Sparhawk Academy Advances Campus Growth with New High School Building and Great Hall Enhancements

Sparhawk Academy, a private, independent school in Millis, Massachusetts, has launched a significant new phase of campus development with the design of a new high school building, targeted enhancements to its historic Great Hall, and long-term planning for a future athletic and performance facility. The school is partnering with Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects (GRLA) to guide the work, aligning new development with Sparhawk’s educational mission and rural New England setting.

Central to the project is a new approximately 18,000-square-foot high school building located just north of the existing Great Hall. Designed to support Sparhawk Academy’s growing upper school program, the building will include flexible homeroom classrooms, science and seminar spaces, mentoring rooms, and administrative offices. Shared gathering areas are integrated throughout to encourage connection, dialogue, and community.

Architecturally, the building draws inspiration from traditional New England farm structures, incorporating barn-like forms, simple massing, and durable materials that feel both timeless and rooted in place.

In conjunction with the new high school, the project includes exterior improvements to the existing Great Hall. Planned updates feature wraparound porches, refreshed exterior cladding, and a new cupola, reinforcing the building’s role as a central campus gathering space while enhancing its visibility and presence. A new connecting structure will link the Great Hall and high school, establishing a welcoming main entrance from Orchard Street and improving circulation across campus.

As part of the broader campus planning effort, GRLA has also developed conceptual designs for a future athletic and performance building. Envisioned as a post-and-beam structure reminiscent of a New England barn, the proposed facility would accommodate a regulation basketball court, training and wrestling spaces, locker rooms, and performance areas. While planned as a future phase, the building is being incorporated into current site planning to support a cohesive and cost-effective long-term strategy.

The project team is working closely with Sparhawk Academy’s Board and faculty to address program needs, campus circulation, environmental considerations, and regulatory requirements. Construction of the new high school is anticipated to be phased around the academic calendar, with the goal of welcoming students into the space for the 2026–2027 school year.

Rendering of the side view of the campus

GRLA commits to service in honor of 50th anniversary

Employees at Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects have an ambitious goal: perform 50 good deeds throughout 2026.

The architectural firm is undertaking this challenge in honor of its 50th anniversary. Employees will be encouraged throughout GRLA’s anniversary year to find opportunities for service in their community and share it with the firm.

Leigh Walker, GRLA’s director of marketing and communications, said the “50 for 50 Initiative” is designed to let the firm’s 30 staff members give back to “what they feel passionate about or connected to.”

The initiative started at the end of 2025, and several projects already are underway. Walker noted that GRLA completed a firm-wide winter coat drive and donated both goods and gift cards to Project Just Because.

“[Efforts] range from stopping and helping someone who needs a tire changed to donating blood,” Walker added. Some employees are conducting their service through their churches, and one staff member is running a teen counseling program with Al-Anon.

GRLA also is looking to expand its reach beyond Hopkinton and the region. According to Walker, the firm has partnered with a group called Steps to Dignity. Architects from the firm are helping the nonprofit develop conceptual plans for a school for girls and a community health center in Sierra Leone. 

“The local impact is great, but we can have [an] impact all over,” Walker said in relation to the partnership with Steps to Dignity.

This is not GRLA’s first time running an initiative like this. Walker explained that the business engaged in a 40-for-40 program 10 years ago. This time around, the initiative is driven more by employees than the firm.

“We’re asking people to look at their own community and what they care about,” said Walker. She added that the firm will reflect on its community service during its anniversary party in June.

“We are definitely on track to meet (and hopefully exceed} our goal,” Walker stated in a follow-up email.

Written by NICK SCHOFIELD of Hopkinton Independent

Link to original article

2026 is a Milestone Year for GRLA

In 2026, GRLA turns 50 years old!

That’s a sentence I still find a little astounding to write.

This anniversary happens to coincide with another milestone year in our country’s history. America will be celebrating 250 years—a reminder of the enduring role the built environment plays in shaping communities and improving everyday life.

What began as a small, scrappy practice has grown into a firm defined by thoughtful design, technical rigor, collaboration, and a genuine belief that architecture can—and should—make life better. Over five decades, we’ve weathered recessions, industry shifts, evolving technologies, and changing expectations, while staying true to a simple belief: good work starts with good people.

That growth is the result of talented individuals, strong partnerships with clients, consultants and contractors, and a shared commitment to sustainable, well-crafted design and building solutions.

