HMFH Architects, Inc.

08/21/2026

The HMFH team recently hit the road for our annual bus tour, a long-standing tradition that brings colleagues together to learn from one another and see our school designs come to life.

This year, we visited the community-focused Middletown Middle High School in Rhode Island and Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School in Taunton, MA, which features state-of-the-art shops, labs, and specialized learning environments for 22 CTE programs. Along the way, HMFHers involved in each project shared their experiences through design and construction, providing firsthand perspectives on the process, challenges, and opportunities behind each school.

Take a look inside both projects and read more about this year’s bus tour: https://www.hmfh.com/hmfh-bus-tour-2026/

08/18/2026

As summer winds down, we’re reflecting on another successful year of our high school internship program, where we welcomed three Boston-area students in partnership with the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) and the Boston Private Industry Council.

Over six weeks, our interns explored the many facets of architecture through workshops, site visits, design exercises, and hands-on projects, from sketching and physical modeling to developing valuable presentation skills. They worked alongside HMFHers across project teams and departments, gaining a firsthand look at the day-to-day experience of working in an architecture firm.

Mentorship is central to HMFH’s culture, and this program is a great reminder that it’s a two-way street. While we aim to provide our interns with new skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the profession, we’re continually inspired by their curiosity, creativity, and fresh perspectives.

Thank you to our interns for bringing their ideas and enthusiasm to HMFH this summer, and to the Boston Society of Architects and Pic Boston for facilitating these valuable opportunities for the next generation of designers.

07/30/2026

The Bristol-Plymouth school community celebrated the completion of their transformative new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony! ✂️🎉

On July 22nd, students, alumni, project partners, and state and local leaders gathered for celebratory speeches, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, and a first look at the school’s new shops, labs, and public-facing spaces designed to benefit both students and the wider community.

The new campus will serve 1,434 students across 22 CTE programs, expanding career-based learning opportunities in the region with specialized facilities, flexible spaces for interdisciplinary collaboration, and access to the latest industry equipment.

Learn more about this exciting milestone and what the new facility means for the Bristol-Plymouth community:

A ribbon cutting for the new Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School brought together students, alumni, project partners, and state and local leaders to celebrate this transformative project.

07/15/2026

We are thrilled to announce Jaime McGavin as HMFH Architects’ newest sustainability leader!

Jaime brings a wealth of expertise and passion for sustainable design, helping us further our mission to create healthy, energy-efficient, and resilient learning environments. She manages the collection, analysis, and reporting of project data through the AIA 2030 Commitment Design Data Exchange (DDx), measuring building performance and tracking our progress toward a carbon-neutral future.

From neighborhood elementary schools to 400,000+ sf career technical high schools, Jaime’s deep knowledge of the LEED certification process, healthy materials research, and sustainability reporting helps project teams achieve ambitious performance goals while creating healthy learning environments that support student well-being. Her leadership strengthens HMFH’s commitment to designing schools that benefit students, communities, and the environment.

06/16/2026

We are pleased to share that Dan’s Place at 116 Norfolk Street in Cambridge, MA, received a preservation award from the Cambridge Historical Commission! This recognition underscores how historic preservation can contribute to both community stability and housing equity and reflects our ongoing commitment to affordable housing and preservation efforts.

Originally constructed in 1907 as a convent for the neighboring St. Mary’s Church, 116 Norfolk Street was acquired by Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) in 1975 and transformed into 38 Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units. In partnership with CHA, HMFH completed a comprehensive expansion and renovation of the property in 2025 to address Cambridge’s critical need for affordable housing.

Through thoughtful design, strategic siting of the new addition, and meaningful community engagement, we preserved the historic character of the original structure while seamlessly integrating a 25,000 sf addition that respects the surrounding neighborhood context. The outcome is a welcoming, energy-efficient environment where residents enjoy comfortable studio apartments, a variety of shared gathering spaces, and on-site support services.

06/11/2026

Opening at the start of the 2026-2027 school year, the new Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School will offer state-of-the-art career technical facilities for students and the greater community.

Public-facing programs such as Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, and Early Childhood Education are showcased along the southern facade, welcoming visitors with an inviting entrance plaza. Distinctive branding encourages community engagement with these services, including a student-run restaurant and salon, where members of the public enjoy discounted offerings while students gain valuable, hands-on experience.

05/20/2026

May is , a time to share the impact of affordable housing in building healthy, thriving, and connected communities. While this initiative began with the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, the need for affordable housing extends well beyond the Bay Area. HMFH is proud to partner with Cambridge Housing Authority on local affordable housing projects to help address this need, most recently in designing the Daniel J. Wuenschel Apartments.

The addition and renovation of Dan’s Place adds 60 affordable units in a permanent supportive housing (PSH) model. In addition to light-filled studio apartments, welcoming shared spaces, and plentiful outdoor gathering areas, residents have access to on-site support services that help build independent living and tenancy skills and connect them with community-based health care, treatment, and employment services.

04/21/2026

HMFH's project earned the grand prize in Learning by Design’s Spring 2026 Educational Facilities Design Awards, a national recognition for K-12 and post-secondary learning environments that set new standards for educational architecture!

The jury celebrated Arlington High School for its innovative educational design, community impact, and sustainability. The new LEED Platinum-certified facility provides Arlington students and residents alike with bright, welcoming spaces for learning and gathering.

“This stunning project exemplifies forward-thinking high school design, blending interdisciplinary, light-filled learning spaces with strong sustainability strategies. Thoughtful detailing, elegant light wells, and a vibrant central spine with outdoor learning areas create a connected, inspiring campus that skillfully addresses complex phasing and site constraints."
Jury Comments

04/09/2026

Three members of HMFH's Racial Equity & Diversity Committee celebrated the 20 year anniversary of Boston’s National Organization of Minority Architects chapter (BosNOMA) at the opening of their Stops Along the Journey exhibit, which traces the chapter’s legacy through a metaphor of the MBTA transit system. HMFH is proud to sponsor BosNOMA and support its mission of fostering equitable practice and minority leadership within the architectural profession. Congratulations to all involved in creating such a meaningful and inspiring experience!

04/01/2026

is on the rise 🏗️ and recently reached an exciting construction milestone!

Project team members, stakeholders, and community members gathered on a brisk spring morning to witness the raising of the final beam, a symbolic moment marking the successful "topping off" of this 212,000 sf facility’s steel structure. Set to open for the 2027-2028 school year, Middletown Middle High School will become one of Rhode Island’s first combined grade 6-12 public schools, setting a strong precedent for future school projects with its efficient use of space and shared resources across grade levels.

Learn more about HMFH’s work in Middletown: https://www.hmfh.com/project/middletown-middle-high-school/

Did you know? The topping off ceremony is believed to originate from a Scandinavian tradition in which a tree was placed atop the final beam to honor tree-dwelling spirits displaced during construction.

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