We recently added two new team members, Jack Hilgren and Ronell John, to our AEL family as we continue growing to meet the increasing demand for our services. These strategic hires reflect our ongoing expansion and commitment to delivering thoughtful and enduring architectural solutions across Western Massachusetts and beyond. Jack and Ronell each bring a diverse range of experiences and talents that will further strengthen the firm’s capabilities and client service.

Jack Hilgren joined AEL full-time after completing a part-time role while finishing his master’s degree in architecture at The University of Massachusetts Amherst. He originally planned for a career in engineering, but shifted his focus to architecture in order to engage more directly in the creative process. In his role as a Designer, Jack supports our residential and commercial projects through design development and project management. His favorite project to date has been a full home renovation in Wilbraham, where he enjoyed guiding the design from concept through development. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, time with family and friends, and spending time with his two cats.

Ronell John also joined us in the role of Construction Documents Expert. Ronnell brings nearly two decades of professional experience in architectural drafting and design. He began his career as an AutoCAD technician and has since worked on a variety of project types. At AEL, he prepares and coordinates design and construction documentation, contributing to the technical excellence of the firm’s work. What drives him the most is the rewarding experience of seeing a design evolve from a concept on paper to a physical space that serves its users. Originally from Trinidad, he now lives in Wilbraham, Mass. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, relaxing, and savoring one of his favorite meals, Trinidadian Chicken Roti.

“We are thrilled to have Jack and Ronell join our team,” shares Kevin Rothschild-Shea, our company’s Owner and Principal Architect. “Each of them brings a unique perspective, energy, and skill set that strengthens our ability to serve clients and expand our creative potential.”

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Full Article Here +

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Cheers to 15 years! 

This year marked a special celebration – our 15th year in business! We know our continued success would not be possible without our clients, partners, and team. Thank you all for your confidence and support. 

2023 Highlights 

Looking back, we were proud to partner with Home City Development, and broke ground for the construction of Amethyst Brook Apartments in Pelham, a PHIUS Design Certified 34 unit affordable housing complex and Gemini Townhomes, 40 new townhomes that will answer the dream of home ownership in Springfield’s South End. Hilltown CDC’s Cester Commons accessibility improvements  and building rehabilitation also began construction, and the Cummings Residence is near completion with Phase II of their home master plan. Samuel Lu Dental moved into their new offices, Agawam Self Storage is near construction completion, and the design and funding continues for TCB’s Worcester Aurora Apartments. We had the pleasure to serve The City of Holyoke, Holyoke School Department, The Town of Ludlow, Pittsfield Housing Authority, Stanley Black & Decker, Positive Regard, Atlantic Capital, Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin P.C, Appleton Corporation, Carr Property Management, Lamcotec Inc., McKinstry Farms, Arment Trucking, the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, and Blackington Building to name a few. We’re excited to begin design work for Kozey Greene Wellness, Zoom Room, and Innovative Physician Services, LLC. AEL continues to partner with agencies such as the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee, Gandara Center, Western Mass ElderCare, the Five Town Chamber of Commerce, and Harwich Chamber of Commerce.  

We are strengthened by our team which includes: Johnson Structural Engineering, William Canon Landscape Architect, Berkshire Design Group, Roert W. Hall Consulting Engineers, BLW Engineering, Center for Technology, Building Evolution Group, Hal Cutler Code Consultant, and Epsilon Associates.

We thank our builders of all things, including Western Builders, Inc., Saloomey Construction, Inc., Keith Construction, Inc., Locklin Construction, River Shore Building Services LLC, Kelley Building Group, Westside Enterprises, Inc., Sweitzer Construction, and H & L Tassinari Builders, Inc.

Cummings Residence – so close to completion! 

Our team is thrilled to be putting the final touches on the Cummings Residence, a residential project in South Chatham, Massachusetts. With our expansion to Cape Cod we have been working hard to not just serve the community, but become a part of its fabric. That’s why nothing makes our team happier than receiving a note like this one: 

“Dreams really do come true. Thank you, Shoreline Pools and Kevin Rothschild-Shea, for giving us a master plan and of course, Kevin Casey, and Cranberry Landscaping, for pulling it all together as without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.” -Colette Cummings

Kevin Shares with Community Podcast

The East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) promotes an environment that fosters the economic growth of the towns of East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, and Wilbraham, MA, through the creation and expansion of businesses and jobs. 

Kevin Rothschild-Shea, our President and Principal Architect, was invited to join Grace Barone, Executive Director of the ERC5, on their podcast, Conversations with the ERC5, to discuss in depth the design process AEL goes through for each project. Check out the full episode here.

Groundbreaking of Gemini Townhomes

Many urban communities across the country, including Western Massachusetts, are dealing with a housing shortage and a lack of affordable housing. With Home City Development, AEL is changing that narrative for Springfield residents by contributing to the design and construction of 40 new townhomes. Gemini Townhomes, as they will be known, will be located in the South End of the city and utilize a 100,000-square-foot textile mill site which was destroyed twenty years ago by a fire. You can read the full article here.

