BOSTON, CHARLOTTE, N.C. and DURHAM, N.C.—Global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will has appointed two new design directors and a U.S. Northeast regional practice leader for sports, recreation, and entertainment. All three leaders were elevated from within the firm:
Patrick Cunningham | Design Director, Boston
After two decades with Perkins&Will, Patrick Cunningham has been named design director of the firm’s Boston studio. Cunningham has worked across a range of practices and has led some of the studio’s most successful projects. His award-winning designs have been recognized for their elegance, attention to detail, and sense of purpose. When asked about his work, Cunningham says he considers the implications of the built environment beyond human populations, acknowledging design’s responsibility to protect natural habitats and ecological systems:
“Together, we’ll continue to advance Perkins&Will’s commitment to Living Design and craft spaces that resonate for our clients, their communities, and our shared ecosystem,” says Cunningham. “Each day, I find inspiration in the unique design ideas we’re collectively producing in the studio. As a creative fountain, we’re brimming.”
Cunningham actively shares his knowledge on sustainable design, lecturing on material health at Harvard’s School of Public Health, contributing to Commonwealth of Massachusetts discussions on zero-net-energy, and teaching at institutions like Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Roger Williams University, and the Boston Architectural College.
Cunningham’s portfolio includes bio-pharma high-rises, oceanographic research labs, educational buildings, and campus centers. His work demonstrates technical acumen and reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship, resilience, and regeneration. For example, Belmont Middle and High School in Massachusetts is designed to be the largest certified zero-net-energy school in the U.S., and Stoneham High School, also in Massachusetts, generates 110% of its energy demand on-site.
“I have every confidence that Patrick will continue to elevate our studio’s work,” says managing director Yanel de Angel. “He has a genuine love for finding design solutions that are as unique as our clients’ needs, and he does so through active listening and collaborative visioning. He is committed to building a design culture that enables healthy dialogues, resulting in work of great clarity, inclusivity, and thoughtful craft.”
Stephen Sefton | Design Director, North Carolina
Stephen Sefton, a longtime design leader in Perkins&Will’s Boston studio, has relocated to North Carolina to serve as design director for the firm’s Charlotte and Durham studios. In Sefton’s 11 years with Perkins&Will, he has led the U.S. Northeast regional sports, recreation, and entertainment practice, which he built from the ground up, and developed a portfolio of work that spans civic, higher education, K-12, and healthcare projects. In his new role, Sefton—who will be based in Durham—will ensure design excellence for clients, mentor the next generation of talent, and lead a thriving design culture within the practice.
“Stephen is an approachable, inclusive leader with a passion for cultivating talent and delivering high quality, award-winning design to clients across the country,” says managing director Laura Gwyn. “We are fortunate to have his leadership in our studios and welcome the unique perspective and rigor toward Living Design that he will bring to our work.”
Sefton’s design approach blurs typologies, resulting in hybrid projects that meet evolving needs on campuses and in cities. Recent work includes Northeastern University’s new Multipurpose Athletic Facility in Boston and George Mason University’s Basketball and Academic Performance Center in Washington, D.C., both of which include community, wellness, and academic support facilities. Sefton also led the design for Columbia University’s Philip and Cheryl Milstein Tennis Center in New York City, which was created to withstand the impacts of sea level rise.
“I’m a big believer in the storytelling power of architecture,” says Sefton. “Our work has the ability to represent community expression through the built environment. Each project offers a fresh opportunity to innovate and address needs on a very local and human scale, and I look forward to getting to know my new North Carolina neighbors.”
Jennifer Williams | Northeast Regional Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment Practice Leader
Jennifer Williams succeeds Stephen Sefton as Northeast regional practice leader for sports, recreation, and entertainment. Williams—both a licensed architect and interior designer—worked closely with Sefton for over a decade on professional and academic athletics, recreation, and wellness facilities.
“As a former collegiate athlete, I understand that individual health and well-being are crucial components of athletic performance and achievement,” says Williams. “Our practice strives to create environments that nurture the whole athlete, from training facilities to mental health and academic support spaces.”
Williams joined Perkins&Will in 2010 and has since contributed to several significant projects, from Northwestern University’s Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center in Evanston, Illinois, to the Philips Academy Andover Snyder Center in Andover, Massachusetts, to the Baylor Scott & White Health Sports Therapy & Research Complex in Dallas, Texas. Her portfolio includes not just built work, but also master planning and programming. Williams is also involved in Women Leaders in Sports, a national organization that advocates for and supports women across athletics professions.
“Our Northeast studios are in great hands with Jennifer leading the practice,” says Sefton. “Her depth of experience goes beyond our region; she has worked with universities and organizations across the country to adapt their facilities to an ever-evolving landscape, always putting the athlete at the center of the narrative.”
