John J. Hoffmann, FAIA

John is the founder of Hoffmann Architects + Engineers. A commitment to the nearly lost art of innovative, precise architectural detailing guides John’s direction of the remedial and restoration projects undertaken by the firm.

Under John’s leadership, Hoffmann has advanced a reputation for building enclosure expertise and industry leadership. Early in his career, John observed that critical interfaces between building components and details within assemblies were left to the discretion of contractors, with little or no guidance from the architect. He built his practice around these vital details, providing clients with documents that paid scrupulous attention to potential weaknesses in assemblies, from terminations and intersections to joints and openings. Soon, he was providing specialized rehabilitation and restoration services for some of the most iconic works of architecture in the United States.

A graduate of the City College of New York, John was elevated to fellowship in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1992 for significant contribution to the field of architecture. In 2006, he was named a Richard Upjohn Fellow of the AIA for service to the profession.

Committed to elevating the next generation of design professionals, John championed creation of the Hoffmann Diversity Advancement Scholarship, in partnership with the Connecticut Architecture Foundation. In addition to the funds contributed by the firm, John and his wife, Susan, personally donate several thousand dollars each year to sustain this important initiative. John received the Community Kindness Heroes award from Liberty Bank/Hartford Yard Goats for his advocacy and leadership in establishing this program.

John’s contributions to the design and construction industry demonstrate his commitment to educating other professionals about the importance of enclosure detailing. He served on the National Board of Directors of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and was a board member of AIA New England, as well as past president of AIA Connecticut. He was also a board member and past vice president of the Connecticut Architecture Foundation (CAF). As a champion of detailing in architectural specifications, he served as Connecticut chapter president of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). At the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), John served on the International Board of Governors and on the board of directors for the Middle Atlantic Region; he was also a founding member and president of the BOMA Southern Connecticut chapter.

John is also an active member of many other industry organizations, including the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Architects Declare (advocating for climate and biodiversity), Building Enclosure Council (BEC), Connecticut Building Congress (CBC), Preservation Connecticut, International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI), and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

As executive chairman, John advises the new leadership team on business practices, marketing initiatives, and technical questions, and he continues to serve on the firm’s board of directors and executive committee.

Outside the office, John engages in philanthropy through organizations devoted to civil liberties, equality, housing, food security, and education. He has also served on committees for preservation in the community. In addition to good cigars, he enjoys visiting with his college-age granddaughters and his two daughters – one nearby and one in Miami.