HMFH Architects

To know HMFH is to know its people. We are avid learners, who feed off the constant buzz of creativity and exchange, inspiring a culture of connectivity. We believe it’s our passion that drives us to the best design solutions and our expertise and experience that make it possible.

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Nallely Salazar

Nallely Salazar

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Nallely  Salazar

I was inspired to pursue architecture because of my creative skills and realization of the lack of diversity and inclusion in the profession.

Our People

Nallely Salazar

With a desire to apply her creative skills and create spaces that build community, Nallely moved from Ecuador to Boston to pursue her B.Arch from the Boston Architectural College. Seeing a lack of diversity and gender inclusion, Nallely is inspired to make an impact, apply her creativity, and drive change in the profession. Her approach to any challenge is summed up by the words she keeps in mind: let’s change the question from ‘what is the worst that can happen?’ to ‘what is the best that can happen?’. Outside of architecture, Nallely enjoys exploring different neighborhoods and cultures and capturing her explorations through different mediums including embroidery, photography, and watercolor painting.

What is the last book you read?

The Thinking Hand by Juhani Pallasmaa, which challenges the reader to explore architecture through a multi-sensory approach.

Vickie Barrile

Vickie Barrile

Accounting and Benefits Administrator

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Vickie  Barrile

As a parent with three school age children I take pride in the thought and detail that go into HMFH school designs.

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Vickie Barrile

Accounting and Benefits Administrator

Vickie’s organizational skills paired with her positive disposition make her an asset not only in the accounting department, but in the firm. The best piece of advice she says she’s ever received is that “the one constant in life is change, roll with it” and seems to do just that as she tackles the daily challenges of organizing our financial records and ensuring that we all have our timesheets submitted on time.

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

Conversations over dinner with my family.

George Metzger

George Metzger

Principal Emeritus

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George  Metzger

It's all about people... the needs of end-users, the vision of clients and the creativity of colleagues... good architecture is a collaborative process that evolves and engages.

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George Metzger

AIA

Principal Emeritus

Through leadership and a commitment to collaboration, the design teams George leads create spaces that promote, enhance, and support community. He believes community ownership, engagement in the process and the success of the finished project are the best measures of success. A skilled leader, George guides clients, communities, designers, and builders to achieve solutions that consistently exceed expectations, earning him the role of friend and trusted adviser to clients and colleagues. For more than four decades, he has nurtured and challenged his colleagues to ensure that the firm remains committed to its clients, true to its values, and open to change. He is particularly proud to have led the firm from its beginnings as a small, all white male practice to the diverse workplace and certified women-owned business it is today. As President of the Boston Society of Architects (BSA), he championed the BSA’s role in shaping public policy that promotes good design and improves the built environment for all, a fitting legacy for the fourth George Metzger architect in his family.

What do like most about working at HMFH?

I have always appreciated the serious informality of the office, our respectful treatment of staff, clients and business partners, and our culture of professional development and constructive teamwork. In my years at HMFH, the firm, the profession and the practice all have evolved constantly in response to technology, public policy, regulation and social need.

 

Steven Paquette

Steven Paquette

Architectural Visualization Coordinator

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Steven  Paquette

In architecture school I developed a love for graphics and diagramming. I saw them as tools for storytelling, and a creative, visual way to communicate my ideas.

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Steven Paquette

Architectural Visualization Coordinator

Steven’s love for the visual side of architecture began early after a trip to Disney World when the design of the castle caught his eye; he began drawing castles with various themes and selling them to other kids in his school. His passion for artistic and creative pursuits expanded from castles to a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and studying the History of Art. If he weren’t working in architecture, he might have become an art teacher to help creative minds reveal their potential. At HMFH, Steven’s visualizations communicate both the technical aspects of architecture and his belief that graphics are essential tools for storytelling.

What is one thing your co-workers might not know about you?

I played Muggle Quidditch for a few years in college. It’s essentially a full-contact sport with very little protective equipment – I broke two fingers.

Holly Miller

Holly Miller

Associate

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Holly  Miller

The built environment impacts how we locate ourselves in the world in both subtle and obvious ways.

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Holly Miller

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Associate

When asked what the best piece of advice is that she has received, Holly said, “there is no ONE right answer,” which seems fitting given her collaborative approach to architecture. Though her world vision has evolved, her commitment to becoming an architect and shaping the world around her hasn’t; she decided she wanted to be an architect in third grade and has more than 20 years of experience designing learning environments. Satisfying a need to both think big and to be detail oriented, Holly loves the range of experiences she has as an architect, from thinking about how students learn to resolving a complex detail during construction. She provides design leadership, maintains client relationships, and coordinates consultants and internal teams, thriving on the collaborative nature of the design industry.

What advice would you give to aspiring architects?

Draw the world around you!

Matt LaRue

Matt LaRue

Associate Principal & Stockholder

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Matt  LaRue

Because we construct the environments we live in, design is constantly around us and often a source of happiness. When design falls short, we lose that source of joy.

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Matt LaRue

AIA, LEED Green Associate

Associate Principal & Stockholder

Matt is an award-winning designer who skillfully integrates sustainability with program needs and overall design. He combines a strongly logical process with a creative and consistent pursuit of the details – the exact light, color, pattern and material – that enriches and breathes life into each project. Through his design leadership and more than fifteen years of experience designing schools, housing and other institutional facilities, projects become joyful places for learning, living and working. In addition to working at HMFH, community and urban activism, and spending time with his family, Matt teaches the Level 5 Studio class at Northeastern University’s School of Architecture, where he coordinates studio coursework with a sustainable building-systems course.

Why are you an architect?

Practicing architecture allows you to wrestle around in the realm of the abstract, but then it rewards you with this physical thing that will stand for a long time.

 

John Miller

John Miller

Principal Emeritus

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John  Miller

I enjoy all aspects of the architecture profession and civic engagement...and I never tire of the collaborative process necessary to make good buildings and good policy.

