Leadership
HHL Architects has been an idea-driven architectural design and planning firm since its establishment in 1969. The founders, Buffalo architects Mike Hamilton, Fred Houston, and Ted Lownie, were primarily focused on improving the quality of the design process and architecture in Western New York. Now, partners Matthew Meier and Kenneth Riter continue to perpetuate this focus on idea-driven design and have expanded these ideals not only in the Western New York area, but also throughout New York State and the country in places such as New York City, Virginia, Tennessee, and Colorado.
Our practice has grown to encompass all project types including new build, renovation/addition, adaptive reuse, restoration/preservation, and planning projects. We apply these capabilities in a wide variety of industries, including residential, cultural, education, corporate, hospitality, and healthcare.
Through intimate knowledge of government and private agencies, contractors, as well as suppliers and building codes, the firm is able to move projects from inception to completion expeditiously. HHL takes particular pride in its responsiveness to client needs, ability to lead and coordinate a team of specialized disciplines, efficiency of production, quality of design, thoroughness of construction documents, and responsible project administration in all phases of work.
HHL’s concern for both users and their environment has led to working closely with our clients to effect optimum realization of their goals and has deeply involved the firm in projects oriented towards development of the community and its context.
While it’s true that talented individuals have independent success stories, we believe the continuity of key team members is valuable in demonstrating our firms’ capabilities.
The team we have chosen has a proven track record, not only on new construction but also in historic preservation. They have developed the long term relationships and personal commitments to each other that are critical to the team’s success.