MBH Architects, an award-winning architecture and design firm, has announced the promotion of Joe Irwin and Hillary Thompson to Principal, recognizing their leadership, technical expertise, and lasting contributions to the firm’s growth, innovation, and design excellence.

Ryan McNulty, President and Principal said:“Joe and Hillary exemplify the curiosity, rigor, and collaborative spirit that define MBH. Their work has strengthened not only the quality of our design solutions, but also how we operate as a firm. This promotion reflects the meaningful impact each of them has had on our clients, our teams, and the future direction of our practice.” 

Joe Irwin

Based in MBH’s Denver office, Irwin serves as Studio Director and Denver Office Director, bringing more than 15 years of leadership in fixture design and architectural innovation. His career has focused on advancing the firm’s design and production capabilities from conceptual development through 3D modeling and fabrication, supporting global projects that require both precision and creativity. 

As a project leader, Irwin has guided multidisciplinary teams of international consultants and vendors to deliver complex, custom fixture programs for high-profile and confidential clients. He was recognized by Architect Magazine for pioneering the integration of 3D printing into architectural workflows, reflecting his deep expertise in fabrication, model making, and digital modeling technologies. 

His portfolio includes bespoke work for the Ansel Adams Gallery and Hangar 1 Vodka, along with extensive research and development initiatives that continue to shape the future of retail environments and experiential design. Irwin has also played a key role in strengthening MBH’s internal operations and culture, contributing to continuing education and design technology knowledge-sharing groups, participating in international architecture conferences, and supporting firmwide innovation efforts including AI-driven workflows. 

He helped launch and grow MBH’s Denver office and has contributed to multiple studio environments across the firm. He was promoted to Senior Associate in 2018 and holds a Bachelor of Design in Architectural Studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Master of Architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design. As Principal, Irwin will continue advancing innovation, design technology, and technical excellence across the firm’s projects and studios. 

Klas Eklöf, Principal, added: “Joe combines technical mastery with a maker’s mindset. He continually looks for smarter, more valuable ways to bring ideas to life, and always delivers future-focused solutions that we can build on.  His expansive mindset and entrepreneurial spirit drive us into a world-class level of service.” 

Hillary Thompson

Based in MBH’s Alameda headquarters, Hillary Thompson has spent the past eleven years shaping the firm’s brand communications strategy and knowledge infrastructure. As Director of Brand Communications, she leads firmwide marketing, communications, and knowledge management initiatives that support MBH’s focus on design and operational excellence. 

With experience developing graphic design and visual communication solutions for clients in the furniture, textile, and product design industries, Thompson brings a multidisciplinary perspective to translating complex ideas into clear visual and narrative frameworks. She has spearheaded major enterprise initiatives, including the development of the firm’s intranet and CRM platforms, advancing how institutional knowledge is captured, shared, and leveraged across offices. 

As Principal, Thompson will continue guiding brand and knowledge strategy while contributing to firmwide leadership focused on innovation, design excellence, and people-centered growth. 

Ryan McNulty continued: “Hillary has transformed how we communicate who we are and how we learn from one another. She brings clarity to complexity, building systems that organize and activate our decades of knowledge and data as a strategic asset for our clients. By strengthening how information is shared across the firm, she empowers our teams to step into every situation as informed, trusted partners from day one. Her leadership has strengthened the entire organization.”       

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