Colin has been the driving force behind some of SOM’s most unexpected projects since joining the firm in the early 2000s.
A focus on the human experience is the foundation of Colin’s design philosophy, which he applies across a range of project types including education, transportation, culture, workplace, and urban planning. Clients and collaborators appreciate his genuine interest in understanding the complexities of each project and confronting and resolving these challenges through rigorous dialogue.
The underlying idea in my design process is often: How far can we stretch the vocabulary of SOM’s buildings? The most interesting things happen in the tension between our individual curiosities and the collective identity of SOM.
Colin’s designs for MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing and for a habitat on the Moon both demonstrate his passion for science, technology, and human-centered design. His relentless attention to detail and an emphasis on the best possible user experience are behind SOM’s design for the Walt Disney Company’s New York City headquarters at 4 Hudson Square. The monumental National Museum of the U.S. Army, which opened to the public in January 2021, allows visitors to experience the story of the oldest branch of the United States military from a soldier’s point of view. Colin also brought the design for Moynihan Train Hall in New York to the finish line, which has been hailed as one the most important U.S. infrastructure projects of the century. Most recently, Colin led SOM’s competition-winning design for the 2026 Olympic Village in Milan.
As a founding partner of SOM’s Talent, Equity, Diversity, and Development team, Colin is invested in creating the most productive and inspiring culture for SOM’s talent to grow, prosper and make a lasting impact on the built environment. Commercial Observer included Colin in its 2021 Power 100 list.
