Hoffmann Architects + Engineers, a design firm specializing in the rehabilitation of building exteriors, contributed $25,000 to fund the Hoffmann Diversity Advancement Scholarship, administered through the Connecticut Architecture Foundation. The fund provides scholarships for students from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups who are seeking degrees in architecture or engineering.
CAF Giving Hoffmann ScholarshipThe Hoffmann Diversity Advancement Scholarship is open to applicants who are students entering or enrolled full-time in an NAAB-accredited architecture program or ABET-accredited civil or structural engineering program, and residents / full-time college or university students located in southern New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island) or the eastern Mid-Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland), regions that form the core of Hoffmann’s practice. Eligible applicants represent a minority racial or ethnic group, as defined by the State of New York.
Unique among Connecticut Architecture Foundation awards, the Hoffmann Diversity Advancement Scholarship offers recipients the opportunity for a paid internship in one of the firm’s offices. As a practice specializing in a niche field of the architecture and engineering profession, the design and rehabilitation of the building enclosure, Hoffmann can provide students with practical experience in diagnosis and detailing of exterior envelope systems that they likely would not be exposed to in their architecture or engineering studies.
“I am excited about the opportunities this scholarship will offer, not only to promising students, but also to the design professions,” said Alison Hoffmann, Communications Manager at Hoffmann and chair of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. “With architecture and engineering programs still enrolling a predominantly white student body, there is little room for the kind of innovations that come from bringing together diverse perspectives. This scholarship aims to take steps toward addressing that imbalance.”
The Hard Facts
According to a report by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the National Organization of Minority Architects, most people completing the Architectural Experience Program, a key step to earning an architecture license, were white: 63%. Just 3.4% were Black, 12.5% were Hispanic/Latinx, and 16.6% were Asian/Pacific Islander.
Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce released similar data for engineers, reporting that 5% are Black, 9% are Hispanic/Latinx, and 15% are Asian/Pacific Islander. Two-thirds of engineering jobs are held by white people.
A Legacy of Change
Hoffmann CAF Scholarship PosterHoffmann Architects + Engineers was founded by John J. Hoffmann, FAIA, who came to the United States in the 1950s as a Hungarian refugee. From its beginnings as the dream of an immigrant who arrived speaking little English, the firm has expanded to encompass dozens of employees and a diverse ownership. Today, Hoffmann is known for expertise in building enclosures and has contributed to the preservation of landmarks of national and cultural significance, including the U.S. Capitol, the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, and the Smithsonian Institution. In homage to its origins, the firm is committed to advancing opportunities for underrepresented groups in the field of design.
“As someone who started off by working full-time and going to night school, I know what it’s like to struggle to build a career,” said John Hoffmann, an alumnus of The City College of New York. Mr. Hoffmann and his wife, Susan, contributed personally to help establish the scholarship fund. “I can’t pay back the people who helped me get to where I am, but I can pay it forward. I hope this scholarship gives promising students a leg up in meeting their goals.”
Scholarship Application and Donations
Contributions to the Hoffmann Diversity Advancement Scholarship Fund may be made through the Connecticut Architecture Foundation: https://cafct.org/hoffmann-diversity-advancement-scholarship/
Application forms and details on eligibility and submission requirements are available through CAF: https://cafct.org/2023-hoffmann-diversity-advancement-scholarship/
The deadline to submit application materials is April 28, 2023 at 11:50pm EST.
About Hoffmann Architects + Engineers
Founded in 1977, Hoffmann Architects + Engineers specializes in the rehabilitation of building enclosures. The firm’s work focuses on the exteriors of existing structures, diagnosing and resolving deterioration within facades, roofing systems, windows, waterproofing materials, plazas/terraces, parking garages, and historic and landmark structures. We provide consulting services for new construction, as well as litigation and claim support. Our technical professionals investigate and correct damage resulting from time and weather, substandard or improper construction, design defects, material failures, poor workmanship, structural movement, and stress. To learn more, visit www.hoffarch.com.
About the Connecticut Architecture Foundation
The Connecticut Architecture Foundation Inc. was established by the Connecticut Chapter of The American Institute of Architects in 1978. The organization’s mission is to raise the public awareness of, and expectations for, architecture and the built environment. CAF accomplishes these goals through the funding of programs in education, scholarship, mentorship and research. Administration of the Foundation’s Scholarship Program is an important part of that work. For more information, visit www.cafct.org.
Related Stories
| Sep 13, 2012
Leo A Daly Company promotes Kraskiewicz to senior vice president
Kraskiewicz, who most recently served as chief operations officer for the Leo A Daly division, will guide brand management, business development, operations and financial performance for 18 offices worldwide.
| Sep 12, 2012
Harvesting new ways to eliminate waste at the USDA
After installing 20 high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers in restrooms throughout the USDA headquarters; the USDA reports seeing an immediate 50% reduction in the use of paper towels.
| Sep 11, 2012
RTKL appoints Lance Hosey as Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President
Author and authority on green design to spearhead RTKL Performance-driven DesignSM initiative.
| Sep 11, 2012
McQuade appointed CEO of Tishman Construction
McQuade will focus on driving the growth of the company into new markets and expanding market share in its current areas of operation.
| Sep 11, 2012
Ecosystem Management & Associates joins HDR
EM&A staff will do business as part of HDR Engineering and HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction.
| Sep 10, 2012
Specialty door types—plenty of functional variety
In the MasterFormat section 08 30 00, Specialty Doors and Frames, a number of door types are listed for special functions, access locations, sliding and folding hardware, and even pressure-resistant types.
| Sep 7, 2012
7 Do's and Don'ts for PV roof rack installation
As PVs grow in popularity, nearly half of all installations require roof rack systems. Our expert tells how to do the job right and protect your client’s roof.
| Sep 7, 2012
Net-zero energy pioneers on the el-hi frontier
Getting to net-zero is not easy, but the promise of eliminating energy bills and using state-of-the-art technology as a learning lab can make a compelling case to reach for net-zero.
| Sep 7, 2012
Healthcare architects get a preview of tomorrow’s medical landscape
The topic on everyone’s mind was how the Affordable Care Act would impact healthcare design and construction––and whether the law would even make it past the coming election cycle.
| Sep 7, 2012
Suffolk awarded One Channel Center project in Boston
Firm to manage $125 million, 525,000-sf office building project.
