About Justin
Justin is a licensed architect whose dedication to the craft of architecture and lifelong passion for restaurants has led him to develop an expertise in Restaurants Design.
Since graduating from the University of Miami’s School of Architecture in 2001, Justin has constantly worked to expand his experience and knowledge across many market sectors, construction types, and jurisdictions. In 2010 he first had the opportunity to work on restaurant design and he found his niche working with chefs and restaurateurs to assist them in developing their restaurants. His restaurant experience ranges from chef-driven concepts to quick-serve, existing brands to new concepts.
His methodical approach to restaurant design begins before his mechanical pencil hits the sketch paper. Justin approaches design not by following his personal likes but by listening and understanding the client’s vision and developing that into a brand experience that is integrated into the physical space design of the restaurant.
Though he enjoys supporting restaurants all across the country, he is especially active with the local Boston/Cambridge restaurant community. Justin can often be seen at events hosted by local chefs, the MRA, and fundraisers to support food-based charities including No Kid Hungry and Lovin’ Spoonful. Justin is also continually active in supporting restaurants’ brand awareness with his presence on social media where he advocates for others to #SupportLocalRestaurants & #SupportSmallBusiness.
Outside of work, Justin spends time with his wife Lindsay, son Devin, and extended family. He is an avid fan of Boston sports, enjoys concerts, movies, and traveling. His passion for local restaurants overlaps the lines of his work and personal life with his desire to experience the many incredible restaurants and meeting the chefs and staff.
ABOUT 42 ARCHITECTURE
EDUCATE
We understand chefs and restaurateurs may not understand everything about the design and construction industry. Even before we are hired, we take the time to explain the architectural process, work letters in lease agreements, utility systems, egress codes and accessibility laws, and anything else we feel will help put them in a better position to make decisions to put themselves in the best position to succeed.
LISTEN
Designing a restaurant doesn’t start with a blank canvas. Long before an architect is even approached, the owner/chef has an idea. A vision. Sometimes they can just close their eyes and see it. For some, it may just be a wallpaper and light fixture they saw on Pinterest. And others, it could just be a lucid metaphorical thought. It is our job to listen, extract the essence of why they like it and then bring that design to life. We listen to understand how your restaurant will operate and flow, both FOH & BOH.
COLLABORATE
Design is a collaborative process, especially with restaurants. Owner, chef, staff, equipment vendors, branding and graphic design, decorators, investors, the community, engineers, landlord, even other architects and designers.
CREATE
Architecture is the balancing of technical details, structure, code compliance and engineering with aesthetics, scale, proportions, beauty, passion, and personality. We approach every project with this in mind, blending these two opposing principles to come together into a harmonious concept.
EAT
We are customers too. We love food. We love restaurants. We love hospitality. We love the restaurant experience. And did we mention we love food!