Hoffmann Architects

For over a quarter century, Hoffmann Architects' JOURNAL has served as a forum for discussing common problems and new developments. In each issue, our professionals tackle concerns specific to existing structures and occupied spaces in clear, straightforward terms. The latest issue, Design Guide for Parapets: Safety, Continuity, and the Building Code, takes a closer look at the integration of the diverse materials and assemblies in parapet walls, including critical roof and wall transitions, movement accommodation, structural considerations, moisture management, and code requirements for continuous insulation, vapor barriers, wind uplift, and more.

Time and weather are cruel to buildings. Add construction errors, inappropriate materials, and poor detailing, and it's a wonder any structure remains standing at all. Since 1977, Hoffmann Architects has built a reputation on reversing the effects of natural and manmade stress on building exteriors with practical solutions. Because we focus on existing structures, we are sensitive to concerns of building occupants and to the logistical demands of busy settings. Our clients rely on us to solve building envelope problems unobtrusively and to complete projects on time and within budget.

We've been creating innovative, lasting solutions to building distress for over three decades. How? By taking the long view. We look at building systems holistically. Then, we narrow in on details. Intersections, terminations, penetrations, and other trouble spots have top priority. The result: rehabilitation that minimizes resource consumption and maximizes longevity. No matter how "green" the original design, a new building makes a new impact on the environment. So, too, does each new repair project.

With benefits packages comparable to, or exceeding, those at companies many times our size, a diverse and noteworthy project list fit for a much larger practice, and opportunities for career advancement beyond those at most large design houses, including publication, in our own JOURNAL and elsewhere, and participation in professional organizations, we think big. Whether your ultimate career objective is to solve problems in built structures, promote sustainability, develop new business opportunities, or design for new construction, Hoffmann Architects will give you the experience to meet your goals.

Why has "a roof over your head" become synonymous with comfort and shelter? Given the number of typical roofing problems, the expression should more accurately connote dripping ceilings and headaches. Old age. Whatever the cause, roof leaks can quickly lead to interior and structural damage. How do you know where to find the leak, how to fix it, or whether it's time for a new roof? We're also versed in the considerations of living roofs, cool roofs, and other emerging technologies.

Hoffmann Architects' restorations of major architectural icons go beyond resolving the leaks and cracks that plague all buildings over time. Our surveys and remedial designs have won recognition, from historical stewards like the New York Landmarks Conservancy and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for their innovative solutions to technical problems and for their respect for aesthetic integrity. Over 40 years of restoring the outsides of buildings has lent Hoffmann Architects diverse yet specialized experience.

All too often, attempts to treat symptoms of waterproofing failure only make things worse. Moisture trapped by haphazardly applied sealers or poorly designed drains can cause hidden deterioration. Left unchecked, it can even lead to hazardous conditions, from structural damage to mold. That's where we come in. From detailing roof intersections to rehabilitating plazas over occupied space, virtually everything we do is about keeping buildings dry. For over 40 years, building owners and design professionals have chosen Hoffmann Architects to prevent and resolve leaks, both for new construction and for the rehabilitation of existing buildings.

Because we focus on the building exterior, we have specialized expertise in a wide range of materials, construction methods, and building types, from the subtleties of historic brick restoration to the challenges of selecting a parking structure surface treatment. We evaluate energy efficiency, structural integrity, and the condition of existing materials. Our projects range from reroofing design to rehabilitation of a group of twenty buildings. When Hoffmann Architects designs a solution, we consider how one building component affects another.