A 150-year legacy, women-led leadership, and a 2025 top ranking keep one firm shaping the region’s future
BOSTON–In a city defined by architectural legacy and innovation, one firm has quietly—and continuously—helped shape the skyline for more than a century and a half. Meet Shepley Bulfinch, New England’s longest-operating architecture practice, founded in 1874 and still influencing the built environment today.
Ranked as the second-largest architectural firm in Boston by 2025 Massachusetts revenue, Shepley Bulfinch reported $41.3 million in in-state revenue and $58 million worldwide, with a team of 80 employees across Massachusetts. Yet numbers only tell part of the story.
What truly sets the firm apart is its ability to balance deep-rooted history with forward-thinking design.
From its earliest days, Shepley Bulfinch has played a pivotal role in shaping Boston’s architectural identity, particularly through complex institutional work spanning higher education, healthcare, and urban development. Rather than relying on repeatable design templates, the firm has built its reputation on tackling projects with unique constraints—where customization, not standardization, is key.
But its influence extends beyond buildings. For more than two decades, the firm has been women-led—an uncommon distinction in the architecture industry. Today, it is led by Angela Watson, FAIA, LEED AP, marking the firm’s second consecutive female CEO and reinforcing its role as a leader in the profession’s cultural evolution.
That blend of legacy and leadership is evident in its latest work.
Most recently, Shepley Bulfinch completed a comprehensive renovation of the historic Clapp Library at Wellesley College. The project is particularly meaningful for the firm: it originally designed the library in 1910 in the Beaux-Arts style, followed by Modern additions in 1956 and 1974.
The 2025–2026 renovation represents a full-circle moment—revisiting a century-old design while adapting it for today’s needs. The обновated library now aligns with the college’s strategic priorities around learning, scholarship, and sustainability, blending historic preservation with modern performance standards.
In many ways, that project encapsulates what Shepley Bulfinch does best: honoring the past while designing for the future.
As Boston continues to evolve, the firm’s longevity raises an intriguing question: what does it take to remain relevant for more than 150 years?
For Shepley Bulfinch, the answer appears to lie in constant reinvention—of design, leadership, and the very role architecture plays in shaping communities.
