Principal of Tampa office named for architecture and design firm

A registered health care architect has been named principal of the Tampa office for Fort Myers architecture and design firm Studio+. 

Rachel Hunter, who had been serving as associate principal and project manager in the office since 2014, has worked for Studio+ for nearly 12 years. 

During her time with the firm, Hunter has led projects valued at more than $400 million, from hospital renovations to corporate headquarters, according to a statement.

“Rachel has been a pivotal part of the growth and success of Studio+ for over a decade,” CEO of Studio+ Damon Romanello says in a statement. “Most recently, she has been working with Arthrex on developing innovative designs for surgery centers. Along with her expertise and leadership, Rachel brings a passion for the design and construction process that is inspiring to those around her."

Before she joined Studio+, Hunter was a resident architect for the Department of Veterans Affairs, managing construction of a 268,000-square-foot polytrauma and rehabilitation center and therapy pool addition and renovation.

Hunter graduated from the University of Miami’s School of Architecture and is among the fewer than 1% of Black women licensed architects in the United States, according to the statement.

Studio+ has offices in Tampa and Lakeland; Orange County and Los Angeles and Traverse City, Michigan. The architectural, engineering and interior design firm specializes in health care, senior living, commercial, municipal, educational, retail and hospitality sectors.