News:
Construction Design & Engineering
Posted: May 19, 2017
In remembrance of William L. Maini
Cambridge, MA With appreciation for his achievements and sadness on his loss, we share the news of the passing of Bill Maini, a founding partner and former president and chief executive officer of SMMA. Together with Parker Symmes, Bill founded Vappi Symmes and Maini in 1955, at 240 Sidney St. in Cambridge. When architect Jon McKee joined the young firm three years later, they changed the name to Symmes Maini & McKee Architects and Engineers.
“Bill excelled at running projects and finding work,” Parker Symmes recalled in a recent conversation about the firm’s early days. Bill’s legendary relationship and management skills established the foundation for SMMA’s significant growth during his three decades at its helm. His devotion to client service, and to meeting the various design needs of clients, placed the firm at the forefront of integrated project delivery—a legacy that continues today.
“Our firm was fortunate to have had Bill establish a roadmap for its success,” said Ara Krafian, SMMA president and CEO. “He instilled the importance of stability, the value of relationships, the meaning of responsible leadership—and he always appreciated talent. He will be deeply missed.”
An engineering graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, class of 1951, Bill later served as a director of the Institute’s Alumni Association. He was an active member of the Massachusetts Building Congress, and was elected as its president in 1971. Following his retirement from SMMA, Bill lived in East Falmouth, and devoted time to many volunteer and philanthropic pursuits, including the Cape Cod Symphony.
MORE FROM Construction Design & Engineering
Project of the Month: Onyx Partners’ Springfield Crossing transforms former Eastfield Mall into Western Mass.’ premier retail destination
Springfield, MA The redevelopment of the former Eastfield Mall into Springfield Crossing has transformed a long-vacant enclosed mall into a new 360,000 s/f regional power center, one of the largest retail redevelopments completed in Western Massachusetts in recent years.
Columns and Thought Leadership
It’s time to lead: Confronting mental health in construction - by David Watts
As we close Mental Health Awareness Month, we must be clear: May isn’t just about ribbons, hashtags, or lunchtime mindfulness apps. It’s about responsibility to confront hard truths that linger in silence, and to challenge ourselves, as leaders in our industry, to do more.
Greenwood Credit Union City Hall Plaza nears completion - by Frank Picozzi
After several years of planning, construction, and anticipation, the community is eagerly awaiting the opening of the Greenwood Credit Union City Hall Plaza and outdoor skating rink later this month.
ABC-Mass. chairman’s message: Rent control isn’t the answer to our housing crisis - by Luiza Mills
As you may know, Massachusetts voters will be weighing in on a number of ballot initiatives in November. Among them is a proposal to impose the nation’s strictest statewide rent control policy. I’d like to tell you why the ABC MA Board
Navigating tariffs and material uncertainty in today’s construction market - by Karl Ginand and Tiffany Gallo
As headlines around tariffs seem to dominate the news daily, many considering construction projects have anticipated major cost escalations and widespread supply issues. While tariffs haven’t driven pricing spikes to the extent once feared, the lasting impact has been a new layer of uncertainty, affecting more than just budgets.
