A 150-Year History of the Architectural Workplace
When H.H. Richardson established his practice in Boston, he set up shop in an outbuilding on the property of his Brookline home, nicknamed the “Coops.” Named for their resemblance to a hen house, our very first design studio had no electricity — no lighting or air conditioning. Natural light came from a bank of exterior windows and a row of skylights.
In 1892, the successor firm of H.H. Richardson designed and then moved to the Ames Building where it would spend a century. Known as Boston’s first skyscraper when it was designed and built in 1891, the Ames featured the latest in building technologies-electric lighting, plumbing, and an elevator. It was air conditioned in the 1970’s.
Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbot in 1982 on the steps of the Ames Building. Photo © Shepley Bulfinch.
The Shepley Bulfinch offices at 40 Broad Street in Boston. Photos © Shepley Bulfinch.
2 Seaport
Our next Boston studio was located at 2 Seaport Lane, the city’s first office tower to rise in the neighborhood in the 1990s. At the time of construction, 2 Seaport Lane was one of the only buildings in the now vibrant neighborhood. Our design leveraged views of the unobstructed waterfront, and the open floor plan was supplemented by conference rooms, meeting rooms, a mail and print room, and a wood shop for model making.
Going West
When we expanded west in 2009, we established a studio in the Phoenix Financial Center, aka the Punch Card building, a mid-century modern office building designed by W.A. Sarmiento. Our renovation carefully preserved iconic details like the parabolic arches and surfboard stair of the rotunda.
Going National
We’ve since established studios in Houston (2017), Hartford, Connecticut (2019), and Durham, North Carolina (2019). We have found inspirational locations in these cities that support connections around projects, teams, and our local communities.
Gone Virtual
In the wake of the COVID-19 global health crisis, we have committed to a hybrid-first model and invested in the infrastructure of a virtual studio. Our design professionals—aka Bulfinches—are free to work from any location they wish.
Derek Noble, AIA, NOMA
Principal, Architect
Derek is a Principal working on higher education and healthcare projects, based out of our Hartford studio.