Hoffmann Architects

Hoffmann Architects, Inc. is a private architecture and engineering firm based in Hamden, Connecticut, United States, with offices in New York City and Arlington, Virginia. Founded in 1977 by Hungarian-born architect John J. Hoffmann,[1] the firm specializes in the rehabilitation of the building envelope, including facades, roofs, plazas, terraces, and parking structures, as well as historic / landmark building restoration.[2]

Hoffmann Architects, Inc.
Practice information
Key architects	John J. Hoffmann, FAIA, Russell M. Sanders, AIA
Founded	1977
Location	Hamden, Connecticut; New York City, New York; Arlington, Virginia
Website
hoffarch.com

History

Hoffmann Architects was established in 1977 by architect John J. Hoffmann[3] and incorporated in Connecticut in 1985.[4] In 1992, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) elevated John Hoffmann to Fellowship, in recognition of "significant contributions to architecture and to society."[5]

In July 2011, Hoffmann offered ownership stakes in the company to seven senior managers, in preparation for the continuation of the company after his retirement.[3] In July 2013, an eighth manager became part owner of the firm.[6] Three more team members accepted joint ownership in Hoffmann Architects in August 2016,[7] and four more became owners in 2017,[8] bringing the total number of owners to sixteen, including John Hoffmann. In 2018, Avi Kamrat and Russell Sanders were appointed as members of the firm's board of directors by John Hoffmann, the sole existing director.[9]

As part of the firm's leadership transition plan, Russell Sanders assumed the role of president of Hoffmann Architects in July 2019. John Hoffmann, who was president of the company for 42 years, continues to serve on the board of directors as executive chairman.[10]

Practice

Hoffmann Architects is a specialty architecture and engineering practice. Rather than design new buildings, Hoffmann Architects investigates causes of distress and failure in existing structures and develops rehabilitation strategies. The firm's architects and engineers also provide consultation services for new construction, particularly in the areas of waterproofing, design details, structural engineering, and building envelope elements.[11][12]

With an emphasis on construction technology and building science, the practice encompasses facades, including curtain walls, bearing walls, and fenestration; roofs, both low-slope and pitched; plazas and terraces over occupied space; parking structures, especially concrete and structural elements; and historic and landmark structures.[13][14] The firm's client base predominantly derives from the institutional, commercial, and government sectors, including educational institutions, real estate management and investment companies, corporations, religious institutions, health care facilities, hotels, museums, libraries, and foundations. The company also specializes in exterior restoration of the works of major architects.

Most projects are in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the USA, although the firm has performed work in 34 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.[15]

Notable projects

Rehabilitation of the Yale Art and Architecture Building, now renamed Paul Rudolph Hall.

• Ford Foundation Building, New York, building envelope investigations and rehabilitation, 1981–2011.[16][17]
• United Nations Headquarters, New York, building envelope investigations and roof rehabilitations, 1986–2000.[18]
• Chrysler Building, New York, spire and facade restoration, 1989–1997.[19]
• United States Capitol dome, Washington DC, Historic preservation, 1990–2015.[20][21][22]
• New York Stock Exchange, New York, historic facade and roof repair, 1990–2012.[23]
• Marsh Inc. Headquarters, 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, building exterior and plaza rehabilitation, 1990–2011.[24][25][26]
• Travelers Plaza and Tower Square, Hartford CT, plaza rehabilitation, 1991–2011.[27]
• New York City Public Schools, New York City School Construction Authority, New York, building envelope maintenance manual and exterior rehabilitations, 1996–2005.[28][29]
• Goodwin Hotel, Hartford CT, historic facade and roof restoration, 1998–2001.[30]
• MetLife Building, New York, facade restoration, 1998–2004.[31]
• Bank of New York, One Wall Street, New York, exterior condition study and rehabilitation, 1998, 2007–2008.[32][33]
• Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington DC, exterior rehabilitation and water infiltration mitigation, 2002–2011.[34][35]
• Scholastic Inc. Headquarters, New York, exterior restoration, 2003–2012.[36]
• Smithsonian Institution, Arts and Industries Building, Washington DC, roof and facade rehabilitation, 2003–2012.[37]
• Yale University Art + Architecture Building (Paul Rudolph Hall), New Haven CT, exterior restoration and third party review, 2006–2008. With Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects.[38][39]
• Columbia University College Walk, campus thoroughfare rehabilitation, 2006–2009.[40][41]
• Broad Exchange Building, 25 Broad Street, New York, facade investigation and repair, 2006–2011.[42][43]
• MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase NY, facade and entry plaza rehabilitation, 2008–2011.[44]
• Baltimore City Public Parking Facilities, Baltimore MD, garage condition assessments, 2008–2012.[45]
• One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York, plaza, parking garage, and entrance pavilion rehabilitation, 2013.[46]