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John Miller

FAIA

Principal Emeritus

John’s personal legacy is one of collaboration and consensus building, and this legacy has infused HMFH’s identity as a firm. As a founding principal, John led many of the firm’s significant projects, including the preservation of a beloved historic building for the Lincoln School in Winchester, the humanizing effect of natural light for urban Charlestown High School, and the bold geometry of Coastal Cement Corporation. Projects under his leadership have been honored with numerous awards, including two Walter Taylor Awards, the American Association of School Administrators’ highest honor.

John’s near fifty years of experience make him a valuable resource both in and out of the office. He has maintained active civic and professional engagement throughout his career, guiding public policy that affects the built environment including tackling international issues of accreditation reciprocity and participating in his own neighborhood’s zoning board. More than twenty years ago, John was a founding member, and continues to co-chair, the BSA’s Educational Facilities Committee, a group that facilitates dialogue between architects and policymakers by working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to establish regulations and standards for public schools in the Commonwealth.

 

Billy Nicolas

Billy Nicolas

Technology Coordinator

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Billy  Nicolas

I have a love for business, but a passion for technology.

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Billy Nicolas

Technology Coordinator

As our Technology Coordinator, Billy is constantly tackling a variety of challenges and plays an integral role in our daily operations. He approaches each task as an opportunity to learn something new and loves IT because he’s always developing, adapting, applying his skills to assist others. When he’s not implementing a technology solution, he may be doing a deep dive into YouTube, learning about crypto or exploring some of Cambridge’s parks.

If you had one superpower what would it be?

Teleporting

Mirtha Suero

Mirtha Suero

Associate & Assistant Office Manager

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Mirtha  Suero

Some of my favorite places in Boston are the Boston Public Library, Rose Kennedy Greenway, and the Boston Children's Museum. From a parent's perspective, I think it is a wonderful place for kids.

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Mirtha Suero

Associate & Assistant Office Manager

Mirtha performs the herculean task of keeping everyone’s needs in balance and making sure it all gets done. And she does so with an extraordinary amount of patience and tenacity. She has an insider’s knowledge of how HMFH’s designs work, having attended two schools designed by our firm, and has a sense of humor that strengthens our firm’s culture and reinforces HMFH’s deeply held belief that people are at the heart of why we do what we do.

If you weren’t working in architecture, what would you be doing?

I would like to be helping immigrants and might work for a non-profit organization that either helps adjust immigration status or helps immigrants adjust to life in the U.S.—particularly Massachusetts—by connecting them with all the resources the state has to offer.

Soha Mohammed-Eltaher

Soha Mohammed-Eltaher

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Soha  Mohammed-Eltaher

To me, architecture is not only about shelter, but also about giving back to the community—and that is what I love about it.

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Soha Mohammed-Eltaher

Soha avidly pursues her education with the belief that the best architects never stop learning. While first earning her Bachelor of Science in Architecture and now her Master of Architecture from Northeastern, Soha has spent semesters and summers at HMFH, building upon her theoretical coursework with a range of projects. From participating in firm-wide design reviews to modeling and testing perforation patterns for sun shades to determine the ideal balance of natural light, Soha learned that one is never alone in figuring everything out. Valuing the collaborative nature of the design process, Soha loves the ability to not only build something, but also to design in a way that benefits society.

What has been one of your favorite experiences at HMFH?

I attended a design review where everyone from the firm—not just the project team—provided input. It made me understand the rigor needed to develop a project and how much HMFH values collaboration.

Tracey Clarke

Tracey Clarke

Associate & Project Accounts Manager

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Tracey  Clarke

Architecture has many facets that make it all come together, some of it behind the scenes. Knowing I have a role in this creative process is very rewarding.

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Tracey Clarke

Associate & Project Accounts Manager

Tracey may be best known for her exceptionally tidy and organized office. She believes “it is all in the details” and when not examining budgets and contracts, or admiring the design details in HMFH’s projects, she may be found repositioning a crooked picture somewhere in the office. She is perhaps one of those rare people that is both left and right brained. She has both a knack for the numbers and organizational strategies, making her an incredible asset to the accounting department, and for interior design and art, which allow her to appreciate the visual aspect of architecture.

What do you like most about HMFH?

The fact that I love what I do, the place where I work, and the people I work with. Not many people can say that.

Mario Torroella

Mario Torroella

Principal Emeritus

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Mario  Torroella

The element of surprise in a building is necessary to give it life, humor and interest, which are different ways of saying individuality. The building becomes more interesting to be in when one is able to learn and appreciate the different components that add up to a totality. The user becomes more identified with the building, and a sense of place becomes a reality.

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Mario Torroella

FAIA

Principal Emeritus

As Design Director, Mario’s nurtures a creative spirit that infuses the firm’s recognized attention to detail and focus on how buildings work. By establishing clarity of purpose for a given space, Mario deftly guides a project team through the sensitive development of buildings that, in their human scale and appropriateness of use, create a strong sense of place with clear navigation. Bright colors, shifting daylight and unexpected window connections create an element of surprise, imbuing a building with life, humor and interest. Under Mario’s design direction, HMFH projects have been honored for excellence in school design, historic preservation, adaptive reuse and housing, including six Walter Taylor Awards and three K-12 Educational Facilities Awards from the Boston Society of Architects. An accomplished artist, Mario’s paintings and tapestries have been exhibited throughout the United States and abroad including solo shows in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Nantes, France; and Boston. His work hangs in The Museum of Contemporary Art of Vélez-Málaga, Spain and can be viewed at www.mario-torroella.squarespace.com.

Vassilios Valaes

Vassilios Valaes

Senior Associate & Stockholder

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Vassilios  Valaes

It is always a delight to interact with products, spaces and buildings that have been designed with the user in mind.

