‹‹ visit our portfolio site

Fennick McCredie Architecture Ltd

TAG  architecture

Feature-Community-FINAL
  • Features

by fmarch

A START-UP… GROWS UP

Here at Fennick McCredie we were thrilled to be named among the top 100 urban growth companies in the nation by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City.

Since the announcement the most common question has been “So…how’d you do it?” Looking back, some of the answers were a little surprising:

Focus. This one isn’t surprising. In fact it’s a bit overused – every company talks about focus. Still it’s good advice so we tried to focus and it worked. The surprising part however…

Our focus was never, ever on growth. True statement. Our focus is on client service. Deborah and I allocate the majority of our time to current projects and maintaining client relationships. This is the exact opposite of most growth firms and flies in the face of conventional wisdom. Just to be sure, we had our accounting firm run the numbers: industry-wide the utilization rate for firm partners (time spent on current projects) runs about 57%. At Fennick McCredie we ran 65%.  On top of this we had zero full-time marketing staff. Conventional wisdom centers on getting new clients. We did the opposite, choosing to take care of the ones we had. How does a firm who doesn’t focus on new business, get new business?

Start humble. In the beginning we took smaller roles to work on the projects that most interested us. Partnering with larger companies got our foot in the door with clients who might have otherwise seen us as too small or too risky.  An atypical approach, but a great educational opportunity – thanks to our partners we learned all about the inner workings of the industry: how to take care of clients, how to solve and even prevent problems, and how to make a difference. All this knowledge is only useful if, instead of chasing opportunity, you…

Stay present. By staying fully engaged in the project at-hand we got exposure that we otherwise might have missed. The process allowed us to hone our skills so when new opportunities arose we didn’t disappoint. It was only a matter of time before someone felt comfortable enough to hire us directly – at first for a small job, then later a larger one. Soon, we were getting referrals. A simple recommendation from one client to another carries more weight than an entire marketing department could unleash in a year. We were now credible in a world beyond the present, but only by focusing on the present could we truly become credible.

We are convinced that the reason this worked is because we focused on what matters to us, our clients. By not working towards growth, we GREW. There were of course other factors, not the least of which was luck (to some extent or another luck always plays a role, good or bad). As we look back however this contrarian approach served us well, and I’m certain could work for other start-ups looking for a chance – just one chance – to show their stuff.

-Jonathan

 

Deborah and Jonathan at the Inner City 100 Symposium held by the ICIC.

  • Snapshots

by fmarch

Meet Our Newest Team Member

Chris joins us with over twenty five years of experience, primarily focusing on cultural, educational and institutional projects involving large client groups and technically challenging projects.

Prior to joining Fennick McCredie Architecture, Chris was Principal at Schwartz/Silver Architects where he led the firm’s largest and most important projects, including the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Shaw Center has been featured in numerous national and international publications and has received the highest honor in every design awards program for which it was eligible. In 2008, the American Institute of Architects selected the Shaw Center for a National Honor Award.

Other notable projects include the A.H. McCoy Federal Building in Jackson, Mississippi (a GSA Design Excellence project), Ruffin Hall for the University of Virginia (the first purpose built Studio Art Building at the UVa) and the New England Aquarium West Wing Addition.

Chris is passionate about projects which bolster community and institutional vision and aspirations where the potential impact can be greater than the project alone.

As a like-minded colleague, we’re excited to welcome Chris to FMA.

  • Snapshots

by fmarch

Patina Panels

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: Hangar 8 has transformed from its bare-bones steel framing to luminous metal panels. Take a look!

  • Snapshots

by fmarch

Helping Hands at Teaticket

 

On Friday, May 18th, 2012, the exuberance of community was in the air when over 550 children from Mullen Hall Elementary participated in a day of service learning throughout the Falmouth community. A handful of kids lent their helping hands to Nancy Parmentier of Groundworks Landscape Architecture, the landscape architect of FMA’s new housing project, the Schoolhouse Green (Teaticket) Apartments located in Falmouth, MA. Groundworks Landscape Architecture organized the project and donated materials.

The sprouting enthusiasm of these youngsters gave a new life to the Schoolhouse Green’s nascent landscape. But Nancy notes that the greatest reward of the day was the animated interaction between the children and the residents of the Schoolhouse Green Apartments. A great job and many thanks to all that helped out. The landscape looks beautiful, and the spirit of the day – immeasurable.