Awards

• National Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Award (1990)[47][48] for Restoration of Radio City Music Hall, GE Building, and Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center in New York, NY.
• AIA New England Regional Council Design Award (1991)[49][50] for Dome Water Penetration Study of U.S. Capitol Building in Washington DC.
• New York Landmarks Conservancy Lucy G. Moses Award (1997)[51] for Restoration of the Chrysler Building in New York.
• Associated Builders and Contractors Excellence in Construction Award (2003)[52][53] for Stabilization of Jacobson Barn at the University of Connecticut in Storrs CT.
• International Masonry Institute Golden Trowel Award (2002)[54][55] and AIA Connecticut Preservation Award (2005)[56] for Facade Restoration of the Goodwin Hotel in Hartford CT.
• International Concrete Repair Institute Award of Merit (2007)[57] for Facade Restoration of Ross Hall at the George Washington University in Washington DC.
• New York Landmarks Conservancy Lucy G. Moses Award (2007)[58] and AIA Connecticut Design Award Honorable Mention(2007)[59] for Exterior Restoration and Preservation of Scholastic Inc Headquarters in New York.
• International Masonry Institute Golden Trowel Award, Special Recognition (2009)[54] for Facade Rehabilitation of Schering-Plough Headquarters in Summit NJ.[60]
• AIA Connecticut Design Award (2009),[61] AIA New York State Award of Excellence (2009),[62] Connecticut Building Congress Project Team Award (2009),[63][64] International Concrete Repair Institute Award of Excellence (2009),[65][66] New York Construction Magazine Award of Merit (2009),[67] and New Haven Preservation Trust Landmark Plaque (2014)[68][69] for Renovation of Paul Rudolph Hall (formerly the Art + Architecture Building) at Yale University in New Haven CT.[39]
• Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award (2012)[70] for Restoration of the Washburn Shops at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester MA.
• Engineering News-Record Award of Merit (2013)[71] for Restoration of the United States Capitol dome skirt in Washington DC.
• American Institute of Architects Buffalo/Western New York Chapter Design Honor Award (2014)[72] for Addition/Renovation of the Entrance Pavilion at One M+T Plaza in Buffalo NY.
• Engineering News-Record Mid-Atlantic Best Renovation/Restoration Project Award (2015)[73] for The Catholic University of America, Father O'Connell Hall in Washington DC.
• Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation Connecticut Preservation Award of Merit (2017)[74] for Restoration of the New Haven County Courthouse in New Haven CT.
• AIA Virginia Honor Award for Excellence in Preservation (2018)[75] and AIA|DC Design Award for Excellence in Historic Resources & Preservation (2018)[76] for Restoration of the Dome of the United States Capitol in Washington DC.

Cast Iron Facade Restoration Process at Scholastic Inc. Headquarters in New York City

• 
  Scholastic Inc. Headquarters facade before restoration.
• 
  Masonry rehabilitation in process. Cast iron was restored off-site.
• 
  The restored facade received a 2007 New York Landmarks Conservancy Award.

