Our Story

Hinge studio was started partly out of a passion for adaptation and reuse – out of a desire to give old buildings a new life. Kate Cudney, Hinge’s founder grew up in the rust belt region of New York State – dilapidated barns and rusted out industrial buildings were the fuel of childhood imaginings. She fell in love with these structures. Structures built from necessity and then worn to an incredibly beautiful patina over time. She loved the way light shifted through a hayloft or the shadows cast by the ladders on an abandoned grain silo. Hinge was born from the desire to take these spaces and these imaginings and to give them back to the world.

Existing buildings still comprise the majority of our work. Older structures have a quality of construction, character, and history that is challenging to recreate in newer structures. As stewards of the planet and of the built environment, we love the challenge of rethinking existing spaces – of figuring out how to adapt to new needs without losing what is invaluable. We love that we preserve the wealth of embodied energy and resources in every existing building we work on.

Now a team of five, Hinge Studio has had the opportunity to work on a broader array of projects. Lessons learned from our work with old buildings inform our approach with the new. We strive to marry beauty and necessity, creating spaces anchored in a sense of community, yet flexible enough to shift and grow with the people that occupy them.  As architects we love buildings, but it’s the people who use them that truly fuel our work. We recognize how fortunate we are. What other profession gets to help people make space to house their dreams? Whether it’s a business, or a home or a utilitarian structure, our aim is to design spaces that are an excellent fit for those who use them. 

With 10 years of experience working with wonderful clients and collaborating with contractors, the Hinge Team has developed expertise in both commercial and residential design. We bring a keen eye for design and attention to detail to every project, ensuring that we provide every client with lasting value and design that grows with them.  We value the opportunity to work closely with clients, bringing them into the design process, and actively listening to their needs.