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Profile

Oct 15, 2024

David Nagahiro, AIA

Nagahiro 3003 2 bw cropped

David Nagahiro, AIA.

Photo credit to CBT Architects, courtesy of Hauseman, LLC.

Principal and CEO, CBT Architects

Professional or personal website

www.cbtarchitects.com

Degree(s)

Bachelor of Architecture from Washington State University

Architectural Studies Program at the AA / Architectural Association School of Architecture, London

Professional interests

Equity, Climate, Sustainability, Design Technology

BSA involvement

NAIA / Young Architects Award, 1999

Rotch Traveling Scholar, 1992

People volunteer for various reasons; if you have volunteered with the BSA in some capacity, what did your volunteer path look like, and what motivated you to become involved?

I am very proud to be a longtime BSA member and have been active in various ways with the organization. In fact, I most recently actively participated in both the BSA Roundtable discussion on “Expanding Access to BIPOC Architects,” led by Greg Minott, Managing Principal of DREAM Collaborative (and past President of the BSA); the Commonwealth Development Compact/The Equitable Development Partnership, sponsored by the BSA; the Civic Action Project (CAP); and the Builders of Color Coalition (BCC) leading to “a policy that municipalities can adopt to ensure greater equity throughout the entire development process, whether public or private.”

Have you won any award(s) from the BSA or another establishment that you are particularly proud of? What elements from that project would you like to see shape the future of the profession?

I received the NAIA/ Young Architects Award in 1999 (it seems like so long ago!), and now I am proud to have written letters of reference for Sae Kim from CBT and Darguin Fortuna of Flow Design, who were both awarded the NAIA/Young Architects Award for 2024. I encourage young designers to reflect on their evolving work through the lens of how mentorship, societal impact, and truly holistic design can shape our collective future. As designers, we have such an important responsibility, and it can be tremendously empowering and important to shape that path from an early career stage in this profession.

In 1992 I was fortunate to win the Rotch Travelling Scholarship; a design competition that awards a $40,000 traveling scholarship. For a young architect, competitions are the playground to experiment with design and develop ones design rigor and ethic.

My wife Ivy and I traveled for nearly a year through Asia and Europe on an architectural pilgrimage….and honeymoon! My travels focused on the celebrated successes and failures of modern architecture in historic settings. This was a life-changing experience, being exposed to amazing cultures, deep history, severe climates, breathtaking landscapes, socioeconomic/political circumstances, and delicious delicacies—far exceeding my narrow search for architectural answers.

David and his wife Ivy in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India while he traveled as Rotch Scholar in 1993.

What does equity mean to you?

I was raised in a third-generation American-Japanese family and was encouraged to assimilate. My parents taught me to always listen first, fit in, and not make waves. As a child, I lived in communities where I was often the only Asian in my school, and, naïvely, I didn’t think much of the color of my skin.

As a minority, I thought I knew what equity meant, but after unconscious bias training and a profound realization — and maybe honest ignorance on my part — I am truly beginning to understand bias, unconscious bias, and racism. I work to be part of the change that we all hope to see in all of these challenges we face as a society.

What are some changes that you have implemented in your firm (or for yourself) to address issues of equity in your profession?

I’m really proud of the equity work we’ve done at CBT over the years, both through grassroots and formal programs. These have been passion projects for me, and they help us take action on one of our core values. Even more so lately, I have been energized and encouraged to lean into our values in the face of so much current backlash and cancellation of ESG values.

We have a solid CBT EDI group focused on education, policy, and outreach. This group came to life years ago when we decided we needed to be educated and continue to enhance our firm-wide training. We also have an incredibly motivated and innovative WiD/Women in Design group that celebrates the impact of our women designers through exhibits, public and industry talks, and interactive tools that call attention to decades of missed opportunities for women in the profession. It doesn’t hurt that the CBT staff is 52 percent women, and we are actively working toward parity in leadership positions.

CBT Proud, the LBGTQ+ inclusion and advocacy group, is active and is helping other firms start their own LGBTQ+ groups; the group was recognized this year with the Boston Business Journal’s LGBT Corporate Ally Award. CBT Proud has also helped launch Out In Design, a regular meet-up for the LGBTQ+ community and allies in the design industry here in Boston. Our CBT Cares, firm-wide volunteer initiative is focused on supporting and donating time and energy to various nonprofits committed to changing Boston with their time, talent, and service.