This anniversary year isn’t just about looking back—though we should absolutely take pride in what we’ve built together. It’s about recommitting to the values that got us here: curiosity, integrity, a deep commitment to doing excellent work, and respect for one another and our clients. It’s about continuing to ask smart questions, embrace complexity, and do work that stands the test of time.

The year ahead will include plenty of reminiscing and celebrating—and just as importantly, giving back. Our staff of 30 has committed to completing 50 good deeds in honor of our 50th year, a reflection of the sense of community and shared responsibility that have always defined GRLA.

Most of all, this milestone belongs to the people of GRLA—past and present—whose talent, dedication, and good humor have shaped this firm every step of the way.

I’m grateful, I’m proud, and I’m excited for what comes next.

Here’s to 50 years of great work, great clients, meaningful impact, and an even brighter future ahead.

Sincerely,

Welcome Finn Henry

Meet Finn Henry, GRLA’s summer intern and a rising senior at Marquette University, where he’s currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Hailing from Quincy, MA, Finn brings valuable hands-on experience from his previous work with the City of Quincy Department of Public Works, along with a strong and dedicated interest in infrastructure and community-focused design. He’s truly excited to spend this summer immersed in real-world architectural and building envelope projects, learning from our experienced team and contributing his skills in GIS, AutoCAD, and field inspection. We are pleased to welcome Finn to our team!

GRLA Completes Renovation at One Ash Street in Hopkinton

Open display area

GRLA has recently completed a renovation at One Ash Street, home to the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) which organizes the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America. Built in 1900, this 9,000 square foot historic building is located on Route 135 next to the famous Boston Marathon start line in Hopkinton.

GRLA worked closely with the B.A.A. to design a new floor plan and layout for an expanded display area to house their collection of memorabilia and pay homage to the history of the Boston Marathon through a museum-like experience. The renovated space includes an open display room, an archive room and storage areas to support B.A.A. events as well as a new lounge, fitness room and collaboration and meeting spaces.

Accessibility was a central focal point for this renovation project, with the aim of ensuring inclusion for all. As a result, various exterior improvements have been implemented, including the addition of designated accessible parking spaces, a gently sloped walkway to accommodate easier entry, and automatic door openers for convenience. In addition, the interior upgrades consist of two new ADA-compliant restrooms, a lift installed for access to the second floor, and the enlargement of all doors to provide universal access.

Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association said, “We are grateful to Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects for their partnership with this renovation project at our One Ash Street office. When we took ownership of this historic building, we wanted to be intentional in how we cared for it as we respected its past while bringing it forward for our future use. A building with such history needed to be altered with care while ensuring that accessibility was front and center in all the planning. GRLA, the Hopkinton Historic District Commission, the construction team, and the project managers shared the B.A.A.’s vision which led to the outcome we pursued. GRLA brought our vision to life, making it a reality.”

Construction was by Votze-Butler Associates.

Jeremy Toal Joins GRLA as Integrated Services Manager

GRLA is proud to welcome back Jeremy Toal, AIA, LEED AP, to the firm as our new Integrated Services Project Manager. A licensed architect, sustainable design specialist, and design equity advocate, Jeremy returns to GRLA—where he began his career—with over 30 years of experience spanning multi-family residential, affordable housing, large-scale industrial manufacturing, healthcare, and educational projects.

In his new role, Jeremy will collaborate closely with our Architecture, Building Envelope Sciences, and Interiors teams to lead quality assurance/quality control initiatives, support project management, and champion sustainable, equitable design practices.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jeremy back to GRLA,” says Principal Scott Richardson. “His deep experience, thoughtful approach, and passion for sustainable, inclusive design are a perfect match for the work we’re doing.”

GRLA Welcomes Jayson Schlosser and Jordan Bembe

GRLA is proud to announce the addition of two new employees to the team, Jayson Schlosser as BES Technician and Jordan Bembe as Designer II.

Jayson Schlosser

Jayson is the newest member of the GRLA Building Envelope Science team. He recently completed his Master of Architecture degree, along with a Certificate of Preservation Practices, from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. Jayson brings not only his enthusiasm but also a commendable willingness to dive right into any project, ready to tackle challenges head-on, even if that means standing in the rain to conduct a detailed field investigation.

Jordan Bembe

Jordan comes to Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects with a comprehensive set of skills that encompasses a wealth of previous experience in preparing designs for a diverse range of projects, including office fit-outs, hospitality venues, multifamily residential developments, and the meticulous rehabilitation of historic homes. He possesses a genuine passion for delivering thoughtful, detail-oriented solutions that meet the unique needs of each project while seamlessly integrating emerging technologies to enhance and streamline architectural processes. Jordan holds a Master of Architecture degree from the esteemed Wentworth Institute of Technology, which has further solidified his expertise in the field.