Technical Journal

Hoffmann Architects self-publishes articles on a quarterly basis, covering topics related to building envelope rehabilitation and professional practice. The eight-page, two-color publication, the Journal, has been produced by the firm since 1983.[77][78] Beginning with the first issue of 2011, the Journal has been accredited by the AIA to provide Continuing Education System Learning Units.[79] Recent topics include historic window rehabilitation, roof replacement, preservation of Modernist buildings, professional standard of care, precast concrete parking structures, and stone veneer facade systems.[80]

References

1. "The AIA Historical Directory of American Architects". American Institute of Architects. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
2. "Hoffmann Architects". Services: Architects. Hamden Patch. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
3. Straight, Brian (August 22, 2011). "Founder of firm offers managers buy-in chance". Hartford Business Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
4. "Company Profile: Hoffmann Architects". Manta Media Inc. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
5. "AIA College of Fellows". Practicing Architecture. American Institute of Architects. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
6. "Hoffmann takes on new shareholder". Hartford Business Journal. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
7. "citybizlist : New York : Hoffmann Architects Welcomes New Shareholders". newyork.citybizlist.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
8. "Hoffmann Architects welcomes new shareholders". Building Design + Construction. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
9. "Hoffmann Architects Announces New Board Members". High-Profile. August 2, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
10. "Hoffmann Architects Names Russell M. Sanders President". CityBizList. July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
11. "Hoffmann Architects, Inc". AIA | DC Directory. The Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
12. "Member Firms". AIA Connecticut Directory. The Connecticut Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Archived from the original on December 12, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
13. "Hoffmann Architects". Company Profiles. HighBeam Business. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
14. "Rehabilitation". Services. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
15. "Hoffmann Architects - Projects". Retrieved July 12, 2019.
16. "Facade Status Information: 320 EAST 43 STREET MANHATTAN". Building Information System. New York City Department of Buildings. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
17. "Ford Foundation Building". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
18. "United Nations". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
19. Gray, Christopher (December 17, 1995). "Streetscapes: The Chrysler Building; Skyscraper's Place in the Sun". The New York Times. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
20. Plumb, Tierney (January 21, 2011). "Hoffmann to design U.S. Capitol rehab". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
21. "Hoffmann Architects enjoys Capitol gains". Real Estate Weekly. January 26, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
22. Lau, Wanda (October 28, 2013). "A Plan for Repairing the U.S. Capitol". Architect: The Magazine of the American Institute of Architects. Hanley Wood. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
23. "New York Stock Exchange". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
24. "Facade Status Information: 1166 6 AVENUE MANHATTAN". Building Information System. New York City Department of Buildings. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
25. "International Style, Part III: The 1166 Sixth Avenue". New York Skyscrapers: One Hundred Years of High-Rises. E. T. Dankwa. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
26. "Marsh Inc. Headquarters, 1166 Ave of the Americas". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
27. "Hoffmann Architects to Renovate Travelers Plaza". High-Profile Monthly. February 2010. p. 14. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
28. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. (April 25, 1997). "Exterior Building Maintenance Manual: New York City School Buildings" (PDF). New York City Department of Education, Division of School Facilities. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 24, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
29. "New York City Public Schools". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
30. "Connecticut's Best Architecture". Connecticut Business News Journal. December 26, 2005. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
31. "MetLife Building". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
32. "Facade Status Information: 1 WALL STREET". Building Information System. New York City Department of Buildings. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
33. "Bank of New York Building". Hoffmann Architects listed under "Facts". Emporis. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
34. "Folger Shakespeare Library". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
35. "Main Building". Folger Shakespeare Library: Buildings and Grounds. Folger Shakespeare Library. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
36. "Scholastic Work Pays Off for Hoffmann Architects". Real Estate Weekly. December 5, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
37. "Smithsonian Institution Arts & Industries". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
38. Henry, Christopher (April 1, 2011). "Yale Art + Architecture Building / Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects". arch daily. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
