Hoffmann Architects


Hoffmann Architects, Inc., d/b/a Hoffmann Architects + Engineers, is a private architecture and engineering firm based in New Haven, Connecticut, United States, with offices in New York City and Alexandria, Virginia. Founded in 1977 by Hungarian-born architect John J. Hoffmann, 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.

History

Hoffmann Architects was established in 1977 by architect John J. Hoffmann and incorporated in Connecticut in 1985. In 1992, the American Institute of Architects elevated John Hoffmann to Fellowship, in recognition of "significant contributions to architecture and to society." From 2004-2006, he served on the AIA Board of Directors as Director for the New England Region. At the conclusion of his term, the AIA awarded Hoffmann the Upjohn Fellowship, named for AIA co-founder Richard Upjohn, which "honors recipients' exemplary contributions in service of the Institute."
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. In July 2013, an eighth manager became part owner of the firm. Three more team members accepted joint ownership in Hoffmann Architects in August 2016, and four more became owners in 2017. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, the number of shareholders grew, with early career professionals now joining senior staff as part of the firm's leadership. 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.
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.
In 2022, the firm moved its headquarters from Hamden, Connecticut, to New Haven, Connecticut, and adopted the d/b/a Hoffmann Architects + Engineers to reflect the firm's practice in both architecture and structural engineering.

Practice

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers is a specialty architecture and engineering practice. Rather than design new buildings, Hoffmann 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.
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. 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 US, although the firm has performed work in 34 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.

Notable projects

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers self-publishes articles on a quarterly basis, covering topics related to building enclosure rehabilitation and professional practice. The eight-page, color publication, the , has been produced by the firm since 1983. Beginning with the first issue of 2011, the JOURNAL has been accredited by the AIA to provide Continuing Education System Learning Units. 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.

Hoffmann Diversity Advancement Scholarship Fund

Beginning in 2021, Hoffmann Architects + Engineers partnered with the to establish the Hoffmann Diversity Advancement Scholarship Fund, which provides tuition scholarships to students from underrepresented minorities studying architecture or engineering. Awardees also have the opportunity for a paid summer internship at one of Hoffmann's three offices. The first scholarship was awarded in 2023, and a second scholarship was awarded in 2024. For this and other initiatives, Hoffmann received several awards for diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the inaugural J.E.D.I. Award from the American Institute of Architects Connecticut chapter in 2021 and the Special Industry Recognition Award from the in 2023.