Nagahiro 121 Seaport

121 Seaport: This elliptical tower broke the aesthetic mold in Boston’s Seaport while reducing energy use, façade materials, and structural materials thanks to its design. It is LEED-Platinum certified and a multi-award-winning project. Photo © Bruce T Martin Photography

Who or what deserves credit for your success?

I’ve been fortunate to be exposed to a broad group of people that have influenced my success. That circle of influence includes a number of enlightened thinkers, amazing mentors, thoughtful educators, close-knit family and friends, and wonderfully talented colleagues. All these people have been generous with their time and energy.

My parents were my greatest influence; they led by example and were willing to do what they asked of others. These lessons have shaped my drive, empathy, and optimistic outlook.

As a result — at least professionally — I’ve developed an attitude, principles and mindset that have contributed to my success as part of a leadership team comprised of a strong group of people who value design quality, culture, and each other.

I’ve had this great experience of being at CBT Architects for 38 years (crazy!), and staying at one firm for so long is unusual. I have lived vicariously through my friends and colleagues who have worked in multiple firms, but I have been fortunate that CBT has given me the opportunities to continue to learn and grow, and I have tried to take full advantage of that**. Our firm has a very entrepreneurial spirit and outlook that inspires me every day, and the firm’s energy continues to feed my passions today.**

When I first came to Boston, I had a list of a dozen firms that I highly admired and sought to work with, but today, many of those firms no longer exist, were sold, or are shells of their original influence. It’s hard to lead a firm that is 50+ years old, yet to stay relevant, and stay on top of our game. Because of this challenge, we continuously question what we’re doing, constantly experiment, and encourage collaborations and strategic alliances to address the forces that shape our world.

Nagahiro 10 Farnsworth

The lovingly designed 10 Farnsworth project in Fort Point garnered a Boston Preservation Alliance award for its “harmony with the built environment” despite being new construction, and also earned Honor Awards from the BSA and AIA New England. Photo © Chuck Choi Architectural Photography

What do you believe is the most significant enabler of great work?

An enlightened, open-minded team.

What is the most effective step you’ve taken in your work toward a more sustainable built environment?

Much like the equity discussion, climate, sustainability, and resiliency are forces we all face. Although we are making great strides in addressing these forces at a firm-wide level, we know we need help.

We are actively participating in two organizations and are poised to collaborate and create SOLUTIONS around climate issues. First, we’ve committed $250,000 to the BSA Equity and Climate Innovation Pilot.

Second, we are also a founding sponsor and active contributor to the Climate Beacon Conference initiated by the CB Executive Director, Alex Richman.

In a shameless plug, the BSA will host the 2nd Annual Climate Beacon Conference in their space this October 16-18, 2024!

Nagahiro Sudbury

The Sudbury was the first building in Bulfinch Crossing to be completed as part of the replacement of the monolithic Government Center Garage. Photo © Jack Vatcher Photography LLC

What is the greatest potential for architecture to shape a neighborhood community?

Good architecture begins with a good public process; listening, learning, and understanding the neighborhood's priorities and values. Impacting communities is not only about the community settling for “benefits,” but also our finding those design elements that closely align with the community’s desires... architecture that aims to drive positive change, and encourage social equity. Hopefully, when the dust settles, our architecture will be a positive addition to the communities it has shaped.

What would you like to see change about Boston’s built environment?

I am on the Boston Preservation Alliance Board, and I deeply value our historic resources. I moved to Boston because of its “history and permanence,” but perhaps ironically, I am an unapologetic modernist. I believe old and new can and should coexist. Some of the greatest cities in the world that have shaped our history continue to invent their urban fabric through adaptive reuse and new architecture to benefit enlightened evolution and activation.

Nagahiro Hub Week

HubWeek was master-planned by CBT from 2015 to 2019 as Boston’s flagship annual festival for innovation at the intersection of art, science, and technology. Above “The Hub” on City Hall Plaza in 2018.

Photo © Robert Benson Photography

What do you think the BSA can do for our industry/community?

I believe the BSA can help rally and convene architects, advocate for architects' needs, and continue to raise broad awareness of the important forces that shape our world.

If you could give the you of 10/20 years ago advice, what would it be?

Take risks, work with people who share your values, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and act on your curiosity.

Nagahiro Suffolk Downs

The 161-acre Suffolk Downs master plan by CBT is the largest approved development project in the city’s history. It is designed to withstand rising seas in the face of our ever-changing global climate.

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