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Vassilios Valaes

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Senior Associate & Stockholder

Vassilios is a passionate architect whose meticulous care is inspired by his enthusiasm for every aspect of his work as a project manager and project architect. Vassilios’s strength as a collaborative problem-solver creates strong working relationships with clients, fellow designers and our consultants, enabling him to respond to clients’ needs by engaging the firm’s considerable collective resources and knowledge. His dedication and conscientious care builds trusted relationships with school and municipal leaders and his management of multiple successful projects with clients is a testament to the strength of his relationships.

If you weren’t working at HMFH, what would you be doing?

Sailing.

 

Julie Darling

Julie Darling

Associate & Technology Leader

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Julie  Darling

Buildings are such an integral part of the human experience. Architects are necessary to inform that experience.

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Julie Darling

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Associate & Technology Leader

Julie is a Massachusetts native who grew up on a 50-acre farm raising cows, pigs, chickens and rabbits before attending Wentworth Institute of Technology for both her Bachelors and Masters in architecture. Julie is enthusiastic about how the latest technology can aide the design and construction process, and enjoys assisting her coworkers with software utilization for documentation and coordination. She loves working in her garden, exploring the Middlesex Fells Reservation, and, if she wasn’t an architect, she’d probably swap out her heels for a pair of hiking boots and head for the Appalachian trail.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Every big task can be broken down into smaller tasks, and smaller tasks are always easier to tackle.

Robert Williams

Robert Williams

Associate Principal & Stockholder

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Robert  Williams

HMFH is filled with architects of all backgrounds and special expertise. It is an office with tremendous resources and a great reputation.

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Robert Williams

AIA, LEED AP

Associate Principal & Stockholder

Bobby is a natural and enthusiastic leader with a diverse skillset that enables him to guide project teams and clients through a design process that is effective, efficient and enjoyable for all involved. With a background in finance, his expertise managing project budgets and complex schedules ensures that projects come in on time and on budget. With this same attention to detail, he devotes significant time and effort to understand the specific needs of each client and translate community input into inspiring designs that enhance the learning experience. Bobby’s ability to engage students, teachers and administrators paired with his knowledge of specialized and highly technical designs has shaped HMFH’s career technical education practice.

What are you “known for” around the office?

I am a very competitive person and like to turn everything into a competition.

Lori Cowles

Lori Cowles

Principal & Stockholder

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Lori  Cowles

When design solves challenges efficiently, effectively and elegantly, the final design outcome seems inevitable.

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Lori Cowles

AIA, ALEP, LEED AP

Principal & Stockholder

Lori’s energy is driven by her commitment to designing meaningful civic buildings and nurturing a creative, collaborative and aspirational design firm. Lori’s big-picture-small-picture skills are well matched to her work with master plans and feasibility studies, both of which require generating and considering multiple solutions to design challenges and sufficiently investigating and evaluating the details of each solution. Lori’s ability to articulate a vision for an entire project makes her a valuable presenter at public meetings, where she is instrumental in gathering and integrating community ideas and garnering support. Lori’s professional engagement extends to her leadership of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Outreach Committee, deepening HMFH’s involvement in the Cambridge community.

Why do you think design is important?

Design touches every aspect of every person’s life, and when done well it creates moments of joy, ease, and comfort.

Erxiao Chu

Erxiao Chu

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Erxiao  Chu

I’m drawn to the belief that ‘design is about people’ because it’s a really powerful statement and similar to my intention in pursuing architecture.

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Erxiao Chu

LEED Green Associate

Erxiao’s interest in architecture grew from his grandfather’s influence, also an architect, as well as the ancient buildings in Beijing where he grew up. He believes that the key to designing successful spaces is understanding the people who will use the building. Having spent time in New York obtaining his M.S. of Architecture from Columbia University, Erxiao is excited to explore Boston and make the transition from academia to HMFH where he can apply a range of skills to our educational projects.

What is one thing your co-workers might not know about you?

I’m actually quite good at geography having learned it well in high school.

Aarjith Janardhan

Aarjith Janardhan

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Aarjith  Janardhan

The versatility of an architect’s profession and the process of transforming lines on paper to structures with scale are some of the reasons why I chose architecture.

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Aarjith Janardhan

AIA, NOMA

Having family involved in art and engineering may have made his entry into the architectural profession inevitable, but it was during his parents’ home renovation when he found himself at the site daily that Aarjith really learned the details. Through his work designing single and multi-family residential buildings, as well as health and commercial projects, Aarjith has been engaged in all phases of design from conceptual through site supervision. He loves being outside, and with his background in athletics and love of soccer, he’s quickly become an integral member of HMFH’s softball team.

What are some of your favorite spaces in (or around) Boston? 

The late I.M. Pei was one of my favorite architects so the Hancock tower at Copley Square is special to me. It’s a tough question as Boston has many beautiful spaces; the beauty of the city is that the same space is transformed throughout the year as the seasons change.

Philip “Pip” Lewis

Philip “Pip” Lewis

Principal

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Philip “Pip”  Lewis

A well-planned environment enriches the lives of its users and inspires them to higher levels of aspiration and achievement.

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Philip “Pip” Lewis

AIA, NOMA, LEED AP

Principal

Pip enjoys solving difficult design problems, especially complex, thorny, urban ones. He works very closely with clients to help them wrestle with challenges including budget, design, logistics, and community concerns. Through engagement and iteration, he arrives at successful solutions that exceed expectations, frequently in unexpected ways. He knows how to reduce the risk of a complex renovation project or a tight site in a sensitive neighborhood while shaping the design to enrich the lives of both users and neighbors. He works tirelessly because he knows the ultimate beneficiaries – students – prosper when they attend great schools that fit seamlessly within their communities.

What do like most about working at HMFH?

The high ethical standards all around, high quality design work, and the fact that building schools is a feel-good way to spend a career – we get to work on lots of successful building projects.

Hannah Keith

Hannah Keith

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Hannah  Keith

I want design to be part of the change in public schooling to make it easy for every student to learn in the way that is best.

