instead of fighting it.

What Jeff brings to an architect relationship

01

Structural thinking from the first sketch

The best outcomes start in schematic design, not after architectural plans are finalized. When Jeff is brought in early, structural strategy develops in parallel with the architecture, not as a reaction to it. That means fewer late-stage surprises, better integration, and a structural system that serves the design rather than fighting it.

02

Solutions, not compromises

When a design element looks structurally unfeasible, like a complex roofline, an open floor plan, or lots of glass openings in high wind zones, Jeff's first instinct is to find the way to build it, not to scale it back. These are engineering problems with solutions.

03

Fluency in architectural intent

Jeff has spent years in the room with architects: learning what they're protecting, how they think, and what "preserving design intent" actually means in practice. That fluency changes the conversation. Structural input sounds different when it comes from someone who genuinely understands what the architecture is trying to do.

04

MEP and trade coordination built in

Conflicts between structural, architectural, and MEP systems discovered on site are expensive and disruptive, both for the project and for the relationship with the builder. JGray resolves those conflicts during design, reviewing all systems together during CDs so nothing surfaces during framing that wasn't already addressed on paper.

05

Drawings that reflect the architecture

JGray's structural drawings are coordinated with the architectural set, not generic structural templates that happen to share a project name. Connection details, framing layouts, and beam sizing are developed with the specific architectural conditions of each project in mind.

06

Responsive through construction administration

Jeff stays in the project after the drawings go out. RFI responses come directly from him, typically same-day. When field conditions create questions, the answers don't take a week to filter through a project manager. That responsiveness protects the timeline and the design intent through completion.

The difference

He came up working alongside the kind of architects he now partners with.

Six years inside high-end residential engineering

Before launching JGray, Jeff spent over six years working across three structural engineering firms in New England, finishing with four years at Siegel Associates, where the work meant active collaboration with some of the best residential architecture practices in the region, on exactly the kind of high-end custom homes JGray takes on today.

That collaboration is where JGray's approach comes from: a working understanding of how architects develop a design, what they're trying to achieve, what experiences they want to create for the homeowners, and what structural input actually helps, versus what just creates friction.

He understands what you're protecting

When an architect says the vaulted ceiling height is integral to the spatial sequence, or that a particular sightline is non-negotiable, Jeff knows what that means, and he takes it seriously. The structural solution is developed around those constraints, not despite them.

That's a different kind of structural engineering relationship. Not a vendor relationship, but a partnership where the structural engineer is genuinely invested in the outcome of the design, because the end result is a home where a family will spend a lifetime making their best memories.

How we work together

A structural engineering relationship built around your process

01

Early engagement: schematic or design development

Bring Jeff in before the structural system is locked. Early input means better outcomes: structural strategy that serves the architecture from the start.

02

Structural concept coordinated with your design

JGray develops a structural strategy in parallel with the architectural design, not as a reaction to it. Key decisions are flagged early, before they become costly constraints.

03

CDs with full trade coordination

Structural drawings coordinated with architectural and MEP sets: a full 2D set delivered with a 3D structural model. Conflicts found and resolved on paper, not on site during framing.

04

Construction administration through completion

Jeff stays in the project. Direct RFI response, site visits as needed, and a partner you can call when something unexpected comes up in the field.

Greater Boston Area colonial gambrel custom home — structural engineering by JGray

Case study

Greater Boston Area colonial gambrel: complex roof, simplified framing, zero layout compromises

A ~6,500 sf transitional colonial with overlapping gambrel roofs and a fully maximized second floor. The structural challenge: design a complex roof system without cluttering the interior with posts and beams. JGray used a single structural ridge beam, where three would typically be required, minimizing the transfer structure throughout and delivering a framing package that was straightforward to build despite the roof complexity.

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Getting started

Starting a conversation with Jeff is simple.

Reach out with a brief description of the project: location, scope, where you are in design, and who the builder is if you know. Jeff will respond within 48 hours to set up a call and determine if it's a good fit.

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Or reach Jeff directly

(508) 505-1629 [email protected]

01

Send a brief project description

Location, project type, approximate scope, and where you are in the design process. No formal RFP needed. A paragraph is enough to get started.

02

Jeff responds within 48 hours

Directly from Jeff, not an intake coordinator. He'll ask a few questions and schedule a short call to understand the project and confirm it's a good fit.

03