Studio Hillier

08/26/2026

A big thank you to our wonderful summer interns, Bodong Zhang and Neelanjali Chauhan, for all of their hard work, creativity, and enthusiasm this summer! We’ve truly enjoyed having you as part of the Studio Hillier team and appreciate all that you contributed.

They wrapped up their summer internship by actively contributing to several projects, helping us put together our Canstruction design, enjoying a personal tour of Lake Drive Residence with Bob, and touring the new Princeton University Art Museum with Hillier alum Dan Bolohan.

Wishing you both all the best as you head back to school for a great new year! Keep learning, keep creating, and keep designing. We can’t wait to see where your talents take you!

07/22/2026

What does it take for architects to create value beyond design?

Our Principal, Christopher Farnum, AIA, LEED AP, joins Joshua Zinder AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, on Episode 5 of the AIA's BUILT FOR BUSINESS podcast with Rachel R Gresham, AIA, MBA, WELL AP, CDT and Ali Alsaleh, "Generating Wealth through Development and Investment," to explore how architects can expand their role through development, investment, and entrepreneurship while strengthening both their practice and the communities they serve.

Tune in to hear the conversation in the links below or whatever platform you use to listen to your podcasts:

AIA - https://share.transistor.fm/s/b02e617b
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Txty6YA4Zu9xOlo3uGnkA?si=bf5914b8ea594878
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/generating-wealth-through-development-and-investment/id1896885717?i=1000777711948

06/15/2026

This past weekend, Studio Hillier was proud to participate in the first annual Send HUnger Packing Princeton (SHUPP) Canstruction event, where local organizations and architecture firms came together to create imaginative structures built entirely from canned goods—all of which will now be donated to support free outdoor pantries throughout the community.

Our team designed and constructed 'StaTUNA of Liberty', using approximately 1,400 tuna cans to reimagine one of the world's most recognizable symbols of hope and freedom. Inspired by the Statue of Liberty, the structure celebrates both ingenuity and community impact while highlighting the fight against hunger. Its playful name pays tribute to the canned food that forms its structure and serves as a reminder that every can donated can help provide nourishment and opportunity to those in need.

By transforming everyday food items into an iconic landmark, 'StaTUNA of Liberty' symbolizes the power of collective action—showing how small contributions can come together to create something truly monumental.

We were honored that the jury selected 'StaTUNA of Liberty' for Best Concept and thrilled to receive First Place in the People's Choice Award. Most importantly, we're grateful to have supported such a meaningful cause and to help provide 1,400 cans of food to our community.

Thank you to SHUPP and everyone involved in making this inaugural event a success!

06/12/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Jessica Johnson!

Jessica holds a BFA from Kutztown University, an MA in Graphic Communications Management from NYU, and a certificate in Intellectual Property Law from NYU.

For 22 years, Jessica worked at the NHL in media strategy, photography, and licensing, bringing a visual artist's eye, business acumen, and a deep understanding of how creative work is used, monetized, and protected. She helped build the NHL Team Photo Program from the ground up and managed the League's exclusive Getty Images partnership, overseeing capture, quality control, archiving, and monetization of the game's visual history. She also negotiated international broadcast rights deals, combining creative vision and commercial expertise.

Throughout her career and in her community, Jessica has been a passionate advocate for the causes she believes in. At the NHL, she served as Co-Chair of NHL G.O.A.L., an employee resource group focused on growth, learning, and professional development, and the NHL Mental Health and Wellness ERG. She also served on the founding leadership team of the NHL Women’s ERG, helping launch its mentorship program.

That same spirit of stewardship extends to her community. Jessica served five years on the Franklin Township Environmental Commission, recognized with the 2025 Franklin Township Environmental Stewardship Award. She and her husband Rik also own Franklin Township's largest organic farm, guided by a commitment to sustainability, responsible agriculture, and supporting beginning farmers.

As an actively competing equestrian in the Hunter discipline and a year-end award recipient through PEL, NJHSA, NJPHA, and USHJA, Jessica brings the same consistency and dedication to the ring that she brings to everything she does. A black belt in Taekwondo, she enjoys teaching young students the art and discipline of the sport and helping them build confidence. At home, she shares her life with her husband Rik, her horses, Handsome Harold and Lady J, her dog Daisy, two cats, and many chickens.

06/09/2026

We're excited to welcome our Summer Interns, Neelanjali Chauhan and Bob Zhang, to the Studio Hillier team!

Throughout the summer, they'll be working alongside our staff, gaining hands-on experience, contributing to active projects, and learning more about the profession. We're looking forward to sharing this part of their professional journey and seeing the fresh perspectives they bring to the studio.

Read their bios below. 👇

Neelanjali Chauhan is a Master of Architecture candidate at NJIT with 10 years of professional experience in interior design. Originally from India, she worked on a range of award-winning retail, hospitality, airport, and residential projects before returning to academia to pursue graduate studies in architecture.

