Hacin, the interdisciplinary architecture, interiors, and visual identity firm based in Boston’s South End, announces the promotion of Christine Rankin to Principal. A multi-disciplinary designer who has been with the firm for over two decades, Rankin will lead Hacin’s hospitality design practice as it continues to grow.
Her experience spans restaurant, retail, hotel, commercial, and private residential projects, and she has contributed to some of the firm’s most notable hospitality work, including Sea Crest Beach Hotel Streetscape and restaurant projects, such as Shore Leave and No Relation, and Myers + Chang. She is currently leading the design team for Michelin-starred chef George Mendes’ upcoming dining concepts in Boston’s South End, due to open later in 2026.
“Christine Rankin has been an extraordinary partner in bringing the vision for our two upcoming restaurants to life. Her ability to translate narrative into space – balancing beauty, function, and emotion – has made the design process both intentional and deeply collaborative.” George and Suzanne Mendes
Christine has cultivated expertise in high-end design across a range of project types, with a particular focus on work that bridges architecture, interior design, and visual identity. A longtime advocate for Hacin’s collaborative, interdisciplinary approach, she was promoted to Associate in 2022 and Senior Associate in 2024.
Christine received a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from Northeastern University and a Master of Interior Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. While at RISD, she focused on collaborative studies across multiple design departments, including digital media, industrial design, and furniture design. She also had the opportunity to study architectural history and design in Italy and Denmark.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Christine into the role of Principal of our firm. Over the years, she has consistently demonstrated not only exceptional design talent, but also a deep understanding of how thoughtful spaces shape the experiences people have within them. Her creativity, leadership, and collaborative spirit have already had a profound impact on our work and I’m incredibly excited to see how she will continue to push our practice forward – expanding our vision for hospitality design and inspiring both our clients and our team in the years ahead.” David Hacin, Founding Principal and Creative Director, Hacin
Upon reflecting on her career thus far, Christine notes, “For me, the most rewarding thing about working at Hacin is that the work is never static. Every project brings new constraints, new collaborators, and new ways of thinking. Curiosity isn’t just encouraged here, it’s essential, and the constant sense of discovery that comes with it is what keeps the work energizing and meaningful.”
About Hacin: Hacin is an interdisciplinary architecture and design studio located in Boston’s South End. Founded in 1993 by David Hacin, the award-winning design team is a collective of talented individuals with a range of expertise, collaborating on projects at all scales. With a respect for design across disciplines and influenced by a multitude of cultures and styles, the firm aims to create compelling design that resonates with meaning, clarity of intent, and a strong sense of place. Hacin approaches each design challenge by examining and often reinterpreting the physical and cultural context of a particular site and program to find pragmatic yet unexpected solutions. Please visit www.hacin.com for more on the firm’s work.