Insights
At SNHA we harness our strength in diversity of projects, collective intelligence, and genuine curiosity to bring architectural solutions to life. We provide impactful design solutions that architecturally express the individual goals, values, and needs of our clients, creating a deep connection between people, information, ideas and resources and the built environment.
Our commercial, civic, institutional, and mission-critical designs embody performance driven, poetically crafted architecture.
Design for Independent Schools
Independent schools are a design category of their own. A departure from the mindset of public schools, independent schools exist in a competitive market and must define their particular niche and differentiators. Schools need to both define and communicate their distinct programs and educational philosophies to stand out. The educational environment is an expression of […]
Public Libraries Versus the Echo Chamber
By Don McKay, AIA, Principal, Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects The provocatively titled book Bowling Alone uses declining participation in bowling leagues to illustrate the erosion of in-person social intercourse in America. The author blames this development on technologies like television and the internet that make it easy to spend our leisure time alone. Since the […]
What Matters Most
As we are community-minded in our work, our passion for supporting people is evident in how we spend our free time as well. We asked some of our team members about how they champion the charities, foundations and organizations dear to them.
The Makerspace Movement
8 Reasons the Makerspace Movement is Here to Stay
In an age when smartphones are designed to dominate our attention, we risk depriving young minds of practical problem-solving opportunities. Future employment opportunities will require the application of STEM/STEAM principles to roles that have yet to be created. A culture shift focused less on camping in line for the latest technology, towards a self-empowered “I could do that” attitude is revolutionizing learning across the country.
Differentiated Learning
Differentiation is a useful concept across a wide range of scientific, technological and mathematical disciplines. Two forms of differentiation have gained recent cultural relevance—differentiated learning and differentiated experience. They emphasize individual differences as opposed to what we have in common. Differentiation is a common denominator between these two forms, but the values underlying them are distinct, even opposite of one another.
How Libraries Are Becoming More Relevant Than Ever
Our diverse and global portfolio has equipped us with an in-depth understanding of technological, cultural, and societal change. With this knowledge, we create architecture that supports and empowers libraries to continue to be epicenters for lifelong learning both today and in the future. Here’s how we think libraries are becoming more relevant than ever. Empower […]
A Place in the World: Towards Inclusion
By Donald McKay, Principal, Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects Finding a place in the world is fundamental to our human condition. Our earliest experiences are familial, finding a place relative to our siblings and parents. School and work expand our world and the challenges of finding our place in it. When we have children, we become concerned […]