Throughout her professional career, Neelanjali held design leadership roles and contributed to projects from concept development through ex*****on, working closely with multidisciplinary teams and clients. Her experience spans projects of varying scales and typologies, providing her with a strong foundation in both design thinking and project delivery.

At NJIT, she is expanding her architectural education through research and design exploration, with a particular interest in sustainability, community-focused design, and the relationship between people and the built environment.
Bodong (Bob) Zhang is a rising senior in the School of Architecture at Princeton University, pursuing a major in Architecture with a minor in Finance. This past semester, he completed his Junior Research Paper, “Feedback Loops in Architecture: The Changing Authority and Nationalist Representation of Chinese Architecture,” where he explored the evolution of architectural identity in China and its ties to nationalism. For his Senior Thesis, he plans to build on this work by examining the future of Chinese architectural identity, particularly through the lens of mass timber construction.

Last summer, Bob worked at Gensler in their Baltimore office as an architectural intern and worked remotely in the spring with Union Park Capital, a Boston-based private equity firm focused on the industrial sector. He also spent three summers working in an instructional woodshop, which strengthened his hands-on design skills.

He is excited to be joining Studio Hillier this summer and looks forward to learning from the team.

06/04/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Grace Davidson!

Grace graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with Highest Distinction in General Scholarship, earning dual degrees in English and History. During her time at Berkeley, she served as a Business Strategy Consultant for Business Careers in Entertainment, developing strategies to engage and retain Gen-Z audiences for video game initiatives with clients including Tencent, HP, and Microsoft. Her work spanned user research, product marketing, UI/UX analysis, cinematic positioning, and team mentorship.

Grace also worked as a Writing Tutor and Fellow in Berkeley’s Art of Writing program, supporting undergraduate students in Reading and Composition courses. As a Writing Fellow, she served as a subject-matter expert for Literature in English: The Late-17th through the Mid-19th Century and led workshops focused on academic writing and research.

Beyond the classroom, Grace served as a Director for Berkeley’s DeCal (Democratic Education at Cal) program, helping manage and support the university’s student-run courses. In recognition of her academic achievements, she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society for excellence in the liberal arts and sciences.

Closer to home, Grace spent three summers with NJ Rise, a Mercer County nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved communities. As an Office Assistant and Grant Writing Intern, she helped secure funding and create promotional materials for initiatives including the Rise Choice Pantry, Latino Festival, English Language Learners program, and youth summer camp.

As Studio Hillier’s Office Coordinator, Grace brings a strong foundation in strategy, communication, and organizational leadership. She is excited to support the firm’s operations and contribute to the continued success of the studio.

06/03/2026

Studio Hillier is proud to announce that Managing Principal Christopher Farnum, AIA, LEED AP, will be speaking at AIA26 San Diego next week.

Chris will join Joshua Zinder AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, for the session "Architect, Also Developer: Achieving Stability, Growth, and Better Project Outcomes," exploring how architects can expand their impact through development, strengthen project outcomes, and create new opportunities for practice growth.

06/02/2026

06/01/2026

On Saturday, Studio Hillier and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. participated in this year's NAMIWalks by NAMI Mercer at the Trenton Thunder Ballpark. Studio Hillier is proud to sponsor and walk in support of mental health! Every step brings us closer to ending stigma and building a community of support.

05/21/2026

Meet our Associate, Caryn Farnum.

Caryn joined Studio Hillier in 2019 after working for ten years in New York City at award-winning practices, including Bernheimer Architecture and Guy Nordenson and Associates. She also co-founded Farnum and Lee Studio with her husband, Christopher Farnum. Their interior renovation of Webster Hall, the landmark East Village concert venue, was recognized as an NYCxDESIGN Award honoree in the “Shining Moment” category, which celebrates projects that capture the essence of New York City. The project also received the AIA|DC Historic Resources & Preservation Award.

As an Associate at Studio Hillier, Caryn has brought a refined design sensibility to educational, residential, retail, and sports and recreation projects, with particular leadership in interior architecture. Her notable work includes Lake Drive Residence in Princeton, the Zhao and Li Family Fitness and Exercise Center at The Peddie School, Newark School of Architecture and Interior Design, the Princeton National Rowing Center Addition, Veiled Collective, and Queen City Coffee Roasters.

Caryn received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Duke University, where she developed a lasting appreciation for architecture through Duke’s campus, a semester in Rome, and travels across Europe. Building on her early drafting classes at Princeton High School, she went on to combine her interest in human behavior with an awareness of architecture’s ability to shape experience, earning a Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis. While in graduate school, she also spent semesters studying at Helsinki University of Technology in Helsinki, Finland, and the Sociedad Central de Arquitectos in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

With the perspective of the inhabitant always at the forefront of her work, Caryn brings a discerning eye to each project, drawing from both historical and contemporary influences.

Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our team.