Hoffmann Architects

Hoffmann Architects, Inc.
Practice information
Key architects	John J. Hoffmann, FAIA
Location	New York City, New York; Arlington, Virginia
Founded	1977
Website	www.hoffarch.com

Hoffmann Architects, Inc. is a private architecture and engineering firm based in Hamden, Connecticut, USA, with offices in New York City and Arlington, 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 (AIA) elevated John Hoffmann to Fellowship, in recognition of "significant contributions to architecture and to society."

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.

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.

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 USA, although the firm has performed work in 34 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, Canada, and South Korea.

Notable projects

File:Yale Art + Architecture Building, New Haven CT, Window Replacement 2007.jpg

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.
• United Nations Headquarters, New York, building envelope investigations and roof rehabilitations, 1986-2000.
• Chrysler Building, New York, spire and facade restoration, 1989-1997.
• United States Capitol dome, Washington DC, Historic preservation, 1990-2015.
• New York Stock Exchange, New York, historic facade and roof repair, 1990-2012.
• Marsh Inc. Headquarters, 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, building exterior and plaza rehabilitation, 1990-2011.
• Travelers Plaza and Tower Square, Hartford CT, plaza rehabilitation, 1991-2011.
• New York City Public Schools, New York City School Construction Authority, New York, building envelope maintenance manual and exterior rehabilitations, 1996-2005.
• Goodwin Hotel, Hartford CT, historic facade and roof restoration, 1998-2001.
• MetLife Building, New York, facade restoration, 1998-2004.
• Bank of New York, One Wall Street, New York, exterior condition study and rehabilitation, 1998, 2007-2008.
• Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington DC, exterior rehabilitation and water infiltration mitigation, 2002-2011.
• Scholastic Inc. Headquarters, New York, exterior restoration, 2003-2012.
• Smithsonian Institution, Arts and Industries Building, Washington DC, roof and facade rehabilitation, 2003-2012.
• Yale University Art + Architecture Building (Paul Rudolph Hall), New Haven CT, exterior restoration and third party review, 2006-2008. With Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects.
• Columbia University College Walk, campus thoroughfare rehabilitation, 2006-2009.
• Broad Exchange Building, 25 Broad Street, New York, facade investigation and repair, 2006-2011.
• MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase NY, facade and entry plaza rehabilitation, 2008-2011.
• Baltimore City Public Parking Facilities, Baltimore MD, garage condition assessments, 2008-2012.
• One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York, plaza, parking garage, and entrance pavilion rehabilitation, 2013.

Awards

• National Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Award (1990) 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) for Dome Water Penetration Study of U.S. Capitol Building in Washington DC.
• New York Landmarks Conservancy Lucy G. Moses Award (1997) for Restoration of the Chrysler Building in New York.
• Associated Builders and Contractors Excellence in Construction Award (2003) for Stabilization of Jacobson Barn at the University of Connecticut in Storrs CT.
• International Masonry Institute Golden Trowel Award (2002) and AIA Connecticut Preservation Award (2005) for Facade Restoration of the Goodwin Hotel in Hartford CT.
• International Concrete Repair Institute Award of Merit (2007) for Facade Restoration of Ross Hall at the George Washington University in Washington DC.
• New York Landmarks Conservancy Lucy G. Moses Award (2007) and AIA Connecticut Design Award Honorable Mention(2007) for Exterior Restoration and Preservation of Scholastic Inc Headquarters in New York.
• International Masonry Institute Golden Trowel Award, Special Recognition (2009) for Facade Rehabilitation of Schering-Plough Headquarters in Summit NJ.
• AIA Connecticut Design Award (2009), AIA New York State Award of Excellence (2009), Connecticut Building Congress Project Team Award (2009), International Concrete Repair Institute Award of Excellence (2009), New York Construction Magazine Award of Merit (2009), and New Haven Preservation Trust Landmark Plaque (2014) for Renovation of Paul Rudolph Hall (formerly the Art + Architecture Building) at Yale University in New Haven CT.
• Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award (2012) for Restoration of the Washburn Shops at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester MA.
• Engineering News-Record Award of Merit (2013) 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) for Addition/Renovation of the Entrance Pavilion at One M+T Plaza in Buffalo NY.

Cast Iron Facade Restoration Process at Scholastic Inc. Headquarters in New York, New York
Scholastic Inc. Headquarters facade before restoration. Scholastic Inc. Headquarters facade before restoration.  Masonry rehabilitation in process. Cast iron was restored off-site. Masonry rehabilitation in process. Cast iron was restored off-site.  The restored facade received a 2007 New York Landmarks Conservancy Award. 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. 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.

External links

• Official website
• Hoffmann Architects Journal