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." 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Hoffmann Diversity Advancement Scholarship Fund
Beginning in 2021, Hoffmann Architects + Engineers partnered with the Connecticut Architecture Foundation (CAF) 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 Construction Institute in 2023.
↑"Hoffmann Architects, Inc". AIA | DC Directory. The Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
↑"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.
↑"Hoffmann Architects". Company Profiles– via HighBeam Research.{{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |url-access= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑"Rehabilitation". Services. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
↑"Hoffmann Architects enjoys Capitol gains". Real Estate Weekly. Vol.57, no.15. January 26, 2011.
↑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.
↑"Bank of New York Building". Hoffmann Architects listed under "Facts". Emporis. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
↑"Main Building". Folger Shakespeare Library: Buildings and Grounds. Folger Shakespeare Library. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
↑"Scholastic Work Pays Off for Hoffmann Architects". Real Estate Weekly. Vol.54, no.14. December 5, 2007.
12"Golden Trowel Awards". International Masonry Institute Website. International Masonry Institute. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
↑"The Goodwin Hotel". Projects. Hoffmann Architects, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
↑"The 2012 Preservation Award Winners". Massachusetts Historical Commission. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
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.
