Ted Cutler, Tecton Architects

What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2016?

Tecton’s strength has long been in our diverse portfolio of work, and as such we look at the accomplishments of our firm as a culmination of the individual victories of our project teams. While we’re immensely proud of our 37-year history in Hartford, this range of expertise and experience has prompted broader opportunities for the firm throughout New England, with work outside of Connecticut crossing 50% of our total business for the first time ever in 2016.

What was your most notable project, deal, or transaction in 2016?

Tecton has been working with the State of Connecticut for several years on the consolidation of services at a single location at 450 Columbus Blvd. in downtown Hartford. This effort creates a central home for state employees and the public alike, and totals more than 2,200 state employees, across seven agencies, within 500,000 s/f. Project success has depended on our ability to influence a changing mindset across user groups, to re-evaluate how they think, work and collaborate. This undertaking is in its final stages, with the last of the state agencies set to move in by early 2017.

What are your predictions for commercial real estate in 2017?

While there’s substantial uncertainty on a political, global and economic level, we’re seeing three key trends that will affect the commercial real estate market in 2017: 1) expanding foreign investment in local industry; 2) a return to urbanization that’s influencing physical, social and economic considerations; and 3) an increase in organizations revisiting and reimagining their existing resources, leases and spaces. These trends are driving a more collaborative real estate climate, bringing together clients, brokers, designers and communities for a truly comprehensive approach to project development.