PERSPECTIVES
We're thrilled to welcome Leena Kent to the RODE Architects team as our new Senior Marketing Manager! Leena has over a decade of experience in the AEC industry, along with an extensive background in graphic design and photography. She immersed herself into the industry through SMPS Boston, as a committee member, before leading as the Program Chair and ultimately the Director of Programs. She’s worked with local and national general contractors as well as consultants.
Her unique blend of creative and strategic expertise will be invaluable as we continue to elevate our brand and communicate the RODE story. We're excited to see the innovative ideas and fresh perspective Leena will bring to our marketing efforts.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, twin girls, and goldendoodle while exploring the great outdoors.
We are proud to announce the promotion of three team members as the firm continues to invest in its leadership and talent development. Jonathan Quinn has been elevated to Senior Associate, while Anna Arnot and Zack Kutchin have been named as Associates.
Quinn is being recognized for his leadership in firm operations, as well as his dedication to delivering high-quality work across a wide range of project types, including multi-family renovations, lab campus amenities, and industrial logistics facilities. Arnot and Kutchin have demonstrated strength in their project work, the ability to cultivate strong client relationships, and leadership within the studio.
“At RODE, we believe in creating pathways for our team members to grow and advance through mentorship and a shared commitment to design excellence,” said Kevin Deabler, principal and co-founder of RODE. “Jonathan, Anna, and Zack exemplify that approach, and their promotions reflect both their impact and the value we place on developing the next generation of firm leadership.”
Jonathan Quinn is a LEED Accredited Professional and Registered Architect in Massachusetts with over 20 years of experience across a wide range of project types, including athletic and industrial facilities. He is involved in all phases of design and construction, with a focus on translating client goals into thoughtful, effective solutions. Jonathan holds a Master of Architecture from Roger Williams University. He has worked on projects at RODE such as Chelsea Point and Freight Farms.
Anna Arnot joined RODE as an Architect in 2018. Before relocating to Boston, she spent a decade living, working, and studying in Washington, D.C., where she earned both a Master of Architecture and a Master of Sustainable Design from Catholic University. Anna is passionate about guiding clients through the early stages of design, with a particular focus on aligning programmatic needs with strong conceptual approaches and passive design strategies. Her project experience at RODE includes Fieldhouse+, Vesper Hotel, and Kendall Square Dining Hall.
Zack Kutchin brings experience across multi-family housing, adaptive reuse, industrial, and hospitality. At RODE for eight years, he leads projects from concept to construction, balancing design, function, and sustainability. Known for creative, precise solutions, his work with RODE includes 282 Bremen, Lebanon Woolen Mills, and projects with New England Development. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Arizona.
“We’re proud to recognize these three team members for the impact they’ve made on RODE,” said Eric Robinson, principal and co-founder of RODE. “Their growth reflects the direction of the firm and the strength of our next generation of leaders. We’re excited to see them expand their roles, bring fresh perspective, and help shape RODE’s future.”
A long term collaboration between the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester, the Martin Richard Foundation and the City of Boston, The Fieldhouse+ groundbreaking celebrated an exciting milestone in the project's path to completion!
The ceremony was attended by over 200 people, with state and city officials joining Bill Richard, the co-founder of the Martin Richard Foundation and Bob Scannell, the president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester (BGCD). The Fieldhouse+, set to be completed in 2026, will provide the children of Boston with not only an indoor turf field for year-round intramural sports, but also a whole host of learning and gathering spaces. The 75,000+ square feet of community-oriented space will serve the 50,000+ young people who live within three miles of its Columbia Point location with facilities and amenities not limited to indoor courts, a turf field, walking track, teaching kitchen, roof garden, theatre, fitness center, conference rooms and more.
A project seven years in the making, The Fieldhouse's design centers on the concept of intersectionality and aims to create a beacon for the community. A lighted core serves as the grounding point for the two large volumes that make up the building, uniting the athletic and educational facilities. Simple, but durable industrial materials work together in creating a welcoming, accessible environment for young people to learn, grow and create community with each other for years to come.
Beyond providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, the Fieldhouse+ design paid close attention to its impacts on the environment, designing around enhanced sustainability and resiliency measures. The all-electric project meets LEED Gold standards and aims to be a Net Zero Carbon facility. The Fieldhouse not only will ensure climate resiliency and a safe place for the community during extreme weather events, but also serve as a learning tool for visitors to see these design elements in action.
Learn more about RODE's approach to designing the BGCD Fieldhouse+ here!
RODE, Pine Street Inn, and The Community Builders are proud to unveil The Lyndia - Boston's largest supportive housing community.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, state and city officials, and other public and private partners celebrated the building’s opening with tenants and community members. The building, located at 3368 Washington St., is named in honor of Lyndia Downie, who has dedicated her entire 40-year career to ending homelessness, including the last 25 years as president and executive director of Pine Street.
The design presents a dynamic, stepped facade onto Washington Street in Jamaica Plain, and delivers over 200 units of supportive and affordable housing. Given the opportunity to instill transformative change in the communities that need it the most, it was of utmost importance that the design create a sense of home and place for the residents, with market rate finishes, amenities and thoughtfulness.
RODE's Brucewood Homes project has been honored with the prestigious Planet Positive Award for Single-Family Home by Metropolis magazine. The Planet Positive Awards recognize excellence in sustainable, healthy, just design at every scale in the built environment.
Brucewood Homes, the first internationally certified Passive House single-family homes in the City of Boston, is a series of three single-family residences perched on a rocky outcropping in a quiet residential neighborhood. The Homes’ simple, contemporary design celebrates their sustainable aspirations: large windows and warm materials connect the occupants to nature, daylight, and well-being; an efficient building form minimizes disturbance of the site; and high-efficiency mechanical systems ensure a low-carbon footprint. The project exemplifies RODE Architects’ commitment to integrating sustainability with great design, setting a high standard for energy efficiency and resiliency in residential construction to create healthy, durable living spaces.
“We are incredibly proud to receive the Planet Positive Award for Brucewood Homes,” said Kevin Deabler, principal and co-founder of RODE. “This project represents our dedication to building sustainably. We believed that high-performance, healthy, and comfortable homes like Brucewood are in demand and this was proven true through the experience of our client and these homeowners. It’s an honor to be recognized by Metropolis alongside all of this year’s worthy award winners.”
