2025 Year in Review: Joel Richardson, P.E., H2M architects + engineers

What accomplishment, milestone, project or transaction stood out for you or your firm in 2025?

We’re providing the architecture and engineering for Concern for Independent Living’s adaptive reuse of religious school buildings in Brentwood, NY, into 175 units of supportive residential housing. It’s a privilege to be able to support underserved communities through our work with committed nonprofits like Concern. The project is a major collaboration that’s brought together nearly every discipline under our roof, and it serves as a sterling example of how adaptive reuse allows us to support the development of much-needed housing in places with limited space such as Long Island.

What emerging trends or shifts will shape opportunities for you, your firm, or market sector in 2026?

The last five years have seen developers place projects on hold due to financial headwinds resulting from high interest rates and supply chain volatility, among other factors. However, as interest rates improve amidst a revived appetite for new projects, we anticipate sustained momentum in CRE investment in 2026 and beyond, particularly in housing. An alignment between state/local government and the demands of the market make diverse housing — with continued investment in mixed-use and transit-oriented development around the New York metropolitan area — a necessary pursuit for the CRE industry.