Following our previous visit to DEMO Architects, we are moving our Meet Your Next Employer series to Massachusetts this week to explore the work of Charles Rose Architects.

From their studio in Somerville, the firm has built a wide-ranging portfolio spanning cultural, institutional, federal, and residential projects. The firm’s work has previously been among the most liked Instagram posts on our social media, while in 2023, the firm’s John W. Olver Transit Center was among the winners of the AIA COTE Top Ten Awards for sustainable architecture.

Over on Archinect Jobs, the firm is currently hiring for a Project Architect to join their Somerville team. For candidates interested in applying for a position or anybody interested in learning more about the firm’s output, we have rounded up four projects featuring timber elements by Charles Rose Architects that exemplify the firm’s ethos.

Leeper Studio Complex, Atlantic Center for the Arts. Image courtesy of Charles Rose ArchitectsLeeper Studio Complex, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL

The Leeper Studio Complex is an artists’ residency facility located within a protected ecological preserve along Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway. The complex comprises purpose-built studios for multiple disciplines, along with a theater, library, and dining hall. A series of pavilion structures is distributed throughout the landscape and connected by an elevated boardwalk that supports circulation and informal gathering. The buildings employ climate-responsive strategies, including controlled daylighting, rainwater management, and shading devices.

Learn more on the Leeper Studio Complex’s Archinect project page

Leeper Studio Complex, Atlantic Center for the Arts. Image courtesy of Charles Rose Architects

Leeper Studio Complex, Atlantic Center for the Arts. Image courtesy of Charles Rose Architects
Equipment Shed, San Juan Island, WA

Located in a natural clearing adjacent to a dense stand of fir trees on a farm overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Equipment Shed project adopts an L-shaped plan that responds to prevailing winds and provides shelter for an outdoor work area. A tall slatted wood fence extends the protective function. The structure references regional timber construction traditions while employing contemporary formal strategies, with cedar cladding used throughout the exterior. The shed’s massing and geometry create varied visual conditions as the building is approached and viewed from different angles, intended to create a relationship to the surrounding landscape and climate.

Learn more on the Equipment Shed’s Archinect project page

Equipment Shed. Image courtesy of Charles Rose Architects

Equipment Shed. Image courtesy of Charles Rose ArchitectsAquinnah House, Martha’s Vineyard, MA

Aquinnah House is a residential scheme composed of three discrete volumes arranged to support movement between private, shared, and guest spaces. The buildings are separated by framed passageways that function as circulation routes and visual connections to the surrounding landscape. Floor levels adjust to existing site contours, and window placements are calibrated to establish views and daylight access. The main house contains kitchen, dining, and living areas, while the master bedroom and guest quarters are housed in separate volumes.

Learn more on the Aquinnah House’s Archinect project page

Aquinnah House. Image courtesy of Charles Rose Architects

Aquinnah House. Image courtesy of Charles Rose ArchitectsPolly Hill Arboretum, Visitors Center, Martha’s Vineyard, MA

Located within a wooded nature preserve on Martha’s Vineyard, the Polly Hill Arboretum Visitors Center comprises two small buildings designed for public use. The structures are framed in Douglas fir and positioned to integrate with the surrounding landscape. The primary building functions as a gift shop and information center during daytime hours and can be reconfigured for lectures and presentations. Interior furnishings are movable to support multiple layouts. Large roof overhangs provide weather protection and shading, while awning windows enable natural ventilation.

Learn more on the Polly Hill Arboretum’s Archinect project page

Polly Hill Arboretum. Image courtesy of Charles Rose Architects

Polly Hill Arboretum. Image courtesy of Charles Rose Architects

Meet Your Next Employer is one of a number of ongoing weekly series showcasing the opportunities available on our industry-leading job board. Our Job Highlights series looks at intriguing and topical employment opportunities currently available on Archinect Jobs, while our weekly roundups curate job opportunities by location, career level, and job description.