Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) is pleased to announce that Kristen O’Gorman, AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Associate has been promoted to principal. Kristen’s appointment comes as SCB continues to expand its science and technology practice, particularly in Boston, where her work has greatly contributed to growth in the market.   

Since joining SCB, Kristen has led a rapid rise of the firm’s life science work in the Greater Boston area, continuing to build the commercial science and technology practice within the region and along the East Coast. Kristen has over a decade of design experience and a diverse portfolio of work, including numerous life science, commercial office, adaptive reuse, and higher education projects. She has played a primary role in the completion of over 2.5 million square feet of projects, including 750,000 square feet of built space in Boston alone.   

“Kristen’s deep expertise and portfolio of work in Boston has been instrumental to growing and evolving not only our life science practice, but our firm as a whole,” said Clara Wineberg, principal and leader of SCB’s East Coast practice. “We are thrilled to recognize her leadership and elevate her to principal.”  

Kristen is currently leading the design of several large, ground-up projects, including the recently approved Hartwell Labs in Lexington, MA, one of the first anchor developments in a new life science corridor. Her success as a designer reflects her highly collaborative and engaging process, which has led to strong relationships both with clients and within Boston’s highly competitive science and technology development community.  Championing sustainability, resiliency, and performance in all of her projects, Kristen’s work is noted for creating inspired, innovative, and healthy spaces.   

“As designers, I think we are all driven by a sincere desire to create spaces and places that support the people who work there, live there, and learn there,” said Kristen. “These past few years have only strengthened that sense of responsibility within myself and my work in the science and technology sector. The initiatives taking place in these research and office facilities are critical, and I know that the whole team here at SCB feels a great sense of pride in contributing to that advancement. I am excited and energized about my new role as principal and continuing the firm’s growth both in the Boston area, as well as the greater East Coast.”   

Kristen is a key contributor on SCB’s strategic leadership team and was recently named One to Watch by the New England Real Estate Journal. She received her Bachelor and Master of Architecture from Roger Williams University, and previously served as a studio instructor at Boston Architectural College for five years. Kristen’s robust expertise spans projects of all sizes and complexities, from large-scale, ground-up new construction to smaller, adaptive reuse and renovations.