MHS Architecture’s Bruce Stieve (left) and Dean Marchetto were among those on hand May 9 to welcome students from Jefferson Township High School for a discussion on the design field and a tour of completed development projects in Hoboken. — All photos courtesy: MHS
By Joshua Burd
MHS Architecture recently opened its doors to the next generation, welcoming some two dozen students to its Hoboken office for an in-depth look at the profession and the role of design in real estate development.
The aspiring architects, who hailed from Jefferson Township High School, were on hand for the May 9 visit alongside architecture teacher Jason Nicholas, a former MHS intern. Firm principals Dean Marchetto and Bruce Stieve led the discussion, detailing the inner workings of the practice and providing a tour of their workspaces and of completed development projects in the immediate vicinity.
“This opportunity for our students to engage directly with professionals at MHS Architecture is invaluable,” said Nicholas, who teaches JTHS’ architecture and CAD classes. “It not only complements their curriculum but also inspires them by experiencing the practical applications of what they learn in class.”
SLIDESHOW: Students visit MHS Architecture
MHS said the visit included a comprehensive overview of the architectural design process, from initial client consultation to the development of construction documents, offering students a clear view of the project lifecycle in a real-world context. One key takeaway came from Marchetto, who noted that architects can take different paths by focusing on the creative, technical or business side of the profession.
Students also witnessed the integration of technology in architectural design, thanks to a demonstration by Stieve, observing how MHS Architecture employs Revit, 3D modeling and printing and other innovative tools to illustrate their projects, according to a news release. The veteran architect also led the tour outside the office, where the visitors saw several completed buildings that were designed by the firm, allowing them to appreciate tangible outcomes of the process and of its completed placemaking projects.
“We are thrilled to open our doors to the future architects from Jefferson Township High School,” said Marchetto, founding principal of MHS Architecture. “It’s an honor to contribute to their educational journey and perhaps ignite a passion for architectural innovation among them.”
The firm added that Jefferson Township High School’s video team also participated and will be crafting a story based on the day’s events.
Following the tour, the students and professionals convened in one of MHS Architecture’s conference rooms for engaging Q&A sessions, accompanied by pizza, the news release said. The firm then gave each student a gift bag as a token of appreciation for their participation and enthusiasm.
