2026 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Sam Maloney, Studio G Architects

“Sam stands out as a truly collaborative and caring leader who fosters creativity and brings others meaningfully into the design process. Whether collaborating with colleagues or engaging with the broader public, he is committed to ensuring every project thoughtfully balances social, environmental, and cultural priorities, making the community he’s working in a better place.”

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of? The project I am most proud of is Franklin Cummings Tech (FC Tech) in Boston’s Nubian Sq. Serving predominantly minority and first-generation students, FC Tech advances economic mobility through technical education. I am proud to have worked across design disciplines to create a flexible, sustainable, and socially engaging building. At the recent opening, students and community members praised how it supports professional readiness, connection, and engagement, demonstrating how thoughtful design today can create opportunities and a lasting impact for generations to come.

What trends or opportunities do you see shaping the future of your industry? Communities across New England face two existential crises: a lack of affordable housing and the impacts of the climate crisis. To meet these compounding challenges, regenerative design-thinking has emerged as an approach to solving complex problems in the built environment. Buildings must catalyze opportunities for people across generations, with opportunities for both buildings and their occupants to contribute productively to the community, economy, and ecosystem. Through a more holistic lens, we can exceed sustainability and regenerate both the environment and our affordable housing stock.