Quinsigamond Shores Receives Building Envelope Replacement

GRLA recently completed a comprehensive building envelope replacement at Quinsigamond Shores Condominiums located along Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The six-building, 48-unit condominium development constructed in the mid-1980s with wood siding and trim along with brick exterior and chimneys was experiencing persistent water intrusion as well as other water-related complications including ice dams, gutter/water drainage, and balcony deterioration.

To learn more details about the project please visit the project page.

GRLA Completes New Space for EyePoint Pharmaceuticals

GRLA designed a single-story, 40,000 SF Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) pharmaceutical manufacturing building in Northbridge, Massachusetts for EyePoint Pharmaceuticals (EyePoint). This new facility allows EyePoint to expand its manufacturing capacity as they continue developing innovative therapeutics for patients with serious retinal disease.

The single-story building includes cleanroom manufacturing, cutting-edge laboratory space, a high-bay warehouse area with support offices as well as conference rooms, open office area and private offices.

GRLA closely collaborated with RP Masiello, and EyePoint to meticulously design a state-of-the-art building that achieves ISO-7 cleanroom classification and support spaces with ISO-8 classification designed to comply with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) standards for production of therapeutics. A key feature is the walkable ceiling system installed above the pre-manufactured cleanroom system allowing ease of access to the overhead equipment with minimal disruption and downtime to the cleanroom space.

“GRLA did a great job serving as the architectural firm for EyePoint’s new Manufacturing Facility in Northbridge. They were focused on making sure the facility was both aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient,” commended Joe Musiak, Sr. Director of Facilities & Engineering at EyePoint Pharmaceuticals.

Revvity Enjoys New Headquarters

GRLA recently completed phase one of Revvity’s new corporate headquarters relocation at 77 CityPoint in Waltham, Massachusetts. The 30,000 SF renovation included design of a new executive office suite with a state-of-the-art boardroom and executive private offices, conference rooms, collaboration spaces, breakout and coffee areas. The remaining areas were renovated to accommodate all the required support offices with extensive glass wall systems and new collaborative and flexible furniture systems. Color schemes reflect Revvity’s new brand which adopts a neutral palette inspired by the organic shapes and movement of their visual identity. Use of natural light woods in combination with off-whites and lighter beiges present a good background for bright accent walls, vibrant artwork and graphics reflecting the dynamic nature of the brand.

Phase two of the project, which includes a 10,000 SF renovation is anticipated to start in January of 2025 and will include the main entrance lobby, more conferencing and large town hall meeting spaces, a gaming zone and areas that encourage social interaction.

Construction is by J Calnan Associates.

Collaboration Space

GRLA Celebrates Recent Employee Promotions

GRLA is proud to announce that the following employees have been promoted.

Rebecca Burlingame - Director of Interior Design. Rebecca has been creating and redesigning interior spaces for over 15 years for a wide variety of clients including institutional, corporate, and municipal. The experience, creativity, team problem-solving abilities and thoughtful approach that Rebecca brings to each project is invaluable. She has a remarkable ability to transform a space in a way that successfully meets the clients' vision.

Brandon Gaulin - Architectural Designer III. Brandon has a strong background in both architectural and building envelope design, which equips him with a unique skill set. He meticulously prepares detailed construction documents and provides comprehensive construction phase services for a diverse array of projects, including life science facilities, corporate offices, and institutional buildings. Additionally, he actively participates in building envelope services, such as thorough testing and extensive building studies.

Andrew Turgeon - BES Assistant Project Manager. Andrew’s responsibilities, include field observations, building envelope failure investigations, and water testing to assess potential vulnerabilities. In addition, he helps to develop specifications and construction documents, ensuring that project designs align with technical requirements and industry standards. Andrew holds a mechanical engineering degree and is currently pursuing an architecture degree. This combination of practical experience and continued education equips him with a multidisciplinary perspective, enhancing his ability to contribute to complex building envelope projects effectively.

“These are well deserved promotions. Rebecca, Brandon and Andrew each bring their set of skills to our team contributing to GRLA’s success.” said Scott Richardson.