Chester Commons

Accessibility improvements, which includes a new elevator, entry and egress stair, accessible apartment, HVAC, and fire sprinkler upgrades round out the moderate rehabilitation of the 15 unit former school in the village of Chester, MA. We’re fortunate to partner with Hilltown CDC, MBL development, Saloomey Construction, Robert W. Hall Consulting Engineers, Johnson Structural Engineering, and William Canon Landscape Architect.

Massachusetts Business Podcast

Our founder, Kevin Rothschild-Shea, started Architecture Environment Life, Inc. in 2008 after working for a local firm specializing in housing projects for eighteen years. He is currently licensed in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, North Carolina and South Carolina and holds memberships with the National Council of Architectural Registration Board and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Earlier in the year, Kevin joined the Massachusetts Business Network (MBN) on their podcast and shared what made AEL want to specialize in multifamily and affordable housing projects, along with what made him want to become an Architect. He also discussed some of the challenges of working on projects with extended lifespans, how the company started working in various sectors, advice for anyone looking to become an Architect, plus he shared about some of his favorite projects to date. Watch the full episode here. 

Pelham Affordable Housing

AEL was honored to participate in the groundbreaking for Amethyst Brook Apartments in Pelham, MA. This $22 million housing complex project is the first of its kind in Pelham, Massachusetts. Western Builders Inc. of Granby, MA, is getting construction underway and when completed (estimated date of early 2025) it will provide affordable housing for 34 families. Read more about this development here.

What is Next?

We look forward to expanding our work throughout Massachusetts, strengthening our community ties, and the commencement of some exciting new projects. We are excited to be a part of a greater community, focussed on the design, development, and construction of the world in which we live and work. Here’s to the next 365! 

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1. What does your job entail?
   My job entails a wide assortment of tasks. I’ve spent time archiving projects, setting up project files, cleaning up the office’s CAD standards, 2D rendering site plans, and 3D modeling.
2. What do you like most about your job?
    I like the variety everyday. Doing different things keeps it interesting and I like learning new things as well.
3.  Do you have a favorite project you’ve worked on during your time at Architecture EL, Inc.?
   I’ve been enjoying a small commercial project that is currently in its startup phases and for an outdoor wellness center. I’m excited to see and be a part of the whole process from start to finish, and I’m excited to learn about design connections between mental health and the outdoors.
4. What was the first job you ever had?
   My first job was working on Merrick farm. A small farm down the street from me that grows delicious corn.
5. What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
    I would work in landscape architecture, own/run a farm, or work within parks services if I weren’t in this field.
6. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
   Hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing are my favorite things to do outside of work.
7. How do you balance career and family life?
    I make sure I take off the time if needed to be with family. AEL is also flexible, so I work remote, when possible, to be home with them. I also make sure that when I am with my family, then I give them my full attention and silence emails/calls for that time.
8. What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?
   I have a pet lizard named Zero.
9. Where’s your favorite place in the world?
   The White Mountains are amazing, but Rome, Italy is probably my favorite because of its rich history.
10. What is your motto or personal mantra?
    Take a breath and take a moment.
11. If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
    Bob Ross because he always had the best advice and was very wise. He took care of himself and others, and I would want to hear about his thought process coming back from war and then starting his painting show.
12. Three words to best describe you:
    Hard working, Caring, Passionate
13. What is the one thing you can’t live without?
    I can’t live without the outdoors.
14. What tv show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love?
    Avatar the Last Airbender
15. If you could have any superpower what would it be?
    Flying so I could explore more and pay less.
16. What is one food that you cannot resist?
    My mom’s homemade lasagna
17. If you could do a different job for just one day, what would it be?
    I would be a wildfire technician working on controlled burns or suppressing wildfires.
18.  Tell us about your family.
    My family is big and crazy, but extremely caring. We love spending time with each other when we can, which is nice because we have our traditions, but we also love to try new things. Everyone is supporting each other when they can whether it’s during hard times or just during a simple sports game.

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Architects are constantly having to rethink how we build today but the construction industry is more exciting than it’s ever been before, and ArchEL’s commitment to navigating new obstacles, accepting new challenges, and achieving client satisfaction has remained the same. 

Our office continues to incorporate eco-friendly practices and we actively provide design solutions to our clients that incorporate sustainable practices. New construction materials like cork, bamboo, engineered wood, etc. that don’t endanger Mother Earth are a huge asset in designing environmentally-responsible communities and we’re always on the lookout for more. 

We’re continuously going beyond our daily project work to rethink our connection to the planet and the global impact of the built environment. There’s no better time than now to make small adjustments that can have a positive impact for our planet.

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We are a mid-sized Western MA architectural firm with year-upon-year growth serving the residential, commercial, institutional, and public housing markets. The position is salaried, full time with benefits and hybrid and in-office/remote working options.

The ideal candidate demonstrates the following skills and abilities:

• Ability to produce thorough Construction Documents, perform internal document reviews and
  quality control.
• Organized, contributes positively in a team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Experienced with multiple types of building projects in a variety of sectors.
• Expertise with renovation and new construction; wood frame, steel frame, and masonry.
• In-depth understanding of Zoning, MA Building Code, IEBC, IBC, IECC and 521 CMR.
• Proof of clean driving record, and valid driver’s license.

