Thoughtforms Corporation

Thoughtforms has earned praise from a litany of high-end architects—no small feat, given that contractors and architects rarely see eye to eye on a project. As one architect with a well-known firm puts it, "Thoughtforms is very organized, always on top of everything, and always thinking ahead." He also notes that the firm "ensures that the client has a clear understanding of all facets of the job."

Photo: A study in sinuous curves, this North Shore house exemplifies Thoughtforms' cutting-edge work.