Building Envelope Restoration at the Historic Upton Grange Hall

Upton Grange 

Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects worked closely with the Massachusetts and Upton Historical Commissions and the Upton Grange team to restore the building envelope of the historic Grange Hall located at 26 School Street in Upton. The Greek-Revival style building which was built in 1850 as a schoolhouse and subsequently became the meeting place for the Upton Grange required much-needed renovations. GRLA was responsible for providing the design to reroof the entire building, replace and repair all clapboard siding, repaint the building based on historic analysis of the original paint colors from the 1850’s and replace the handicap ramp and install a new code compliant railing system. Primary funding was from the Massachusetts Historic Commission.

GRLA Celebrates the WHEAT Community Connections Groundbreaking in Clinton

GRLA celebrated the groundbreaking of the future home of the United Way of Tri-County’s (UWOTC) Clinton site located at 224-230 High Street. In attendance were Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Senator John Cronin, State Rep Meg Kilcoyne, Jodi Breidel, RP Masiello, Inc. The Worcester Business Development Corporation, Town of Clinton, MA, and Scott Richardson.

GRLA designed the new community building that will offer an enhanced food security program for WHEAT Community Connections and WHEAT Community Cupboard & Cafe, provide a new location for Hidden Treasures Thrift Store, include eight transitional housing units, and feature expanded office and meeting spaces for the community.

Kevin LaCoe and Jorge Gomez Receive Promotions

GRLA is proud to announce that….

Kevin LaCoe

Kevin LaCoe has been promoted to Senior Project Manager. He has over 25 years of professional and technical experience in construction administration, design, and documentation. In addition to project management and design detailing, Kevin serves as the Director of Technology, and administers the firm’s IT infrastructure. “Kevin is an integral part of the GRLA team from project management for high-end corporate and fast-track projects to maintaining the firm’s information technology.” said Scott Richardson.

Jorge Gomez

Jorge Gomez has been promoted to Project Designer & Illustrator for GRLA’s Architecture Studio. He is a talented designer who takes great pride in his work and has an exceptional attention to detail. Jorge’s renderings provide clients with a graphical representation of the vision they have for their project. “Providing 3D digital renderings has proven to be extremely beneficial. Jorge has a natural ability to take an idea and create fantastic, detailed renderings for our clients.” comments Scott Richardson.

GRLA’s Ethan Miller Achieves PHIUS Certification, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Architecture

Ethan Miller, CPHC Building Envelope Sciences Technician

GRLA proudly announces that Ethan Miller, Building Envelope Sciences Technician, has achieved certification from the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS).  This prestigious certification reflects GRLA’s ongoing commitment to sustainable and energy efficient architectural practices.

The PHIUS certification is a testament to Ethan’s expertise in designing buildings that meet rigorous energy performance standards while providing superior comfort and indoor air quality. 

“As a PHIUS-certified professional, Ethan brings valuable knowledge and skills to GRLA’s projects, strengthening our ability to deliver high-performance buildings that reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact,” said Scott Richardson, GRLA’s President and Principal. “We look forward to leveraging his knowledge to better serve our clients and continue our legacy of excellence in sustainable design.”

Women In Construction Week

Women in Construction Week is led by the National Association of Women in Construction to celebrate women and their key role in the construction industry. This year's theme, 'Keys to the Future', honors the important role women have in affecting the future of the construction industry.

At GRLA, we are proud of our team of women and the contributions they are making to not only GRLA projects, but the future of the built environment.

What is your role at GRLA and what do you enjoy most about the work that you do?

Rebecca Burlingame

As an interior designer at GRLA, my role revolves around collaborating with both clients and team members. I find great joy in orchestrating the transformation of spaces, merging beauty with functionality. The thrill lies in the evolution of designs as I gather programming information, client goals, and ideas, molding them into a cohesive space that fulfills their needs.

Jyotika Girdhar

In my role as a Building Envelope Sciences Technician at GRLA, my focus is creating comprehensive construction document sets, conducting site visits, and preparing detailed field reports. I work closely with Project Managers on diverse roof projects, including restoration and replacement. Much of my time is spent drafting in CAD, which can be challenging, but I do find it enjoyable. Furthermore, researching products and compiling data are aspects of my work that I particularly find satisfying at GRLA.

Skye Jensen

I'm the Director of Finance at GRLA, managing diverse tasks like payroll, receivables, payables, and job cost accounting. What I love most is working with the team to ensure projects stay on budget and on track.

My experience as a member of NAWIC Greater Worcester Chapter #241 has exceeded expectations. Connecting with women across various industries, sharing stories, and collaborating on community services, like supporting Girl Scouts and fundraising for scholarships, has been incredibly rewarding.