  • News

by fmarch

Fennick McCredie Architecture News | Flash

FLASH | NEW PROJECTS

We look forward to a busy season with significant new projects on the horizon:

Four new MBTA stations as a part of the long awaited Green Line Extension Project

Design services for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s four venues:  the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the Boston Common Garage and the MassMutual Center

 

FLASH | RECOGNITION

Fennick | McCredie Architecture placed among the top 100 list for the Inner City Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies

In Inc. Magazine’s article, “Fast-Growth CEOs : Bullish on the Economy”

We were featured in Fortune Magazine as one of the Top 100 Fastest Inner Growing City Businesses

Feature article in the Boston Globe as one of 5 Massachusetts companies placing on the Top 100 List for one of the Fastest Growing Inner City Companies

Featured in BostInno article: 5 Mass Companies Elevate the Inner City around Them

 

FLASH | RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES

Looking forward to the completion of the new headquarters for YouthBuild Boston – renovation and addition to the historic fire house at 27 Centre Street in Roxbury – and ribbon cutting in September with Mayor Menino

The Excel Charter School in Chelsea will welcome in an additional new grade this fall following completion of an expansion to their campus space

 

FLASH | CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

At University of Massachusetts campuses:

UMass Amherst, construction has commenced for the renovation of campus planning, facilities and physical plant offices

UMass Lowell, the new South Campus parking facility foundations are underway

 

At Logan International Airport:

The 49 acre development of a new Consolidated Rental Car Facility has celebrated “topping off”, and innovative terracotta-clad precast concrete panels are arriving on the site; see our recent blog on the terracotta system

The Aircraft Hangars Upgrades are currently under construction. For more info – take a look at our blog

 

A private Back Bay residence‘s new design renovations are advancing into construction

 

FLASH | COMMUNITY

Outside the FMA studio, Erin Hunt, is a member of the Quincy Historical Commission and the Building Enclosure Council

Michelle Callinan is the Copy Editor PRAXIS – a journal of writing + building

Deborah Fennick is serving on the Boston Society of Architects board of directors as commissioner of architectural design

Deborah’s term on the City of Somerville’s Design Review Committee has been renewed

 

ART EXHIBIT

Landscape oil paintings of Agnes Jacob, project designer will be exhibited this coming December at the Marblehead Library/ Abbot Public Library. Visit her online gallery at www.gingerteastudio.com to learn about her work as a painter

  • Features

feature  
by fmarch

The Wrecking Ball for One of Boston’s Historic Buildings?

Facade_Atlantic Boiler Works

East Boston’s 1893 Atlantic Boiler Works, one of the last waterfront structures that recalls its district’s maritime history, is threatened to be demolished.

also read

The neighborhood was once a thriving marine industrial area with wharf, docks, and piers lining the waterfront’s edge.  These once ubiquitous structures are now almost gone, replaced by condominium, shopping malls and parks.

Boston Towing, a harbor tugboat operating company, owns Atlantic Boiler and is one of the last water dependent businesses in the area. Recently the Fire Department required them to bring the building up to code, and from Boston Towing’s standpoint – demolishing the building costs less than spending the estimated $750K-1M to fix it.

The community is looking for ways to save this building.  Given the short period of time (demolition permit deadline is September 10, 2012),  options are running out. The 3 strategies being discussed to save the building are:

1. Change the zoning boundary of the building: It can function as something other than marine/ water related industry. This will make the property more valuable to develop; however, it wouldn’t necessarily save the structure.

2. Apply for the landmark status: This will protect the building from demolition; however, the landmark status may put restrictions on the alteration of the facade making it harder to develop the property.

3. Lease the space to nearby marinas and extend harborwalk into the property: This potentially would require the owner to maintain the property, which they are not interested in the first place.

What are your ideas to save this building? Have you faced a similar issue? For inquiries or suggestions – please contact Scott Hamwey at scotthamwey@yahoo.comor Susan Brauner at susanparkerbrauner@gmail.com

-Agnes

  • Features

feature  
by fmarch

Reverse Mentoring

PresentationSeriesCalendar

It is both humbling and inspiring that the most junior of our office are able to teach the most senior.

also read

Learning is always encouraged at the Fennick McCredie studio. At the initiative of younger project designers Ashley and Dan, a new, bi-weekly Software Series was implemented where we have a short tutorial during lunch on the Adobe Design Software Programs – InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. While attending the InDesign tutorial last week, which was given by our ambitious and software-savvy interns, Eric and Blake, I was impressed by the quality and relevance of the content. It is both humbling and inspiring that the most junior of our office are able to teach the most senior. In addition to these software series presentations, we also receive a weekly quick-tip relating to what we’ve learned.

Check out this one Blake sent out today!

This inverted mentoring is just a small piece of our office culture that encourages knowledge and idea sharing. Talent bubbles up everywhere in the studio – how can we capture it, share it? Check out the nicely designed poster Eric made for our Software Series Forum in InDesign set as our banner image.

 

Learning has no pre-disposed boundary in age, background, or educational level. Knowledge is meant to be embraced, regardless of the source as long as it’s good stuff! As a wise Chinese proverb puts it, “It’s a blessing when one can live until an old age and learn until an old age!”

-Judy