Inspiring
Function
through Design
Creating homes that reflect the client’s true self and personality. Our style has no limits, only unique design that exceeds expectations.
About Us
The creative Team at McHugh Architecture is committed to delivering designs that are innovative, beautiful, and meet our client’s vision. Our unhurried process allows us to understand which design elements will bring the most value. Through dialogue, sketches, and 3D renderings, our team presents the best illustration of the new home. Once the drawing is approved, we carefully recommend which contractors will be best aligned for the project. With over 30 years of developing homes and establishing a presence in the Jersey Shore, our reputation and portfolio of work have received outstanding satisfaction from our customers.
The dynamic passion of our team brings the highest level of innovation, quality and value.
Brendan McHugh, AIA, NCARB
Brendan established McHugh Architecture in 2009 after exploring professional architectural experiences over 15 years in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. He fulfilled his dream of creating custom residential design full time along the New Jersey shoreline. During the completion of his architectural studies at Miami University and Georgia Institute of Technology, he spent a semester abroad in Italy touring and studying the villas and churches throughout the Tuscan region. Following the Palladian core values of design to "function, endure and delight," Brendan's practice encourages the exploration of new ideas to augment the classical and modern styles with new concepts. Brendan's collaborative approach to architecture delivers projects that are genuine reflections of the individuals who inhabit them, all the while exuding exceptional craftsmanship, detail, and functionality. The concept of "home" and the personal sense of space associated with a home drove him throughout his career to continually explore creative areas for the way we live. Brendan is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the American Institute of Architects, and served as the Local AIA Chapter President in 2015. When Brendan is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching his sons' sports, cooking, running, travel, trying new wines/restaurants, and relaxing at the beach.
BEAUTY will result from the form and correspondence of the whole, with respect to the several parts, of the parts with regard to each other, and of these again to the whole.
Andrea Palladio
Lee Martin Clancy, Associate AIA
Through constant scrutiny of the spaces we occupy, an unyielding interest in construction, and self-admittedly holding an elevated approach to aesthetics, Lee Martin found his way to architecture. Despite a doctor's concern that Lee's passion for architecture may indeed be an unhealthy obsession, he continues to welcome the profession as his way of life. Lee takes excellent care in preparing architectural documentation. He believes that before an architect asks someone to build their vision, they should be well versed in how it is built. He believes that a set of documents can be impactful in the same sense that a well-designed finished space can be. Lee received his education from Brookdale Community College and the New York Institute of Technology in Manhattan. At Brookdale, being the go-getter he is, Lee commandeered a dormant art club fund and designed a 16' tall x 26' wide sculpture that very few visit, but many inadvertently can see on the school's website. Lee loves dogs and also enjoys traveling, but who doesn't? He vehemently hates vinyl siding but understands its place, in the residential market.
Lara Garnant, Associate AIA
Growing up in a historic home, it was apparent that architecture was a natural fit for Lara – By the age of ten, she was mixing mortar, buttering bricks, and tooling masonry joints. A lifelong NJ resident, Lara chose the field of architecture to improve function in people's daily lives, to inspire people with their surroundings, and to lift people's emotions through the mediums of light, space, and material. Lara earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology's School of Architecture and Albert Dorman Honors College. She is certified by CSI in construction documents technology and construction contract administration. Lara is pursuing the six exams for architecture licensure. During her career, Lara has gained valuable experience working on a variety of building types, including homes, apartment buildings, commercial offices, retail, bar/restaurants, solar installations, mixed-use, religious, and warehouse projects. Joining McHugh Architecture in 2012, Lara's work focuses on the firm's delivery of successful projects through office management and project planning. Lara's secret weapons are her analytical and spatial skills to site analysis, programming, code research, zoning analysis, contracts, and more. In her spare time, Lara enjoys spending time outdoors, being with her playful husky, and designing quilts. In the past, she has traded in her childhood plastic hammer for power tools to help build Habitat for Humanity homes for deserving families in Newark and Asbury Park.
Douglas McComiskey
From a young age, Douglas finds inspiration from the architecture and design of objects that inhabit the world. “How to Draw…” books, LEGOs, and models made up much of his young (and adult) life. He is working towards accomplishing his life-long goal of becoming a licensed architect. He has his BS in Architectural Design from Temple University in Philadelphia. He is currently on his way to completing his professional development hours and looking ahead to a master’s degree in Architecture. Douglas believes that as an Architect, it is vital to have a bit of knowledge and expertise in a lot of areas, so his hobbies include furniture design, graphic design, illustration, among many others. When not at the drafting table, Douglas enjoys his hobbies in furniture design, graphic design, and illustration.
Mark Alexander Pavliv, AIA/CID/NCARB
Prior to founding "The Architect's Studio" in 1992, Mark's professional career included service as the CEO of the Design Division of the International Architectural & Engineering firm of Burns & Roe. This followed an 18-year association with the prestigious New York architectural and planning firm of BeyerBlinder & Belle, where he held positions as Senior Associate and as the Director of Project Development. The Architect’s Studio and McHugh Architecture have collaborated on projects for the last 10 years.
Maribeth Pelly Marketing Coordinator
My 17 years of marketing experience just got better when I joined this dynamic architectural team. My responsibilities cover a variety of marketing initiatives that feature our custom home designs and talent. After raising three daughters in the area, it's easy to relate to our client's changing needs for space, family, entertainment, and home offices.