Thomas RC Hartman, FAIA
Architect, Partner
Tom moved to Amherst from Boston in 1999 to join Bruce Coldham in a practice that focused exclusively on the creation of high performance, environmentally intelligent buildings and communities.
Tom specializes in construction trailer etiquette and making things happen, and is most often responsible for the preparation of contracts, schedules, construction documentation and site observation. Throughout his career, working on site directly with the trades has been a particularly gratifying facet of his architectural practice. Tom takes pleasure in the human aspect of a project, and always aims to find opportunities for humor while ensuring that tasks are completed to the highest standard.
Prior to C&H, Tom had worked at DiMella Shaffer Associates in Boston for several years as a job captain. During that time he had the opportunity to work on a large assisted living project in Stamford, CT from documentation through construction completion. He also worked closely with the firm principals on the early stages of a diverse slate of projects. Tom was responsible for structuring and maintaining the office drawing standards and worked with teams to design drawing sets and CAD systems for each project.
After graduating from USC in 1995, Tom took a position with Cummings Properties in Woburn, MA. There he instituted a computer drawing system to facilitate the documentation of an old shoe factory being renovated for commercial tenants in Beverly, MA, which is now know as Cummings Center. The experience of working for a large owner/developer broadened Tom’s understanding of the business aspects of architecture and development.
During his college years, Tom worked for Richard Keating at DMJM / Keating in Los Angeles as a staff model builder on projects sited throughout the world. He also worked as a consultant to the law firm Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges, preparing construction analysis with an engineer for litigation of a subway construction project. Tom began by building a physical model for courtroom presentation, but decided that the relatively nascent art of 3d building modeling would better serve his purpose. This was the beginning of a career-long practice of seeking out and employing the best tools available to communicate design to clients.
Tom was raised primarily in Mystic, CT. His father was a submarine captain and his mother co-owned a residential construction company where Tom worked as a laborer and carpenter during summers.