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Hannah Keith

LEED Green Associate

From her drafting class at her technical high school to her thesis work as she earned her M.Arch from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Hannah’s focus and passion is architecture that supports all learners. Whether figuring out the best tactile and play-based learning experiences in the classroom, or creating spaces in which students feel welcome, supported, and safe, Hannah recognizes that good design is inclusive design. Second only to Hannah’s love for participating in the design process as it goes from idea to built space, is her love for Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox.

Why are you an architect?

I want to design new kinds of spaces that help children learn.

Mike Saganich

Mike Saganich

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Mike  Saganich

I feel strongly about environmental issues; seems like a crazy thing to take chances with.

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Mike Saganich

Mike balances a strong design sensibility with technical expertise to develop solutions that meet functional, aesthetic, and sustainability goals. His passions extend from working on vintage bicycles to meeting the demands of climate change through energy-conscious design projects. Having grown up with a parent in the building industry, Mike has been around construction sites and doing hands-on building projects since an early age. He was a key team member on the design of a net zero field house in Putney, Vermont built more than a decade ago and has continued to advocate and push our sustainable practice forward while working on projects at HMFH.

What are some of your favorite spaces in (or around) Boston?

I like wandering through the Harvard campus over by the Science and Law schools. The plaza at the Christian Science Center is cool too.

The commitment to making great spaces for teaching and learning is manifest in the culture of the studio and the design process.

Alicia Crothers AIA, LEED AP

Deborah Collins

Deborah Collins

Senior Associate

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Deborah  Collins

Nothing is more difficult than making something look simple. I have a sugar packet that I found in Dublin, in Gaelic it says 'What fills the eye fills the heart'.

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Deborah Collins

AIA

Senior Associate

Deborah brings sensitivity, care and attention to detail to both her design work and in her interactions with clients and team members. As the leader of HMFH’s internal design committee, Deborah’s design sensibility impacts every project. Her unassuming and collaborative approach resonates with clients and colleagues. She works hard to guide clients through a fully-informed decision-making process resulting in thoughtful designs that are elegant, efficient and cost-effective.

What are you “known for” around the office?

I’d like to think that people look to me to advocate for design.

Inhwan Choi

Inhwan Choi

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Inhwan  Choi

I like the fact that HMFH really cares about kids’ educational spaces.

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Inhwan Choi

AIA

Walk by Inhwan’s desk and the odds are pretty good that he’ll either be huddled with a few people on his design team, working collaboratively on a design detail, or he’ll have an infectious smile on his face and be making his entire studio laugh with a quiet joke. Inhwan’s prior work has spanned the globe and project types, from mixed use developments, airports, and higher ed throughout the U.S., to planning and design work for a parsonage in Myanmar, but it’s Korea where his family is that might have the greatest draw. Inhwan says he’s an architect because he can communicate through architectural drawings, but if he wasn’t, he might express himself through fine arts – sculpture and paintings.

Why do you think design is important?

Because we will get an uncomfortable, complicated, and expensive space or object without design.

Caroline Dolan

Caroline Dolan

Marketing Coordinator

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Caroline  Dolan

I find it exciting to develop and refine narrative for a project. With the majority of HMFH projects being highly complex educational facilities, it’s an interesting challenge to communicate all the ideas behind a project so they can be quickly and easily understood.

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Caroline Dolan

Marketing Coordinator

Caroline brings a unique perspective to marketing efforts: with a Bachelor’s of Science in architecture she is knowledgeable about the complex and technical components of the design process but weaves that knowledge in with her strength as a writer and storyteller. Her ability to tackle any new challenge and the speed with which she masters the skills to do so are perhaps only matched by her hobbies outside of work – hitting the ski slopes and running. With an infectious sense of humor, Caroline’s contributions to the marketing department keep us organized, on target, and often laughing through shared stories.

What is one thing your co-workers might not know about you?

I love horror movies and my favorite holiday is Halloween! I have one of those Christmas Village setups but for Halloween.

Devin Canton

Devin Canton

Senior Associate & Technology Innovation Leader & Stockholder

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Devin  Canton

I love art, construction and technology...put them together and you have well-designed buildings that inspire.

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Devin Canton

AIA, NOMA

Senior Associate & Technology Innovation Leader & Stockholder

Devin Canton is a skilled project architect, technician and teacher who has led the firm in its integration of BIM best practices with design standards and training HMFH colleagues to use technology to elevate design and ensure project success. Devin uses 3-D modeling to fully integrate architectural and engineering components and bring clarity to the design process, helping clients understand how future buildings will effectively facilitate teaching and learning. A key member of the firm’s Standards and IT working groups, Devin draws on years of design experience, his strong organizational bent and his passion for technology to further the firm’s goals including building and refining a standards library that supports all project teams and ensuring the smooth and seamless executive of BIM. Devin is the co-chair of the Worcester Conservation Commission and an active member of AIA Central Massachusetts.

If you weren’t working at HMFH what would you be doing?

Gardening.

 

James Liebman

James Liebman

Senior Associate & Stockholder

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James  Liebman

I believe our job as architects is to collaborate on a clear design vision upon which the entire client, stakeholder, design, and construction team can base critical decisions, forming a durable consensus. Clearly seeing that vision in a completed project is a thrill and a huge source of pride.

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James Liebman

AIA, LEED AP

Senior Associate & Stockholder

Throughout 20 years of experience, James has focused on urban and campus buildings and the public spaces around them. While living in Glasgow, Scotland, New York City, Philadelphia and Boston, James has worked on a range of project types to assist clients in meeting and defining new institutional goals which embody his clients’ identity and aspirations. At HMFH, he is a trusted advisor and mentor. His understanding of the technical aspects of architecture together with his ability to efficiently and effectively convey a design vision, whether with clients, consultants, colleagues, or in public forums, has helped garner community support for several of the firm’s major projects. James began a successful program at HMFH to regularly deliver hot meals to a local homeless women’s shelter and it is this ability to bring people together to better the world around him that is reflected in much of his work.

What advice would you give to aspiring architects?

Find something you love outside of architecture, make time for it, and do it with others.

