The JRA-designed Dracut Fire Station No. 3 in Dracut, MA is on schedule to be completed this fall. The masonry is complete, the exterior siding is nearing completion, and the paving will go in shortly. The new station will replace the existing Station No. 3 with expanded apparatus bays, and new firefighter bunk rooms, exercise,...Read More
Barber Walter’s Barbershop in Wellesley, MA (designed by Johnson Roberts Associates) was featured in a segment on the Chronicle TV show (WCVB, Channel 5) on Tuesday 10/13/20. See the clip here.Read More
Construction has begun on Johnson Roberts Associates’ additions and renovations to the Concord Free Public Library (in Concord, MA). We are linking a historic house to the main library and creating a new Children’s Department, Children’s Reading Garden, Makerspace and administrative offices. The link will contain a Wi Fi Café, and renovations to the existing library...Read More
East Forest Park Library Children’s Reading Room East Forest Park Library (Springfield, MA) — which was designed by Johnson Roberts Associates — will be featured in the Architectural issue of Library Journal magazine in November!Read More
Last year Johnson Roberts signed on to the AIA 2030 Commitment (which strives for all new buildings and major renovations to be carbon neutral by 2030). Now we have been acknowledged by the AIA for reaching the 2019 70% energy reduction goal for our projects (next year the goal will be 80%, and we plan...Read More
JRA Principal Phil O’Brien’s futuristic, conceptual drawing “Pinnacle at White Hill” has been chosen as one of 100 Finalists for the 2020 One Drawing Challenge! It was recognized as one of the best examples of architectural storytelling among this year’s amazing entries. Here’s Phil’s description of the piece: “‘Pinnacle at White Hill’ illustrates a self-contained,...Read More
During the ongoing pandemic we’ve been able to accomplish quite a bit. Here’s some of our recent activity: Started our design work on the new Greenfield Public Library. Continued construction administration on the new Public Safety Building in Essex, MA. Started our design work on the rehabilitation of Cambridge City Hall. Started design work on...Read More
In partnership with engineers from Garcia, Galuska & DeSousa, Johnson Roberts Associates recently developed HVAC protocols for the post COVID-19 opening of public buildings in Cambridge, and the opening of all Cambridge Public School buildings.Read More
On July 31, 2020, Johnson Roberts Associates held an online Library:NEXT event (part of a series of meetings/presentations on the future of libraries). This virtual roundtable focused on Covid 19 response, with a guest presentation by Carlos DeSousa of Garcia Galuska DeSousa, Engineers. A variety of local librarians attended and everyone learned something new. We...Read More
The Daily Hampshire Gazette recently published an article about our Hadley Free Public Library project — which is nearing completion. The adult area at the new Hadley Free Public Library, Monday, July 27, 2020.Read More
Johnson Roberts has moved into the design development phase for the new Greenfield Public Library. This new, two-story, 24,000 square foot facility will replace the current library, which has been housed since 1909 in the 1797 Leavitt-Hovey House, designed by Asher Benjamin, and later owned by local merchant George Hovey. The new facility will provide...Read More
When the school community returns to campus in the fall of 2020, they will be met with a comprehensive renovation of the second floor at 255 Bent Street. Originally designed as bio-tech research and office space, the second floor has been completely redesigned to provide much needed school community gathering and eating spaces. This three-month...Read More
The Essex Public Safety Facility is under construction, with the foundations in place and the elevated concrete structure currently underway. The new two-story facility will replace the aging combined station, with a new, state-of-the-art Police and Fire emergency response facility. Construction is scheduled to be complete later this year.Read More
The Hadley Public Library is currently under construction and has just reached the important milestone of closing in; the roof and walls are weather-tight, and the windows and doors are installed. The new Hadley Public Library replaces the existing Goodwin Memorial Library, built in 1902, and stands much as it did nearly 120 years ago....Read More
The Reuben Hoar Library, in Littleton, Massachusetts is currently being bid, with construction scheduled to begin in June of this year and take 14 to 16 months to complete. The new, two-story, 23,000-SF facility will replace the existing building, housed in a former school building. The proposed building will be built on a sloped site...Read More
Johnson Roberts Associates has been selected by the Town of Cohassett, Massachusetts to develop designs for restoration of the historic Cohasset Town Hall built in 1857, and replacement of a 1987 addition with a new addition, to better serve the needs of the community. The original building is in need of significant restoration and current...Read More
Johnson Roberts Associates has begun design work with the City of Cambridge on a significant renovation to Cambridge City Hall. Designed by architects Longfellow, Alden & Harlow and constructed in 1889, the Richardsonian Romanesque-style building is one of the most historically significant structures in Cambridge. The multi-phased project will provide new space for many departments...Read More
City officials, the Library foundation and locals gathered to cut the ribbon for the new East Forest Park Branch Library in Springfield, Massachusetts. The new library, which replaces a much smaller branch, has been eagerly anticipated by the community. In addition to book collections, the library provides a new bright and open children’s room with...Read More
Johnson Roberts Associates believes the health and safety of our community comes first. To do our part to control the spread of COVID-19, we will follow the recommendation of our scientific leaders and medical professionals. As of March 17, 2020, our employees will be working from home, and we are closing our office to the...Read More
In early December 2019, Johnson Roberts Associates joined members of the Essex Police and Fire Departments, selectmen, and representatives of G&R Construction to break ground for the Essex Public Safety Building. The new combined police and fire station will replace the town’s aging facilities. The project is expected to be completed in 2021.Read More
Construction recently started at the MA DCR’s Scusset Beach Garage in Sandwich, Massachusetts. Following a two-year planning process, thermal upgrades include both mechanical system upgrades (including new air-source heat pumps and associated mechanical ventilation) and exterior envelope upgrades (including new translucent fiberglass sandwich panel fenestration coverings and new and enlarged thermally efficient overhead doors). All...Read More
Johnson Roberts Associates led a workshop and roundtable discussion with representatives from Massport Capital Planning and Fire Rescue. Based on JRA’s recent presentation at ArchitectureBoston Expo 2019, Principals Jeff Davis and Stew Roberts, along with BFD Facilities Director Joseph Mayo reviewed the rationale and procedures for the industrial cleaning of existing BFD firehouses as well...Read More
The Town of Greenfield won a grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) to build a much-needed new library building. The current library lacks accessibility, space, and technology needed to fully serve the community. The MBLC grant is contingent on the Town approving a funding match. In November 2019, the Greenfield residents voted...Read More
Johnson Roberts Associates led a workshop and roundtable discussion based on JRA’s recently completed City of Boston / Boston Fire Department Firehouse Design Guidelines. Alongside BFD Commissioner Joseph Finn, BFD Facilities Director Joseph Mayo, and Boston PFD Senior Project Manager Scott Dupre, Johnson Roberts Principal Jeff Davis led the Healthy Firehouse Design workshop at ABX...Read More
On October 16, 2019, Johnson Roberts Associates joined local residents and officials to break ground on the new Hadley Public Library. The project is funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP). The new building will take the place of the original Goodwin Memorial Library which...Read More
