Directory

Michael Joyce is a Boston based practicing architect and educator. His long association with Mass Art includes positions both in the departments Illustration and Architectural Design. His professional and design interests traverse the domains of architecture, urban design, and art which he often develops in a synthesis of exploration in his work. In his recent role with the design firm HGA, he leads collaborations in health care design and is sought after for his interdisciplinary approach to flexible design solutions, building performance detailing and mentorship. 

Michael received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Art and holds a Masters in Architecture from MIT where he was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal and the Sydney B. Karofsky Prize.  He believes architecture can suggest meaningful places that energize and inspire our daily lives. As a designer and teacher, his thoughts conjure places that connect to our context and our future while challenging us to move forward through innovation, diversity, sustainability and adaptability. His built work includes a variety of large- and small-scale projects from award winning higher education, and courthouse design to sophisticated health and science research centers, community welcome centers, transportation facilities and private residential commissions. Michael’s work includes extended residency in the United Kingdom and Germany and collaborations with teams in Israel, India and Japan.

His design for the Western New York Welcome Center was recently awarded the AIA Honor Award at the Rochester NY AIA chapter. Michael is involved in active committees including board member of the MIT Architecture Alumni Association, Boston Society of Architects and the Temple University Family Council and has served as design critic at MIT, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Tufts University, Boston Architectural College, Roger Williams University, Tulane University, Louisiana State University and the Kunst Akadamie Munich.  He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and a registered architect in Massachusetts. 

At Mass Art, Michael contributes his design acumen through a range of “scale-inquiries” starting with the study of city form and the narrative of site to the expression of the built detail as an interconnected set of decisions. His courses include “Making Cities Work” that examine how cities support public spaces and reinforce the equitable use and diversity of human activity, and “Architectural Details-Craft and Continuity” an inquiry in the built environmental response through crafting and performance in architectural detailing. His courses are grounded in the large vision of place-making and the interconnectivity of design thinking from a collection of influences and ideas that inform architectural education.

Industry Experience

• HGA Architects-Boston
• Stantec Architecture-Boston
• Goody Clancy- Boston
• Moshe Safdie Associates- Sommerville
• Billes- Manning- New Orleans
• Steidle + Partner Architekten- Munich

Lectures and Presentations 

• 2024- “State of Design 2024”-submissions presentation to students and alumni, MIT
• 2023- ‘State of Design 2023” -submissions presentation to students and alumni, MIT

• 2020 – “A Certain Detail,” Department of Architecture Tuesday Talks, Mass Art
• 2019 – “Gone to the Empire – Recent Stantec Projects from the State of New York,” Department of Architecture Tuesday, Mass Art
• 2018 – “Crossroads – Centering the Colleges of the Fenway,” Teaching and Learning Conference, Simmons College
• 2017 – “Narrative Devices” Department of Architecture Tuesday, Mass Art
• 2011 – “Sustaining Justice Architecture – The McCormack Federal Courthouse,” Architecture Lecture Series, Mass Art
• 2010 – “Rethinking Justice Architecture in our Communities: One Building at a Time” Speaker and Moderator-AIA Academy for Architectural Justice, Boston
• 2008-2009 – “Plan Brockton 2008 – A Briefing for the Future,” BSA Symposium team member and community facilitator, Brockton MA
• 2006 – “Urban Visions New Orleans – Design Concepts for Rebuilding,” Symposium Moderator, MassArt

Professional Organizations

• American Institute of Architects
• Boston Society of Architects

Awards

• 2024-AIA Merit Award, Clute Park Redevelopment and Pavilion. AIA-Rochester NY
• 2020 -AIA Honor Award, Western New York Welcome Center. AIA-Rochester NY
• 2012-Justice Facility Review 2012, J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center Salem, AIA-Academy for Architectural Justice
• 2012-John Wesley Powell Prize, McCormack Post Office and Courthouse, Society for History in the Federal Government
• 2005- BSA/AIA Design Excellence Honor Award, Burton Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, Purdue University
• 2003-Jury Selected Winning Design-9/11 Memorial for Logan International Airport, Massport sponsored design competition
• 2003- Citation, American School & University, “Outstanding High School” Award, North Kingston High School
• 1994 – First Honorable Mention-80th Paris Prize Architectural Design Competition, Van Allen Institute, New York