Maddie Laberge

Maddie Laberge

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Maddie  Laberge

I’m very interested in the small details that make up each project and how that can influence a user’s perception of space. I also appreciate a focus on sustainability and attention to each material’s use and purpose.

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Maddie Laberge

Maddie grew up with art and says she was attracted to architecture after taking a high school class and seeing how the same design thinking is applied to the built environment. Her portfolio is an expression of the design process through all of these means; she uses physical models, hand sketching, concrete casting and digital design programs to convey spatial concepts in both 2D and 3D form. She believes that it is impossible to be bored in architecture because it combines so many disciplines, but we have a hard time believing Maddie could ever get bored with her varied interests in set design, baking, reading, and travel. Maddie graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture as well as a minor in Sustainable Construction Management.

What is one thing your co-workers might not know about you?

I know (some) German. I learned in high school and can still carry on a conversation in a restaurant or small talk.

Connor Heinzman

Connor Heinzman

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Connor  Heinzman

Architecture is most thrilling because there is always a new challenge to engage with. Creative endeavors are extremely expansive and engaging.

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Connor Heinzman

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Connor’s advice to aspiring architects is to ‘stay forever a student, in school and in practice’ which exemplifies his inquisitive nature. Whether reading every plaque in a museum exhibit, or better understanding the differences between the way a design was intended to work and how the owners actually end up using it, Connor is driven to a deeper understanding of the way the world around him works. He is always up for a challenge, from joining architectural trivia nights at the Boston Society of Architects to pick-up games of soccer but draws the line at skydiving.

What is one thing your co-workers might not know about you?

Having grown up in the south, I’ve done incredibly well at not using “y’all” (or at least I hope so).

Liza Bouton

Liza Bouton

Associate & Marketing Manager

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Liza  Bouton

It's incredibly rewarding to work somewhere that I get to witness the creative process every day. Translating that process and its outcomes into compelling stories is my mission because when it's successful, people connect, learn, and share.

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Liza Bouton

LEED AP

Associate & Marketing Manager

Liza’s penchant for list-making and organizing is evident in the many sticky notes that define her workspace. She explored roles in several fields before joining HMFH and likes the fact that architecture bridges art, sustainability, and urban planning among other fields. She loves to tell our firm’s stories, and does so through the firm’s many forward-facing efforts. She has an ability to keep her head in many projects at once, and keep the firm’s long-term efforts moving forward, perhaps one of the trickiest things to do in a creative environment. Though she lives and works in Cambridge, Liza is quite fond of the state of Vermont where she was born and raised. Her collection of flannel shirts pay tribute to these roots, as does her love of snow and the quart of pure Vermont maple syrup that is a staple in the office refrigerator.

Vianely Franco

Vianely Franco

Project Coordinator

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Vianely  Franco

Architecture is the living memory that the world has about how each generation has lived, and that is fascinating for me.

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Vianely Franco

LEED Green Associate

Project Coordinator

Vianely’s patience and perseverance may be key to her ability to maintain focus in a busy, collaborative environment and to find solutions to seemingly intractable challenges, qualities that she also points to when asked what fictional character she might identify with, and why (her answer: Hermione Granger from Harry Potter). As a Project Coordinator, she is essential to our planning and project activities, and draws on skills gained through a range of prior experience including work for the Dominican Senate. She has a background in interior design, project management, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received? 

From my Dad: “Your journey is yours; don’t compare it to anybody else’s and be proud of it.”

Ania Matteson

Ania Matteson

Associate

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Ania  Matteson

Some of the best advice I received is to 'do what you love, and love what you do.'

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Ania Matteson

Associate

Ania believes that each project presents unique opportunities to develop distinctive architectural solutions and has demonstrated this in her work for both higher education and public K-12 school clients. Don’t let her monochromatic wardrobe choices fool you, Ania’s creative architectural solutions include some of HMFH’s most color-rich, engaging environments. She also has a passion for traveling, which has taken her to Turkey, Europe, Japan, Mexico, Thailand as well as home to Kraków, Poland where she grew up and earned a masters in architecture and urban design from the Kraków University of Technology. Recently Ania and her family adopted two guinea pigs and discovered the delightful phenomenon of “popcorning.”

What do you like most about HMFH?

Knowing that our work creates inspiring spaces for children to learn, grow, and have fun.

Laura Wernick

Laura Wernick

Principal Emeritus

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Laura  Wernick

I believe good design has the power to enhance people's lives and make the world a better place, one project at a time.

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Laura Wernick

FAIA, LEED AP

Principal Emeritus

Laura’s belief in the power of the environment to impact student success informs all aspects of her professional practice. Her knowledge of the physical, social, emotional and pedagogical basis of education and her leadership in school design results in innovative schools, influences her colleagues and shapes the culture of the firm. Working closely with educators, Laura begins each project by initiating a process to fully understand the education community’s aspirational goals, programs and culture. Whether integrating social services into an urban middle school, developing maker spaces for independent schools or leading a groundbreaking effort to unify vocational and academic programs, Laura incorporates ideas from an array of stakeholders and draws on her depth of experience to arrive at unique and exciting solutions for each project.

When she’s not designing learning spaces on the ground, Laura’s head is in the clouds. Literally. She uses her airplane and glider licenses to continually explore new horizons.

Has your career taken you anywhere you didn’t expect?

I think what I least expected and one of the things I have enjoyed the most is getting to know so many wonderful educators who care so deeply about what they do and are always finding ways to do it better. I see their professional dedication and creativity as being quite parallel to that of so many of the architects with whom I work.

Caitlin Osepchuk

Caitlin Osepchuk

Associate

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Caitlin  Osepchuk

Be persistent, never give up. You may not end up where you think you want to be, but you'll get where you need to be.

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Caitlin Osepchuk

AIA

Associate

Caitlin originally wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon but after taking a high school drafting class, found her love for architecture. She thoroughly enjoys solving puzzles, which translates into her ability to find optimal adjacencies and fully immerse herself in space planning and design projects. A graduate of Roger Williams University, and native of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, Caitlin has spent most of her life by the ocean and plans to move to an island and be a dive master when she retires from architecture.

