Gabriel J. Massa (Principal) - RA, AIA, NCARB, CID, LEED AP BD+C

As Principal-in-Charge Gabriel  J. Massa has close to 30 years of versatile experience in architecture, construction, and contract administration with extensive project management and problem solving experience. Gabe received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Kent State University School of Architecture and Environmental Design in 1985, and since has become registered in 30 states.  At MMA, Gabe spends most of his days in the Rending and Production studio fully entangled in the daily workload. Working side-by-side with the design and entitlement team he is fully intertwined with the intricacies and compositions of almost all of the designs and presentations produced by MMA.  Gabe and his team have been responsible for numerous entitlement approvals for some extremely demanding jurisdictions.  These approvals can be directly attributed to Gabe's focus on presentation quality, innovative design approaches, and his ability to effectively communicate project intent.  With over 30 years of detailing experience Gabe also acts as an extremely reliable resource for production and detailing teams as projects progress from the design development phase to construction documents.  

In his career, Gabe has performed numerous deficiency studies, building deficiencies upgrades, long range and master planning, laboratory renovations, building additions, and diagnosing building failures. Gabe's success is attributable to his attention to detail, and his ability to work effectively with clients, consultants, and contractors. He recognizes that cost must guide his decisions and he is committed to providing planning options to arrive at a design solution that fits his client’s budgets while simultaneously finding the best aesthetic fit.

Other responsibilities that Gabe takes on in MMA’s day to day operations includes external communication with key State agencies, engineering disciplines, consultants, contractors and clients. In addition, Gabe's largest responsibilities include overall management of projects from conception to completion,  contract preparation, scoping, scheduling, staffing, programming, designing, contract document coordination, boiler plate and technical specification writing, construction administration and owner’s representation services.

John S. Montalto (Principal) - RA, AIA

As a Principal-in-Charge John S. Montalto has over 27 years of versatile experience in architecture, construction, and contract administration with extensive project management and problem solving experience. Mr. Montalto received his Bachelor of Science-Architecture from New York Institute of Technology in 1984.

He places a strong emphasis on working within a team environment, increasing a customer base and maximizing corporate profits. Mr. Montalto is currently licensed in the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Mr. Montalto has worked for both large and small architectural firms, which enabled him to gain a wide range of diversified experience. He has worked for several renowned architectural firms, John Carl Warnecke and HOK. The most notable project John was involved with was the Humana Building, designed by Michael Graves, which is considered by many to be the leading design in post-modern high-rise buildings. In 1990 John Montalto founded the firm of JSM Architects, and in 1994 JSM landed their first retail chain. The firm rapidly grew to 13 people and over the next eighteen months, JSM developed over thirty new stores throughout New York City.

In 1996, Massa Montalto Architects, PC was formed. As one of MMA’s two principals, Mr. Montalto is committed to providing the highest levels of project management and architectural design services in order to arrive at a design solution that meets the client’s needs and expectations.

John is once again working with the world renowned firm of Michael Graves & Associates, this time as one of the Principals-in-Charge, as part of an architectural Joint Venture involved in the design of two NYC SCA school project; a new 54,271 sq. ft. addition to PS/IS 42 in Queens, and PS 290, a new 99,000 sq. ft. school in Queens.

Thomas McHugh (Associate) - RA, AIA, NCARB

Since graduating from NJIT in 1997 with a Bachelors of Architecture, Mr. McHugh has maintained a leading role in our educational facilities design division. As recognition for his efforts, Mr. McHugh was promoted to Associate in 2002 and has become an integral part of the Educational Design Team.

As Lead Project Team Director, his responsibilities include proposal and contract generation, cost estimating for budgets, coordination of the various design consultants, construction administration, shop drawing review, and project close-out.

His extensive project management experience has included numerous educational projects with diverse scopes of service and varied design and construction approaches. Most recently, Tom has been involved with several NYC SCA projects that were awarded to the joint-venture of Michael Graves & Associates and Massa Montalto Architects, PC. Most notable of these projects are PS 290 and PS/IS 42Q, both located in Queens, New York. PS 290 is a new 104,250 sq. ft. primary school located at the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and Tonsor Street, in the Ridgewood section of Queens. The facility will accommodate 616 students in grades P-K through 5 to meet the current and projected needs for the surrounding community. The PS/IS 42Q project is both a new 54,271 sq. ft. addition as well as renovation of the existing school building and is located in the Arverne neighborhood of Queens. The program for this new addition provided for specialized instruction rooms, science labs, a physical education complex, a kitchen/cafeteria complex, student support areas as well as a parent/community room, administrative suite and supplemental storage space.

As Project Director, he recently completed one of the firm’s largest projects; a new state-of-the-art, 105,000 sq. ft. intermediate school which houses grades (3-6) as well as the Board of Education offices. In addition, this campus also houses a separate maintenance facility and the District’s main football field and track. New children’s basketball courts and play equipment are also situated in proximity to the new building, with the facilities design allowing for use of the athletic facilities after hours.

With the client and budget in mind, Mr. McHugh opted for a modular design approach for an Early Childhood Center, which enabled the project to be built in the factory, delivered to the site and subsequently installed in seasonal condition which would otherwise have delayed projects with a traditional construction approach. For another client, Mr. McHugh brought together the design team, the builder, and the manufacturers that would ultimately build the custom furniture for a very technological conscious client. He was also able to coordinate all the trades, and bring the project to completion ahead of schedule.

 Jim Higgins (Associate) - RA, AIA

Jim Higgins

Mr. Higgins is a registered Architect for 28 years in the State of New Jersey and has worked in the architectural and construction fields for over thirty five years in a variety of professional capacities and has been directly involved in medical, institutional, commercial and educational projects through his association with several offices in the central New Jersey tri-county area. 

As a senior project manager with MMA Architects, Mr. Higgins is directly involved in researching, assessing and ensuring project compliance with all current and applicable federal, state and local codes and statutes and regulatory standards for implementation into construction documentation for each specific project. Through the firm’s corporate membership with the International Code Counsel, Mr. Higgins conducts project reviews for code  compliance with International Building Codes, both the N.J. edition as well as other state jurisdiction’s codes, including; ANSI 117.1 –2003 standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Standards; as well as, current editions of the National Standard Plumbing Code and NFPA’s National Electrical Code, and works closely with the firm’s engineering consultants for overall coordination of various discipline’s for compliance. In addition to the above, Mr. Higgins has a thorough working knowledge of the N.J. State Administrative Codes, N.J.A.C. Chapters 5:23, Chapter 23 and the N.J.A.C. Title 6 and 6A statues for the N.J. Department of Education, as well as, current U.L. editions of the Fire Resistive Directories for specific U.L. Design No. compliance, with applicable code requirements.

He works closely with the Firm’s engineering design consultants in coordinating the project documentation activities throughout production, bidding procedures and performs construction administration activities. He is also involved in project specifications preparation during the design development and construction document stages for accurate implementation during construction. His direct involvement with various commercial and institutional project’s pre-construction entitlement process assists in permitting procurement activities with local and state jurisdictions having authority. Mr. Higgins has appeared before various municipal zoning and planning boards, as a Registered Architect in the State of NJ.