Stephanie Konicki

As an interior designer at GRLA, I thrive on engaging in various project phases. Whether diving into construction set details or selecting fabrics for furniture, each day presents a different challenge, making the work consistently exciting. The presence of a supportive team enhances my experience, providing a continuous learning environment that adds to the overall enjoyment of my role.

Dina Soliman

As a Project Manager at GRLA, I oversee a variety of projects, with a major focus on designing spaces for life sciences clients.

I find the collaborative journey with the design team rewarding, from conceptualizing ideas to supporting each other through successful project completion. I thrive on seeing projects evolve from sketches to functional spaces, and I enjoy coordinating with diverse engineering trades. The construction administration phase serves as a rich learning experience for me, providing insights for future projects. Establishing enduring relationships with clients and witnessing their satisfaction upon project completion are the most fulfilling aspects of my role. Experiencing the completed space that we've designed and seeing it in use and being enjoyed is truly remarkable.

GRLA Welcomes Two New Hires

Aaron Kotilainen

GRLA is thrilled to welcome two new employees to the building envelope science team, Aaron Kotilainen as an Assistant Project Manager and Owalid Rahman as a BES Technician.

Aaron brings significant experience managing building envelope projects from existing conditions evaluations to design through construction administration. He has worked on a variety of project types including masonry restoration, large scale fenestration replacement, building recladding, concrete restoration, and low and steep slope roofing replacements.    

He is well versed in forensic evaluations on problematic legacy and new building systems including ASTM and AAMA water testing standards. He also specializes in performing parametric energy and hygrothermal/dewpoint modeling simulations on existing and proposed envelope systems.

Owalid Rahman

Owalid recently received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from Fitchburg State University. As a Building Envelope Sciences Technician Owalid is responsible for conducting field inspections and fenestration testing, preparing construction drawings and detailed, processing submittals, performing construction site visits and other construction administration tasks. Owalid will also be assisting our Architecture Team in a similar capacity.

“I am excited for the exceptional skills and knowledge that both Aaron and Owalid bring to our team. They are both eager to take on this new chapter with GRLA and provide our clients with exceptional service,” says Chris Paszko, Director of Building Envelope Sciences.

Robert Gutmann is Promoted to Project Manager

GRLA is pleased to announce that Robert Gutmann has been promoted to Project Manager. Robert manages a variety of building envelope projects including roof restorations, property assessment studies, leak investigations, and testing for residential condominium developments, academic and civic buildings.

“Robert brings his attention to detail and thorough understanding of the building envelope to each of the projects he manages. He is an integral part of our BES team and welcomes new opportunities and challenges with enthusiasm. He has shown great dedication to the team and our clients, and we are excited for him to take on this new expanded role.” shares Chris Paszko, Director of Building Envelope Sciences.

Robert is an active member of the CSI Worcester Chapter where he serves as secretary on the board of directors.

GRLA Completes Renovations at the Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University

Mission Control - Christa McAuliffe Challenger Center for Integrated Science Learning

GRLA recently completed the renovations at the Christa McAuliffe Challenger Center for Integrated Science Learning at Framingham State University. GRLA worked closely with the Massachusetts State College Building Authority, STV, Inc., Commodore Builders, and Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates to complete this project. The McAuliffe Center at FSU was originally built in 1994 and has been renovated to integrate the newest technologies and systems that represent the latest in Challenger Learning Centers nationwide.

The goal of the project was to convert the current center, used by students in grades K-12, into a suite of multifunctional, technology-enabled learning spaces, and to introduce modern visualizations and simulation capabilities. The lobby, Mission Control, Spacecraft, and Planetarium underwent a full redesign, along with support spaces like administration offices and restrooms. The lobby space was enhanced to accommodate large gatherings and create a seamless transition to the Challenger Command Center. The Command Center and the Spacecraft Experience were completely redesigned and equipped with new infrastructure. The planetarium was renovated to become a multifunctional space with moveable seats and equipped with state-of-the-art Projection Systems allowing presentations to be live and interactive.

Interior finishes, graphics and design elements were coordinated to promote excitement and interest in space study.  

Congratulations to Ty Spencer

GRLA is proud to share the achievement of our Building Envelope Project Manager, Ty Spencer. Ty recently completed the Building Enclosure Commissioning certification course offered by the office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro) at the College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Upon completion of an intensive week-long training program, Ty successfully demonstrated his knowledge of the material by passing the examinations to obtain both Building Enclosure Commissioning Process Provider (BECxP) and Accredited Commissioning Authority + Building Enclosure (CxA+BE) certifications.