If you weren’t working in architecture, what would you be doing?

Probably working with animals, either fostering or as a veterinarian.

Paul Belanger

Paul Belanger

Controller

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Paul  Belanger

I appreciate that HMFH treats its employees so respectfully.

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Paul Belanger

Controller

In Paul’s role overseeing the firm’s finances, he completes financial reporting, forecasting, and management to ensure that HMFH’s creative efforts are grounded in fiscal responsibility. You’ll find him in the Downtown Crossing area on most weekends, frequenting theater productions; when he’s not at a speaker series or Broadway in Boston show, he may be engaging in his other passions including cooking, gardening and biking.

What is one thing your co-workers might not know about you?

I worked here over 20 years ago.

Colin Dockrill

Colin Dockrill

Senior Associate, Graphic Designer & Stockholder

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Colin  Dockrill

I'm always drawn to contrasts, whether its colors playing off each other, the balance between heavy text and white space, and most of all that sweet spot where you see all the light that makes up the shadows that make a composition sing.

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Colin Dockrill

AIGA

Senior Associate, Graphic Designer & Stockholder

Colin’s design influence can be seen in the firm’s print materials and presentations as well as in finished buildings. He works closely with design teams to select colors, materials and furnishings; to promote wayfinding and orientation; and to give each building that unique character that engages its occupants. Whether in the design of dynamic floorscapes, painterly tile murals that enliven major interior spaces, visually clever directional graphics, or memorials to historic events or cherished citizens, Colin helps give form to HMFH’s belief that each building should reflect the culture and values of its community. His tenacious pursuit of design in unexpected elements has contributed to the firm’s long list of design awards not just for our buildings, but for terrazzo flooring, creative lighting, and other elements that make our projects unique and valued by our clients.

What keeps you busy outside of work?

I’m constantly seeing old, unfinished home renovation projects spur new ones. I imagine I’m layering, like Olmsted, my community garden plot in Boston and a bigger, better spot in Nova Scotia. I am a seasonally-motivated runner; Couch-to-5k is my friend. I imagine I should be a real artist not a 9-5 one, while I plan travels for myself, no matter how small. Escape is as exciting as the stamps in my Canadian passport and my excess vacation time is as elusive as my favourite childhood trauma – Bigfoot.

David Roach

David Roach

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David  Roach

I love that architecture blends both the Arts and Sciences; the creative and the pragmatic.

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David Roach

AIA

When asked what advice he would give aspiring architects, David suggests not overlooking the value of practical knowledge, noting that an understanding of how a building gets put together makes one a better designer. He has become intimately familiar with the details through his 20 years of experience in architecture and planning in the institutional realm. David loves the two opposite ends of the design spectrum: the development or building details and urban design/planning, and has an affinity for the narrow streets and pocket parks throughout Boston’s historic residential neighborhoods – especially Charlestown, Beacon Hill, and the North End.

Why are you an architect? 

I’ve always been a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ kind of person. I think the role of the architect personifies this aphorism perfectly. We are both artists and scientists who blend the two tradition to enable abstract creative ideas to be transformed into physical realities.

I appreciate the collaborative studio style of HMFH. It is wonderful to be on a team with so many experienced leaders in the field.

Hazel Ryerson AIA

Tina Stanislaski

Tina Stanislaski

Principal & Stockholder

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Tina  Stanislaski

Good design creates beauty and joy, and enriches our lives.

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Tina Stanislaski

AIA, LEED AP

Principal & Stockholder

Tina combines her architectural skill with talent for communication and public presentation, enabling her to gauge a community’s needs, articulate design concepts and goals, and foster stakeholder support. She has lead a variety of educational projects with a balanced sensibility and focus, often overcoming the challenges of financial, space and schedule constraints with design solutions that exceed clients’ expectations. Her thoughtful, collaborative approach earns her colleagues’ admiration and trust. Not only is she a respected leader in the office, but also co-chairs the Boston Society of Architects K-12 Educational Facilities Committee and was invited to serve with Governor Deval Patrick and the Gun Violence Task Force to pass gun control in Massachusetts, specifically in schools.

What’s your personal design philosophy?

Always think about design in three dimensions like sculpture. I try to design and create buildings where the user has many vantage points into spaces to allow them to appreciate the space from below, above, and places in between. This creates joy and surprise.

Alexandra Christiana

Alexandra Christiana

Associate & Sustainability Leader

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Alexandra  Christiana

I have always been fascinated by the process of turning an idea into a tangible object.

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Alexandra Christiana

AIA, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, LFA

Associate & Sustainability Leader

Alexandra is an architect, advocate, mentor, researcher, and one of HMFH’s Sustainability Leaders. She pairs her expertise in building science with a passion for educating those around her, whether fellow HMFHers or others outside the office through mentorship programs, committee leadership roles, or at regional and national conferences. Alexandra is helping shape industry standards through advocacy for increased transparency in building materials, shared expertise in energy-efficient lighting design, and research on healthy building materials.

What is one thing your co-workers might not know about you?

I enjoy printmaking, particularly creating copper plate etchings and monotypes.

Jaime McGavin

Jaime McGavin

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Jaime  McGavin

I am most proud of the drawings and paintings in my academic portfolio because my interest in visual arts is what led me to exploring the field of architecture when I was younger.

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Jaime McGavin

LEED AP BD+C

Asked what advice Jaime would give to aspiring architects she said, “to be ready for a new challenge every day” which seems to mirror the attitude she brings to the office every day. She embraces challenges big and small, from conceptualizing resilient designs to withstand future sea level rise, to reviewing submittals and RFIs. Jaime received her Master of Architecture from Roger Williams University and has degrees in Visual Arts and Architectural History as well, a background that makes her well-prepared to convey design concepts to clients though a range of graphics. Perhaps the secret to her even-keeled approach and optimism is the way she starts her day – an almost daily sunrise run along the esplanade.

