BOSTON—It is with deep sadness that Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype announces the passing of its beloved co-founder, Carolyn Hendrie Bargmann, AIA. Carolyn died peacefully on August 10, 2025, surrounded by her husband, daughters, and close family members.
A trailblazing architect, Carolyn co-founded the Boston-based firm in 1987 with her husband, Joel Bargmann. Over nearly four decades, the two cultivated a practice known for its creative excellence, collaborative ethos, and lasting contributions to the built environment.
Carolyn’s legacy is particularly profound in the design of corporate headquarters and office environments. Her work redefined how people experience and interact in professional spaces—designing over 12 million square feet of office interiors for major clients in financial services, law, entertainment, and tech across the country. Her acclaimed projects, including headquarters for Bain Capital and Goodwin Procter in downtown Boston, showcased her ability to blend movement, collaboration, and design with elegance and intention.
She was a recipient of multiple AIA and industry awards, but beyond the accolades, Carolyn stood out for the spirit she brought to her work and to those around her. Known for her bold vision, magnetic presence, quick wit, and unmistakable laugh, she enriched every room she entered—personally and professionally.
Carolyn is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Joel Bargmann; daughters Jane Bargmann (Nate Akers), Sarah Fay (Jake), and Leslie Brunnick (Mason); four beloved grandchildren; and her sisters Ann (“Funny”), Ellie, Laura, and Jane Hendrie.
A celebration of Carolyn’s life will take place on October 18, 2025, at the deCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Codman Community Farms, a place dear to Carolyn’s heart near her Lincoln home.
Carolyn Hendrie Bargmann’s legacy lives on in the buildings she shaped and the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed.
