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Before closing the chapter on 2025, we wanted to reflect on the many achievements and wins from this past year. From landing exciting new projects, wrapping up some equally inspiring ones, and finding creative ways to stay connected as a team, 2025 truly kept us on our toes.
Thank you to our incredible clients and team members for an amazing year. We’re excited to see what we can achieve together in 2026!
Check out this year’s holiday video!
Do you ever notice a shift in your mood when you enter a room? According to Clarus’s 2025 presentation Color Theory & Mental Health, the colors present in a space can subconsciously influence our behavior and emotions. As an interior designer, I strive to find creative ways to incorporate colors, textures, lighting, and other elements to create ideal spaces and environments where people can engage and work efficiently.
Selecting the appropriate colors for a given space is critical as you want the feeling of the space to match the function.
When designing a space, whether an office renovation, medical office space, or a building lobby upgrade, it’s essential to strategize the concept and determine the purpose and feelings these spaces should serve. Some examples of how we utilize colors include:
Neutral colors can help create a sense of home, positively influencing serotonin levels, enhancing feelings of contentment, and fostering authentic interactions. Upgraded building amenity spaces can incorporate these colors to help users feel at ease, as if they are casually working from their own living room. The careful selection of colors can aid in relaxation and encourage more comfortable interactions among users.
Blue has been shown to reduce anxiety by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure. Additionally, blue can aid in problem-solving and enhance alertness. This concept can be beneficial when designing workplace conference rooms, huddle spaces, and meeting areas.
Green can help lower blood pressure and heart rate while fostering greater engagement among individuals, leading to improved conversations. Not only does this make it an effective color in healthcare settings, but incorporating this color into pantry or gathering spaces can create an environment that enhances interaction among users. An inviting atmosphere also encourages participation in team bonding activities or simply enjoying a cup of coffee while catching up with coworkers.
Gray and other muted colors have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety while enhancing overall well-being. Wellness rooms can benefit from incorporating these colors to promote relaxation and meditation. This can be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing a stressful day, allowing them to enter a calming space and feel at ease.
Color can influence not only moods and emotions but can also serve as a navigation tool throughout a building or indicate transitions between different areas.
A recent example is a completed healthcare project for renovated internal medicine offices and exam rooms. Our project team incorporated colors specifically to create an environment to help patients easily locate exam rooms and find their way back to reception. By using colors thoughtfully on the walls, ceilings, and floors, we enhanced accessibility for all types of patients, including those with sensitivities to harsh lights or colors, as well as individuals who are visually impaired or aging. The distinct colors throughout space allow patients to orient themselves from various perspectives, whether they are looking down at the floor or up at eye level.
Another example of using color for wayfinding are the “blue portals” our project team implemented in a recently completed workplace renovation. These portals help direct users through various areas, guiding them from public areas to work zones and employee spaces.
Colors play an essential role in our daily lives, often influencing our emotions and behaviors without us even realizing it. As designers, one of our main objectives is to create spaces that not only make users feel comfortable but also enhance their ability to perform tasks efficiently.
In this episode of Ask The Architect, Senior Project Manager and Director of Operations Josh White dives into the topic of adaptive reuse, offering expert insights and practical advice on navigating this evolving and compelling area of the industry.
MP’s very own Jane Kepros and Robina Shepherd are featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s 2025 Women in Commercial Real Estate Spotlight!
Jane Kepros | Director of Lab Programming
What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? When I first considered leaving the pharma industry to work at an architecture firm, I was asked why I would leave a “noble” career developing treatments for illnesses or diseases to work in design. Since then, I have been involved in over 170 projects, mostly in the biotech/pharma industry. These facilities I helped design have been used by dozens of companies and thousands of employees to develop treatments and cures for many indications. I’m proud to think that my input has made a small impact as I help the scientists and technicians bring these products to market.
What’s a challenge you faced early in your career, and how did you overcome it? I changed careers from working as a scientist in a biology lab to working at an architecture firm in my thirties. It was my first time working in an office environment, which was a culture shock. Imposter syndrome hit hard. I confided in a colleague, who was a wonderful mentor, and she reminded me that I was hired for my previous experience, which was unique and would be an asset, and that no one expected me to be an expert in the design industry on day 1. When I had bad days, I thought about that advice. Over time, I developed my expertise and have since enjoyed a lot of success.