What websites do you check regularly?

Dezeen, NPR (music section), and ArchDaily

Melissa Greene

Melissa Greene

Senior Associate & Stockholder

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Melissa  Greene

I enjoy the challenge of working within tight budgets and still creating beautiful buildings. I love that the end result of all the hard work we do is a space that is not just occupiable but that is engaging...schools that kids are excited to go to every day.

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Melissa Greene

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Senior Associate & Stockholder

Melissa’s design sense and attention to detail are evident in the playful, engaging learning environments of her projects. Known for her tenacity when presented with a complex design challenge, Melissa is skilled at refining the details while strengthening the overall design of a building. Eager to expand the dialogue about colleagues’ work in the office, Melissa launched the firm’s successful Wake Up Pin Up sessions, a lively, coffee- and bagel-fueled format for sharing ongoing projects at HMFH.

If you weren’t working at HMFH what would you be doing?

My only other dream job would be to take care of the pandas at the zoo.

Stephanie MacNeil

Stephanie MacNeil

Associate & Sustainability Leader

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Stephanie  MacNeil

I got the travel bug after a semester abroad in Germany and honeymoon in Australia… I love to experience new places and see how other cultures live their daily lives in very different and yet often very similar ways.

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Stephanie MacNeil

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Associate & Sustainability Leader

Stephanie believes the key to successful collaboration is the ability to listen and uplift each unique skillset. She puts this into practice in her role as a Sustainability Leader at HMFH and on the job site, where she works closely with team members, consultants, and clients to develop inclusive, creative, and sustainable design solutions. Stephanie’s technical knowledge and hands-on, collaborative design approach streamlines the firm’s ability to achieve ambitious sustainability goals—from energy targets to fossil fuel free designs. Whether she is driving internal project standards or presenting at conferences, Stephanie’s infectious enthusiasm gets others excited about designing sustainably.

What advice would you give to aspiring architects?

Look at and try to understand every building detail you can! You can learn so much just by understanding the way that building elements come together.

Alicia Crothers

Alicia Crothers

Senior Associate

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Alicia  Crothers

The design and craft of making spaces and objects is essential to creating better environments.

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Alicia Crothers

AIA, LEED AP

Senior Associate

Alicia’s breadth of experience and expertise benefits all in the office; she has worked on programming, conceptual design, planning, project management and all phases of design. When not found at her own desk, she’s often at someone else’s, collaborating, mentoring, brainstorming, or swapping stories from her past and she’s got a lot of stories – from experiences working in Haiti at the UNESCO World Heritage Site to sailing across the Atlantic.

What advice would you give to aspiring architects?

Take out your ear-buds and listen to the interaction of others around you. There is a lot you can learn by listening.

Erica Metzger

Erica Metzger

Associate Principal, HR and Operations Manager & Stockholder

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Erica  Metzger

I am proud that the buildings and spaces that we design are invaluably worthwhile, important and improve the lives of people and communities.

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Erica Metzger

Associate Principal, HR and Operations Manager & Stockholder

With patience, grace and diplomacy, Erica not only keeps the office’s operations running smoothly but also creates an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming for employees and visitors alike. With a tenure dating back to school breaks, Erica understands the inner workings of our firm like no one else and has an uncanny ability to anticipate issues before they create problems. From practical matters such as professional registration, HR issues and equipment leasing to morale-boosters like the occasional afternoon ice cream break, Erica deftly manages all aspects of office operations with equanimity. Often the office’s first face for clients and vendors, Erica’s kind smile greets everyone who steps into HMFH’s lobby, reminding us that the success of our architectural practice is built on a foundation of strong management and human kindness.

What are you “known for” around the office?

When people come to me for assistance or advice, they know that I will always do my best to listen and help.

Andrea Yoder

Andrea Yoder

Associate

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Andrea  Yoder

My interest in being an architect came from my interest in traveling.

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Andrea Yoder

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Associate

Andrea finds her inspiration as an architect from her many travels and appreciation of the different forms buildings take around the world. She hopes one day to go to Antarctica, a dream that has grown from an interest in Charles Shackleton and penguins. She practices for this adventure by winter hiking, a hobby she says she likes because she loves snow and the cushion it provides if you fall. But it’s rare that Andrea falls, more often than not she’s leading – whether in a design review in the office, or as co-chair of the Women in Design ABX committee and member of HMFH’s sustainability committee.

What websites do you check regularly?

Blogs about tiny houses, Ask This Old House, Apartment Therapy, Sciencemag.org, anything cooking related

Arthur Duffy

Arthur Duffy

Senior Associate & Stockholder

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Arthur  Duffy

I love to work through the process of early design through construction...then to do it all over again with a new project, each time learning many new things and improving all along.

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Arthur Duffy

AIA

Senior Associate & Stockholder

Arthur is HMFH’s detailing guru, known and valued by colleagues, contractors, and clients for his encyclopedic technical knowledge. Through his role as a philosopher-teacher and mentor of architectonic practice, his principles and best practices have become intertwined with the office’s practice. He plays a key role in developing office-wide standards for construction documents and ensuring that all projects adhere to those standards through careful quality control monitoring. His resourcefulness and attention to detail are evident as he tirelessly tackles tough design challenges and explores alternatives to find solutions that meet clients’ needs, reflect clients’ cultures and maximize value.

Tell us something your co-workers might not know about you:

I take pride in being a high-energy defensive specialist when I play basketball.

Alan Pemstein

Alan Pemstein

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Alan  Pemstein

I enjoy the challenge and excitement of watching design become a reality.

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Alan Pemstein

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Alan is at ease in the many environments an architect’s role demands – from team meetings with consultants in the office, to walking the site with contractors. His voice is often heard through the office while he works out details with others on the team, but it is often punctuated with laughter. He believes that life is challenging enough and that where we live, work and learn should be as inspirational as possible, a goal and mission he works to achieve not only for his own children and grandchildren, but for all. Alan often inspires us with his travel stories – from sailing in the Galapagos to hiking the Amalfi coast.