Please respond with cover letter & resume to admin@archlifeinc.com

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Cummings Project:

We have made a lot of progress on a residential project on Cape Cod this year, the Cummings property. Having a connection to the Cape is very important to us and we are glad to be able to continue building our bonds with the community on the Cape. We are well underway with the Cummings residential property and are grateful to be able to work with such wonderful clients, as well as for the kind words of happy customers: 

“Dreams really do come true. Thank you Shoreline Pools and Kevin Rothschild-Shea for giving us a master plan and of course Kevin Casey and Cranberry landscaping for pulling it all together as without you we wouldn’t be where we are today. Grateful for everyone who has helped get us this far.” 

-Colette Cummings

East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial:

Exciting progress has been made on the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial this year! The committee has applied for numerous grants, solicited donations from local businesses, run successful fundraisers, secured the entire plot of land in front of the East Longmeadow Senior Center, and received positive feedback through every step in the process. 

This star-shaped memorial will fly nine flags, while one of the black granite stones will feature the medallions of each branch of the service. Each granite stone will be beveled on top at a 45 degree angle and will have the names, written in gold, of those who sacrificed their lives. The committee has been fortunate enough to receive large corporate donations from sponsors like Big Y, Westfield Bank, and Monson Savings Bank. They secured $500,000 from the town of East Longmeadow and materials for the build including flags and flag poles, pavers, and an electric system to light the memorial. This memorial will be a beautiful, reflective place to honor East Longmeadow Veterans. 

New Hires, Marco and Rose:

We’re thrilled to have added two new members to our team in 2022: Marco Crescentini and Rose Geist! Each member plays a prominent role in every project we get our hands on and we’re grateful to have added Marco and Rose into the mix. 

Shortly after joining AEL, Marco jumped right into a large-scale project working on the design for 33 affordable homeownership townhouse apartments, to be built on the former Gemini Factory site in the South End of Springfield, MA. His position has continued to entail design, development, and coordination throughout his time at AEL. 

Likewise, Rose took on a variety of responsibilities shortly after joining the team. She is constantly communicating and collaborating with Project Managers, clients and co-workers. She brings a sense of curiosity to her work as she’s always looking to sharpen her skill set and dive into the nitty gritty of each project.

We’re happy to have both Marco and Rose as a part of the AEL family! 

Chester Commons Project: 

This year, fifteen projects across the Commonwealth were awarded subsidy funding by the Baker-Polito Administration. These projects were designed to create or restore 697 units of rental housing, 479 of which are designated for low-income households and 150 for extremely low-income individuals or those transitioning from homelessness. 

Chester Commons is a $63 million dollar affordable housing project, an occupied 15-unit rehabilitation project located in Chester’s town center. The sponsor for this project is the non-profit Hilltown Community Development Corporation. Subsidy funds are being provided to support the historic rehabilitation of Chester Commons, with an emphasis on accessibility for tenants with disabilities. 

You can read the full article on the Chester Commons from the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation here.  

Kevin appears on the Minimalist CEO, National Podcast:

AEL President, Kevin Rothschild-Shea,  joined Nat Lindquist on The Minimalist CEO Podcast to chat about how AEL went from a one-person shop to a team of eight people and seven-figures.

During the segment, Kevin shared insights on his architecture journey, including the turning point, his philosophy on being supportive of others, the desire to accomplish something, do it and don’t listen to naysayers, and the importance of family support.

You can check out the interview here.

We have placed an increased emphasis on historic preservation and sustainability in our designs and builds in 2022. Sustainability comes in many forms as innovations are introduced every day in the architecture world. We look forward to continuing efforts to drive towards environmentally-responsible communities and are excited to see efforts put forth by the architecture community in 2023 to design and build with the community’s best interest at heart. 

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Rose has taken on a variety of responsibilities since she started at AEL as she is constantly communicating and collaborating with Project Managers, clients and co-workers. She brings a sense of curiosity to her work as she’s always looking to sharpen her skill set and dive into the nitty gritty of each project. She likes to jump head first into the programs, projects we’re working on to understand start to finish and key stakeholders, etc. She’s an avid introspective learner for all things – you’ll probably catch her head in a book or studying something new on her lunch break. 

In her free time, Rose enjoys creating drawings, paintings, and writing excerpts. She’s become active in a few online communities for drawing and photography and admires the work of Conceptual artists. She also has a passion for driving and understanding cars; she’s no Engineer, but has taken on a few projects with her dad and brother. Rose is an extremely family-oriented individual and she shows that trait even with her AEL family. We’re happy to have Rose join our AEL family!

Each member of our team brings a different energy and skill set to our projects and we couldn’t be more grateful for their hard work and dedication.

Fun Fact About Rose:

In her household Rose has 6 pets – 2 are cats and 4 are snakes!

Rose’s personal Mantra:

Questions lead to answers – but answers are never forever.

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