Robina Shepherd | Senior Interior Designer
What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? As a designer the opportunity to focus on hospitality and multi-family development was my initial draw to commercial real estate. Over the last four years I’ve been fortunate to design the interiors for six multi-family affordable housing projects throughout greater New England and New York sparking my drive to create places that everyone can be proud to call home. I’m grateful for spaces like CREW Boston’s Housing and Community Development Committee that support that passion.
Congratulations to you both and we cannot wait to see all your continued success!
Join us for episode 10 of Ask The Architect where Healthcare Studio Leader Edward Marcey explains the many positive impacts community health centers have on both patients and hospitals.
Today marks the final day of Zoe Botta’s Summer Design Internship with MP. A member of the Carnegie Mellon University Class of 2027, Zoe has been a dedicated, hardworking, and enthusiastic contributor to our team. As her internship comes to a close, we sat down with Zoe to reflect on her experience and the impact she has made during her time with us.
Zoe, how are you feeling as you near the end of your MP Design Internship?
I’m incredibly grateful for the staff, experiences, and knowledge that I’ve gained during my time at MP. I’m going to miss all of you and the work that I’ve been doing here. I’m especially thankful for all the patience, kindness, and mentorship that I have received throughout my internship.
What has been your favorite part of interning at MP?
I think the people are a real highlight. I feel so deeply spoiled when it comes to the number of people that have let me come on various site visits‑or, how I kindly refer to them as field trips. I’m very thankful for being able to see and learn as much as I can, and I think that’s really because the people have been so willing to bring me along and explain to me the process and importance of each aspect of architecture. I mean, I also love the snack, love the bagels on Tuesdays-I’m not going to lie to you. But overall, I think it’s really the community, the culture of this place, and the fact that I’m doing real work here. I’m doing things that help me learn all while contributing to something.
What is the most impactful or surprising thing you learned about architecture and design?
Going into this experience, I knew that architecture education and architecture practice were different, but I don’t think I realized how much of a difference there was. Of course, what I’m learning in school is helping me here, but those are more of the “how to think” skills, and this is more of the actual practice of architecture. I’m also a little bit surprised by the amount of communication between various teams, both internally and externally. It is a lot of facilitating conversation between the client, vendors, engineers, and sometimes even other architecture and design firms. I understood architects having to know about all the parts and pieces, but I don’t think I knew how they actually played out.
What is something you experienced at MP that you will take with you back to school?
MP redefined to me what looking at something big picture means. Going into this experience, big picture kind of meant zooming out with a less high-fidelity level of detail. But what I’ve learned from MP is that the big picture is defined by the small details. So, if you don’t have those small details, the big picture is not going be as successful. Similar to a puzzle, if the individual pieces are well crafted, the entire composition will be fantastic, but if even one piece is not created with care, you will be able to tell. I have seen a heightened level of care in every step while at this office and have directly seen that translation into creating meaningful spaces.
What is a piece of advice you would give to someone interested in interning at an architectural firm?
I went into this internship not having any finite things that I wanted to do or learn but rather was willing to work on anything and everything. This broad approach helped me the most because it meant that I didn’t limit myself or my experience based on what I thought I wanted. I was very aware that I had a lot to learn and didn’t want to pigeonhole myself into one area of architecture. I would advise them to just go into any experience or opportunity as a sponge. Taking the opportunities people throw at you is really one of the best ways to learn, because you learn what you like and what you don’t like.
In episode 9 of Ask The Architect, Caitlin Greenwood, Partner and Senior Project Manager, discusses how to make the most out of a sublease lab space.
As the global population ages, the healthcare industry faces increasing pressure to provide environments that are safe, accessible, and responsive to the needs of older adults. According to the United States Census Bureau, 2023 National Population Projections Tables: Main Series, in the United States, the number of people aged 65 and older is projected to reach over 80 million by 2050. In response, architects and healthcare planners must focus on designing community health centers and ambulatory care spaces that address the physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of this demographic.
Translating Cognitive-Friendly Wayfinding Research into Practice
Wayfinding—the ability to navigate spaces independently—is a crucial component of a successful healthcare environment for older adults. Cognitive decline, vision impairments, and memory loss can make it difficult for geriatric patients to understand spatial orientation and signage.
