Meet Derek Noble, AIA, LEED AP
Derek is a principal and the new VP of Marketing + BD at Shepley Bulfinch whose journey into architecture was sparked by a love for art and design from a young age. Derek’s passion for the profession and connecting people and ideas is evident in his work. Derek values collaboration, creativity, and hopes to help in seamlessly integrating marketing and architecture.
Read more about Derek’s inspiring journey, his role in establishing Shepley’s Hartford office, and how he continues to drive remarkable projects and mentor talented colleagues.
Can you tell us the “backstory” of what brought you to this career path?
From a young age, I was constantly drawing and doodling on everything I could find. My mother was a doodler too, and I guess you could say it ran in the family. In 8th grade, I took an architecture course and decided that was my path, not even knowing what it took to become an architect or the full scope of the role, but I was captivated by the creative aspect of it.
I was always curious, asking questions and experimenting with designs and structures with Legos and building blocks. A memorable moment was in high school when my older cousin, who attended Boston Fashion Institute, showed me a dress she made from woven black and white trash bags. This sparked an interest in what could happen when you look at the world in unconventional ways.
During high school, I worked at my parents’ print shop, where I was immersed in graphics, publishing, and design. This experience provided a foundational framework for understanding how to transform ideas into visible creations, paralleling the process in architecture. My love for art and design evolved into a fascination with how things were crafted and put together. In college, I became deeply interested in aesthetics and materials, and how they could be combined to create something both beautiful and functional. The creativity and constructability of architecture drew me in, and I loved the idea of being able to bring my artistic visions to life in a tangible way.
What brought you to Shepley?
I’m what we fondly call a boomerang at Shepley. I joined early in my career, following people I admired. After five years, I left but had the privilege of finding my way back.
A friend and fellow RPI alum recommended me for my first job in architecture. It was with a sole practitioner who worked as a CAD consultant for John Hancock. During winter break, I field verified existing ceiling conditions of all 60 floors in the John Hancock Tower, now known as 200 Clarendon.
After graduation in 1993, that same friend (thank you David!) reached out, mentioning his firm was looking for someone with CAD experience. I joined the firm for and worked there for three years before following my mentor to another firm, where I worked for several years.
In 1999, I was referred to Shepley by a previous colleague (network, network, network!). I joined the firm and immediately felt at home, primarily working on higher education projects like libraries, dorms, and campus centers, while also dabbling in healthcare projects.
In 2004, I moved from Boston to western Massachusetts, trading in urban life for the happy valley providing my young kids a change of environment. This decision made the 2-hour commute to the Shepley Boston studio infeasible before remote work and I left the firm. For three years, I worked locally in Amherst and then spent a dozen years at a Connecticut-based firm until I received a call from Shepley’s former CEO, Carole Wedge. Carole invited me for a drink to catch up and proposed an opportunity: Shepley was looking to expand their principal base and wanted to see if I was interested… I was!
The firm had expanded, opening studios in Phoenix and Houston, and had become adept at cross-office collaboration. After discussions with Shepley leadership, I helped establish a Hartford-based office in 2019 to better support the firm’s growing work in Connecticut, especially with Yale New Haven Health. As studio Principal, I have since worked on remarkable projects and collaborated with talented colleagues.
How did your role evolve to become Principal, Vice President of Marketing + Business Development?
My journey to becoming the VP of Marketing + BD at Shepley is rooted in my passion for connecting our core practices and supporting my colleagues
When the firm sought someone to guide the marketing team, I felt I was a perfect fit. My previous roles as Design Director and Director of Marketing at another firm provided me with a deep understanding of the expectations of the role. My deep understanding of both marketing and the practice of architecture made me the ideal candidate.
Rejoining Shepley as a principal allowed me to work closely with the Marketing team, developing strong relationships and advocating for the department within the principal group. My background in graphic design and digital production naturally positioned me as a liaison for the marketing department, offering a principal’s perspective and understanding to the job-getting process.
Although I’ve only held the title of VP of Marketing + BD for three months, I am excited to develop my voice in working with our principal group, leadership, and the firm at large. I am focused on supporting the marketing team and department projects, while continuing to practice on projects in a principal capacity in the future.
What is your favorite part about working at Shepley?
My favorite part about working at Shepley is undoubtedly the people. I vividly remember my first few days when I returned to the firm in 2019, meeting everyone and thinking, “Wow, that person’s really smart, and that person’s really smart.” I was in awe of the caliber of people at Shepley and the passion they bring to their work and how comfortable I was coming back to the firm. It’s incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by such talented, welcoming, and dedicated individuals.
Emily Hooper
Senior Brand + Communications Manager
Emily leads brand and communications strategies across six physical and virtual studios.