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
The Erving Public Library broke ground in late March 2019. The new building will replace the current one-room library and feature a dedicated children’s room meeting rooms and adult study areas. The new building has been design to respect the architectural heritage of the community. Construction has been moving along nicely.Read More
The Fells Branch Library in Wellesley is now open! This reimagined former one-room schoolhouse provides library space for children 0-6 to learn and explore. The walls feature murals by BlackBear Studios depicting nature scenes and Wellesley landmarks. Photo credit: Nystedt PhotographyRead More
Johnson Roberts Associates recently created an in-house Design Shop. The Design Shop promotes hands-on research and fabrication within our office. Staff can use the shop to build models and mock-ups of projects both within the office and of individual interest. The Design Shop provides a variety of power and hand tools including traditional woodworking tools...Read More
Following a tour of the expanded and redesigned Hopkinton Public Library, local librarian Jenny Arch wrote thorough review of the space on her blog. Jenny particularly appreciated the abundant use of modular furniture. Having tables, chairs, displays, and the circulation desk on wheels allows for flexible use of available space. Staff can easily move lightweight...Read More
Renovations of the new home for Arlington Center for the Arts are nearing completion. The renovations modernize two floors of a historical school building to create 7,645 SF of creative spaces. The new Center for the Arts will have learning spaces, including a clay studio, resident artist studios, art classrooms, and a flexible performance space.Read More
The East Forest Park Library in Springfield, Massachusetts is out to bid. The new library will create a focus for the East Forest Park neighborhood, replacing an aging branch library in a strip mall. The energy efficient single-story new building features indoor and outdoor community meeting spaces, study rooms, teen room, children’s room, a maker...Read More
Johnson Roberts Associates has signed on to the AIA 2030 Commitment. Buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. However, the AIA 2030 Commitment aims to change that. Through energy-efficient design, the AIA 2030 Commitment strives for all new buildings and major renovations to be carbon neutral by 2030. This...Read More
On July 7, 2018, Powder Magazine celebrated both its bicentennial and restoration. Powder Magazine is the oldest structure along the Charles River Basin. Due to its original purpose of storing gunpowder, neighborhood concerns about building’s explosive contents led to its abandonment in the 1860s. In 1899 the Olmsted brothers, sons of famous landscape architect Frederick...Read More
Jeff Davis recently spoke at the Brooks School in New Bedford to Mrs. Keaton’s second grade class about the best profession in the world – ARCHITECTURE(!) – as part of the school’s Career Day. Through a review of project drawings, large scale models, and architectural picture books, the children had no lack of questions for...Read More
Johnson Roberts Associates is working with the owners of Barber Walter’s to fit out a new barbershop space in the Belclare at Wellesley building in downtown Wellesley. The shop will have four cutting stations equipped with antique barber chairs purchased by the owner in New York City. The antique chairs set the tone for this...Read More
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded the Erving Public Library a construction grant. The grant allows the Town of Erving to build a new library, replacing the outdated current facility. Because the Town approved their portion of the funding prior to the award announcement, the next design phase began immediately. As such, the...Read More
Hopkinton Public Library opened the doors to its newly renovated and expanded space in October 2017. The community marked the occasion with a 1920s-themed fundraising event dubbed “A Novel Affair” that raised over $1 million dollars.Read More
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners construction grants awarded to 10 Johnson Roberts Associates libraries. In this latest round of funding, Johnson Roberts Associates designed of nearly one third of the 33 projects seeking funding.Read More
Michael Bellefeuille is now an Associate at Johnson Roberts Associates as of June 2017. Since joining the firm in 2014, Michael has worked on projects for municipal, state, and higher education clients. Some highlight include renovations to the Bentley Library at Northern Essex Community College, repurposing a former garage into a new home for the...Read More
Johnson Roberts Associates celebrated our 20th anniversary with family, friends, and colleagues. Spectacular musical performances by Rhythm Future Quartet capped off an evening of food, fun, and drink from neighboring Aeronaut Brewery.Read More