Architectural strategies should begin with clear, intuitive layouts that minimize decision points. Repetitive planning configurations, such as mirrored floorplans or inconsistent corridor branching, should be avoided. Instead, incorporate axial circulation with direct sightlines to key destinations such as reception, restrooms, and exits.
Graphic standards play a key role in reinforcing these layouts. Large, high-contrast fonts with iconography that is universally understood should be used. Colors should differentiate spaces but avoid overstimulation—soft, matte finishes in warm hues have been found to reduce visual confusion. Floor patterning should be simple and non-directional to prevent misinterpretation of changes in elevation.
By adopting evidence-based standards into templates and best-practice guidelines, designers can deliver repeatable, scalable environments that support autonomy for older adults.
Materials and Assemblies to Reduce Falls
Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, often resulting in hospitalization and long-term loss of independence. Architects can mitigate this risk through careful selection of flooring materials, lighting, and spatial transitions.
Slip-resistant flooring with a coefficient of friction (COF) above 0.6 for wet conditions should be standard in public areas, restrooms, and exam spaces. Cushioned vinyl and rubber flooring systems offer a balance of traction and shock absorption, reducing the severity of injury in the event of a fall. Thresholds should be flush to the floor or beveled with no abrupt level changes.
Lighting should be even, glare-free, and adjustable to accommodate the reduced visual acuity associated with aging. Integrated lighting in millwork and under toe-kicks helps define boundaries and reduces shadows that can cause missteps.
Handrails, grab bars, and seating ledges should be incorporated seamlessly into design, especially along long corridors or waiting areas, supporting both mobility and dignity. These measures can be standardized across community health centers and ambulatory projects to ensure consistency in risk reduction.
Universal Design and Aging-in-Place Strategies
Universal design goes beyond accessibility codes to create environments usable by all people, regardless of age or ability. For aging populations, this means designing healthcare environments that can adapt to changing physical and cognitive needs without requiring major renovation.
Key tactics include:
In community health and ambulatory settings, these strategies mirror those used in aging-in-place residential design, promoting familiarity and comfort. When seniors perceive clinical spaces as extensions of their home environments, compliance and satisfaction rise significantly.
Designing Telehealth-Ready Environments
Telehealth has emerged as a vital tool in extending access to care, particularly for older adults who face transportation or mobility challenges. However, the built environment must support this model to ensure its effectiveness.
Private telehealth booths or consult rooms should be acoustically isolated with sound-absorbing surfaces to reduce background noise and protect patient confidentiality. Ergonomic furniture, proper screen positioning, and glare control from ambient light are essential for a seamless user experience.
Infrastructure must support secure, high-speed internet connections and HIPAA-compliant data systems. Visual backgrounds in telehealth rooms should be calming and free of distractions—light-colored walls, modest artwork, and minimal equipment exposure all contribute to professional, comfortable settings.
By designing with telehealth in mind, community health and ambulatory centers can better serve aging patients while alleviating transportation burdens and increasing visit adherence.
Integrated Service Layouts to Improve Experience and Efficiency
One of the most effective ways to support geriatric patients is to reduce the number of steps and transitions required to access care. Integrated service layouts in community health centers consolidate multiple services—such as check-in, labs, diagnostics, and pharmacy—into a unified footprint.
This approach reduces patient travel distances, shortens waiting times, and eliminates the confusion of navigating large or multi-building facilities. For example, collocating behavioral health consults near primary care pods ensures seamless transitions for patients who may struggle with scheduling and follow-up adherence.
Design solutions include:
These efficiencies not only improve satisfaction metrics but also support care coordination and operational sustainability.
Designing community health and ambulatory care spaces for an aging population requires a proactive, evidence-based approach rooted in empathy and practicality. By prioritizing cognitive-friendly wayfinding, fall-resistant materials, universal design principles, telehealth infrastructure, and integrated-service layouts, architects can create spaces that elevate the quality of care for older adults. As demographic shifts continue to transform healthcare demand, thoughtful design will remain a cornerstone of safe, equitable, and dignified care environments.
Join us for this episode of Ask The Architect with Principal and Partner, Dan Perruzzi, where he answers common questions of how landlords can better fit the tenants of today.