Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS is committed to leadership development and the professional advancement of each individual on our close-knit team. From entry level through senior and associate level positions, our team members engage with the profession and the community by educating the public on the architect’s role in improving the built and natural environments, participating in industry awards programs, and promoting community through a commitment to a variety of professional, civic and volunteer organizations.

Across federal and local jurisdictions in the region, Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS has obtained community support and approvals on projects that require careful analysis and design solutions responding to unique urban conditions, while maximizing value for our clients. With over 150 entitlements awarded on more than 75 projects, we maintain a 100% approval rate. Most recently, B|HA worked closely with the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning, the Bethesda Board of Architectural Review and the Montgomery County Planning Board (MCPB) on projects located in Silver Spring, MD and Bethesda, MD, and with the DC Office of Planning (DCOP) and the Zoning Commission on an affordable housing project in Washington, DC.

The past few months have reinforced the importance of teamwork in the face of health challenges, and confrontation of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in society and in our profession. Our ongoing focus and attention on our team composition has allowed us to build, grow and develop our most valuable asset: our people. The most recent additions to our dynamic team bring talent, perspective, energy, creativity, and skill that make our solutions for each project unique to its special circumstances.

The Midtown Row mixed-use development in Williamsburg, VA is taking shape as steel and concrete podiums are in place and wood framing is complete on multiple buildings. Midtown Row includes four new mixed-use buildings with 70,000 square feet of retail, office, and housing for over 620 residents, two grocery-anchored shopping centers with community-serving retail, an activated community green space, and parking garage. Buildings 1 and 4, the two larger L-shaped buildings, will be the first to be constructed. Building 1 will serve as the main hub for community and resident interaction. It will house the leasing office and a series of amenity spaces for the residents including an exterior patio with a pool.

Our team is very proud to announce that Richard Abendroth, AIA and Robert Kuentzel, AIA have both achieved licensure as Architects. At Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS, Richard and Robert gained requisite well-rounded on-the-job experience, and completed the National Council of Architectural Review Board Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and the 6-part Architectural Registration Exam (A.R.E.). The AXP requires completion of 3,740 hours across six professional practice areas while the A.R.E. assess knowledge and skills of the practice including areas that affect the integrity, soundness, and health impact of a building, as well as an architect’s responsibilities within firms, such as managing projects and coordinating the work of other professionals.

Changing trends in the religious sector are increasingly leading many clerical orders to capitalize on the value of their land by selling all or parts of it for redevelopment, while in turn building smaller, more versatile and efficient facilities. Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS is working on one such project with the Paulist Fathers, who are building a new right-sized mission house and residence as the last of a series of redevelopments of the Paulist’s land in the Brookland neighborhood, DC’s “Little Rome”.

Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS recognizes the importance of a healthy office environment for the well-being of its employees, and continually strives to improve and maintain these spaces. One sound way to improve air quality, enhance visuals, as well as employee alertness and energy levels is by bringing nature inside of the building through living green walls. Over the past half century, a notable increase of urban dwellers has led to an increase in air pollution and loss of green spaces. Living green walls infuse office interiors with life-renewing greenery. They offer an inspirational and aesthetically intriguing natural boost to employee morale. The structures of living, breathing plant life create the “wow factor” so many designers seek while championing sustainability. The benefits of green walls are felt in our office every day.

Last semester, the firm welcomed to the studio a talented intern, Michael Njo, an IPAL student from The Catholic University of America. The IPAL (Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure) program was created by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in 2015. The program offers a dynamic, innovative path to licensure for students who are dedicated to becoming an architect by integrating the opportunity to gain the real-world experience necessary to complete the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) and ensuring that each IPAL student can take all six divisions of the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®).

Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS is honored to have received 13 professional, community, and industry design awards in 2019. Congratulations to our Clients, consultant partners and talented B|HA team members, and to our General Contractors for executing these fine projects.