What are some of your favorite spaces in and around Boston?

Maparium, Christian Science Center, Interior of Boston Symphony Hall, Mount Auburn Cemetery

Stephen Friedlaender

Stephen Friedlaender

(1935 - 2022)

Founding Principal

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Stephen  Friedlaender

Good leadership and good design both take patience, understanding and the willingness to evolve.

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Stephen Friedlaender

FAIA

(1935 - 2022)

Founding Principal

Over a distinguished six-decade career, Stephen Friedlaender, FAIA, founded HMFH and helped build the firm’s reputation for excellence in educational design. Through his early integration of educational planning and space programming, he was able to translate clients’ complex program and space needs into award-winning school designs. He knew that excellence in architecture requires more than simply good design, it requires a robust dialogue between architects, owners, and users. Known for his boundless intellect, Steve engaged clients, consultants, and colleagues in deep discussions not only about design but on any number of topics from baseball to Bach. His love of both music and architecture were never far apart: he served on boards for both the Boston Architectural College and New England Conservatory, and actively participated in charitable and civic realms. His voracious curiosity, high ethical standards, professionalism, and empathy were the foundation for HMFH’s practice.

Gary Brock

Gary Brock

Senior Associate & Sustainability Leader & Stockholder

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Gary  Brock

I believe strongly in designing and building sustainably. I realize it isn’t a perfect world, but we should try when we can to make it so.

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Gary Brock

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Senior Associate & Sustainability Leader & Stockholder

Gary’s passion for learning and teaching is evident in his efforts to make sustainable design accessible for colleagues and clients alike. As one of our Sustainability Leaders, his extensive knowledge of green technologies has made him a favorite for questions about the complex, technical details of building systems. And just as green technology is ever-evolving, Gary is working closely with consultants and project teams to understand and implement the latest innovations to maintain the firm’s leading edge in low-carbon, resilient, and sustainable design. His curiosity is not limited to design—in his free time Gary often enjoys learning about the complexities of the stock market.

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

My kids – how can a drawing of “nostril man” not make you laugh?

Suni Dillard

Suni Dillard

Senior Associate & Sustainability Leader & Stockholder

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Suni  Dillard

When spaces work well, you enjoy them and use them often – good design is about function and joy, not one or the other; both.

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Suni Dillard

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Senior Associate & Sustainability Leader & Stockholder

Suni’s dedication to environmental, social, and economic sustainability transforms our practice and our design approach. She is passionate about helping clients articulate holistic design goals that embrace sustainability and brings them to fruition with her deep technical knowledge and research-driven solutions. As one of HMFH’s Sustainability Leaders who is active in local and national organizations focused on low-carbon, regenerative design solutions to the climate crisis, she is a tireless advocate and pursues her passions—from sustainable design to mountain biking—with enthusiasm.

Why are you an architect?

I love what I do. I love creating places – not just spaces – but places for others.

Justin Viglianti

Justin Viglianti

Associate

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Justin  Viglianti

Design is the difference between unpleasant and enjoyable spaces.

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Justin Viglianti

AIA

Associate

Justin brings his love of the city and urban environments to the forefront of architectural design and master planning. He believes the best projects are able to bring people together in unexpected ways. After spending several years on the other coast where he earned his Master of Urban Design from University of California, Berkeley, Justin returned to Boston. His work focuses on improving the public realm – whether designing and implementing a parklet in Oakland, California, or re-designing a bicycle store and repair shop here in Cambridge, MA. He currently teaches students of architecture about urbanism at the Boston Architectural College and Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Which websites do you check regularly?

Archinect, Fast Company, This American Life, What Revit Wants

Hazel Ryerson

Hazel Ryerson

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Hazel  Ryerson

I believe that good design is Universal Design and creates healthy, welcoming places for all types of people.

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Hazel Ryerson

AIA

From the beginning of her career, Hazel’s design work has focused on improving the physical environment for accessibility, safety, and wellness. Driven by a love for the problem-solving aspect of architecture, her experience has focused on Universal Design in a range of project types. Her passion for improving the places we inhabit is also evident in the focus of her thesis which looked at integrating the design of a riverfront park and aquatics center with passive systems for cleaning and restoring the health of the polluted river. When not in the office, Hazel can often be found hiking in the White Mountains, working on her house, or creating abstract watercolor paintings.

If you weren’t working in architecture, what would you be doing?

I’d run an architectural salvage yard.

Peter Rust

Peter Rust

Associate

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Peter  Rust

Good design can solve, or at least help alleviate, many of the world's problems, including environmental issues, social justice issues, and people's quality of life.

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Peter Rust

AIA, CPHC

Associate

Pete can often be found working away with giant headphones on, which is not necessarily to block out the sound, but because he is a music enthusiast. He grew up in rural Vermont but lived in New York City for 10 years and considers himself at home in both environments. Pete is fascinated by the history of architecture and knocked our socks off with his knowledge in a Boston Society of Architects “What the Sketch” competition, a type of architectural Pictionary. His focus at HMFH is on our higher education projects, but Pete is also well versed in cabinet making and woodworking.

Why are you an architect?

It’s almost always interesting. I’m always challenged and I have learned so much about the world through my job.

Jake Picariello

Jake Picariello

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Jake  Picariello

I believe architecture and design are powerful tools to engage and build communities.

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Jake Picariello

LEED Green Associate

Jake appreciates architecture that engages with the public realm and he believes a well-crafted urban fabric is important to how one experiences a city. His ability to consider the balance of various scales in design allows him to see both the big picture and small details equally, something he particularly enjoys in the design of educational facilities. He describes himself as a classic city-dweller who walks and takes public transit everywhere.

What are some of your favorite spaces in (or around) Boston?

I love the Fenway area, the Emerald Necklace and Fenway Park for their history and all accessible on the T.