39. Sanders, Russell; Shepherd, Benjamin; Skowronek, Elizabeth; Hoffmann, Alison (August 2011). "Sustainable Restoration of Yale University's Art + Architecture Building" (PDF). APT Bulletin. 42 (2–3): 29–35. JSTOR 41228981.
40. "College Walk Restoration Highlights Beauty of Central Campus". Columbia University Facilities News. September 5, 2007. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
41. "Ecological Plaza Design". High-Profile Monthly. February 2010. p. 29. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
42. "Facade Status Information: 25 BROAD STREET MANHATTAN". Building Information System. New York City Department of Buildings. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
43. "The Exchange, 25 Broad Street, New York, NY". Projects. Skyline Restoration Inc. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
44. "MasterCard Headquarters". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
45. "Hoffmann Awarded Garages Contract". Real Estate Weekly. August 6, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
46. "M&T Plaza Vestibule Honored by Local Architectural Panel". M&T Bank Newsroom. M&T Bank. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
47. "The Richard H. Driehaus National Preservation Awards: Celebrating the Best of Preservation". National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
48. "Rockefeller Center Complex". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
49. "Design Awards". The American Institute of Architects: New England. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
50. "United States Capitol". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
51. "Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards for 1991 – 2001". New York Landmarks Conservancy. Archived from the original on January 5, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
52. "Excellence in Construction Awards". Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
53. "University of Connecticut Jacobson Barn". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
54. "Golden Trowel Awards". International Masonry Institute Website. International Masonry Institute. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
55. "The Goodwin Hotel". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
56. "AIA Connecticut Design Awards – 2005" (PDF). The Connecticut Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 3, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
57. "The George Washington University Ross Hall Facade Restoration". ICRI 2007 Project Award Winners. International Concrete Repair Institute. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
58. "Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards for 2007". New York Landmarks Conservancy. Archived from the original on January 5, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
59. "AIA Connecticut 2007 Design Awards" (PDF). The Connecticut Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 3, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
60. "Schering-Plough Headquarters". Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
61. "AIA Connecticut 2009 Design Awards" (PDF). The Connecticut Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 1, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
62. "2009 AIA New York State Design Awards". The New York State Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
63. "CBC 2009 Project Team Awards" (PDF). Connecticut Building Congress. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
64. "Yale University Project Earns CT Building Congress Award". Real Estate Weekly. July 29, 2009. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
65. "Concrete Restoration of Yale University's Paul Rudolph Hall". ICRI 2009 Project Award Winners. International Concrete Repair Institute. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
66. "Concrete Restoration of Yale University's Paul Rudolph Hall" (PDF). Concrete Repair Bulletin. November–December 2009. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
67. "Renovation of Paul Rudolph Hall, Yale University-New Haven, Conn". Engineering News Record New York. December 2009. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
68. "2014 New Haven Preservation Trust Awards Announced". New Haven Preservation Trust. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
69. "Yale's Rudolph Hall receives Preservation Trust's highest honor". Yale News. Yale University. May 6, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
70. "The 2012 Preservation Award Winners". Massachusetts Historical Commission. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
71. "Renovation/Restoration: Award of Merit". Engineering News-Record. McGraw Hill Construction. December 16, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
72. "2014 Architecture Design Awards Book" (PDF). American Institute of Architects Buffalo/WNY Chapter. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
73. "Best Renovation/Restoration Project: Catholic University of America, Father O'Connell Hall". ENR Mid-Atlantic. 2015.
74. "2017 Connecticut Preservation Awards Recipients Announced". Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. March 24, 2017. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
75. "AIA Virginia Design Awards 2018". YouTube. November 21, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
76. "2018 Chapter Design Awards Winners | AIA|DC". www.aiadc.com. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
77. "Required Reading for Building Professionals". Hoffmann Architects. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
78. Bailey, Margaret (September 28, 2008). "Architects Awarded Grand Prize". Hartford Courant. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
79. "Continuing Education System (CES)". American Institute of Architects. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
80. "Journal Archive". Hoffmann Architects Journal. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 21, 2012.

External links

• Official website
• Hoffmann Architects Journal