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Studio

Practice & Approach
Team

Practice

We are an architectural design studio practicing in a broad array of project types and urban scales.

We have a deep interest in how buildings, places, and spaces shape our cities.

We provide intelligent and pragmatic solutions in a rapidly evolving industry and environment; with a critical and collaborative design process underpinned by nuanced experience in project management and extensive knowledge of building construction.

MFDS is committed to both process and product; we believe that approaching every problem with fresh, critical ways of thinking yield the best solutions.

Approach

We approach every project holistically, recognizing that a project is more than its design but rather the successful culmination and execution of incredible efforts from all parties involved.

We strive for a better and sustainable future, and seek to provide solutions large and small in purpose of that goal. Not every project is a home run in moving the needle of sustainable design and implementation, base hits are better than batting zero. Whether small steps or giant leaps, we work with clients and stakeholders to provide the most thoughtful built intervention within project constraints.

We look for smart and strategic moves and designs that provide maximum impact for minimal cost – every budget, every community, and every project is important.

Team

We are hands-on designers that lead and collaborate with other like-minded professionals, with a shared commitment to providing quality, sustainable, and beautiful projects and products.

Monte French

Founder & Principal

Alex Yoon

Project Manager

Tom Merchel

Senior Staff, Designer

Emily Driscoll

Designer

William Lee

Project Architect

Cameron Christopher

Designer I

Matthew Nguyen

Designer I

Sarah Keough

Office Manager

Shannon Rooney

Intern

Monte French

Founder & Principal
Monte has over 20 years of design and management experience on projects ranging from small adaptive reuse to international competitions. Through each project Monte focuses on exceeding client expectations, developing aesthetically purposeful designs, community-based interaction, and creating thoughtful building systems through critical thinking of each element. Monte has been a Boston area native throughout his 20 years of architectural engagement; and brings nuanced experience in tackling the challenges of executing projects in urban contexts and navigating the complexities of municipal and civic processes.

As part of his engagement in the city and its civic discourse, Monte has been a guest critic at the Boston Architectural College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Northeastern University. He was also a faculty member of the Boston Architectural College for over 7 years.

Monte holds a professional Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Boston Architectural College, served in the United States Navy, and has considerable hands-on construction experience.

When Monte isn’t working and thinking about your project, he enjoys spending time with his family and trying to eliminate the long list of construction projects at home…

Alex Yoon

Project Manager, CPHC
Alex is a project manager at MFDS. He earned his Master in Architecture I from Harvard University GSD and his BA in Architecture from the University of Florida, summa cum laude. Prior to joining MFDS, he was an Associate for six years at Peter Rose + Partners, where he was intimately involved in projects ranging from high-end residential to master plans.

Alex brings over a decade of hands-on design, documentation, and construction administration experience to MFDS - and as such provides a thoughtful, holistic approach to the visioning, implementation, and execution of projects. Whether iterating on potential massing with a client or drawing through a detail with staff, Alex views every task as part of a larger holistic whole - as an end product for the client and user, and as an intervention into the built environment.

Outside the office, he climbs at Brooklyn Boulders Somerville, practices kendo - a Japanese martial art, and enjoys a good beer while watching an NBA game.

Tom Merchel

Senior Staff, Architectural Designer
Tom enjoys blending architecture with innovative technologies to represent his design intent in a distinct and effective manner. He provides a strong background in BIM implementation/management, architectural visualization, virtual reality, large project collaboration, and of course architectural design.

Tom's passion for design was forged at the Boston Architectural College (BAC) where he earned his Professional Bachelor's Degree in Architecture. He was awarded a commendation for Comprehensive Resolution and Project Flexibility for his degree project. Tom stays connected to the college by reviewing students portfolios and participating in guest critiques. 

William Lee

Project Architect
With over a decade of experience in design and construction, William approaches each project from a multidisciplinary perspective. His educational background, having earned a BFA and M.Arch at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, contributes to the creative problem-solving skillset that is required on any successful project. He endeavors towards artistic and pragmatic solutions that are in service to a project’s owners, users, and the community at large.

Beyond architecture, William enjoys furniture making in his woodshop, mountain biking at the local trails, and hiking on the weekends with his family. 

Emily Driscoll

Designer
Bio coming soon!

Cameron Christopher

Designer
Bio coming soon!

Christopher Flass

Project Manager
Christopher Flass manages projects from conception through occupancy with a balanced and tactful approach to meeting project goals while navigating complexities both large and small. His experience across multiple sectors and typologies including public, private, institutional ,residential, and civic have developed a diverse skill set guiding various project directives while addressing budget, flexibility, quality, sustainability, contextual, and community driven issues. A belief in collaboration drives his design process, and results in a significant sense of shared ownership among the entirety of a project team.

Christopher received his Master in Architecture degree from the University of Virginia, and the Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida. Prior to joining MFDS, Christopher was an Associate Principal for Peter Rose + Partners as well as a Project Architect with William Rawn Associate Architects.

Sarah Keough

Office Manager
Sarah is the office manager at MFDS. A graduate of Salve Regina University, Sarah brings two decades of administrative experience in the educational and non-profit sectors to our team. She has held various responsibilities during that time, including bookkeeping, office organization, marketing, and event planning. Throughout her career, Sarah has also been a warm and welcoming presence for clients and visitors alike. A thoughtful problem-solver, she works to create organizational systems which work for everyone. Sarah prides herself on contributing courteous efficiency in service of the greater mission of any organization and brings that warmth and organization to MFDS.

Outside of the office, Sarah enjoys scrapbooking, spending time on the Cape, and cheering on her family at their various theatrical and sporting events.

Shannon Rooney

Intern
Bio coming soon!

Matthew Nguyen

Intern, Designer
Bio coming soon!

Chae Woo

Intern
Bio coming soon!

Joe Schmoe

Sales
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    650 Columbus Ave, Suite A
    Boston, MA 02118
    617-606-4496
    info@mfds-bos.com