For 35 years, Finegold Alexander principal Tony Hsiao sat on the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District commission, weighing in on everything from historic renovations to brand-new buildings—often the same kinds of projects he’s tackled throughout his career.

“The biggest takeaway for me is you’re really trying to be supportive of your community,” Tony says. “You’re trying to help, and hopefully you’re impacting things that improve the physical environment—making projects fit better, addressing neighborhood concerns—while still acting in your professional capacity to bring critical thinking to the review.”

A longtime Mid-Cambridge resident, Tony joined the commission in 1991 at the invitation of former Finegold Alexander principal Tony Platt. For the last two decades, he’s served as chair.

Overseeing the city’s densest neighborhood means the commission reviews a bit of everything: civic, residential, and commercial buildings; restorations and adaptive reuse; and ground-up construction. The group often consults the Cambridge Historical Commission for guidance on jurisdiction and best practices as they shape recommendations.

On any given proposal, the question is simple: How will this building fit into its surroundings? If it touches a historic property, what’s the impact? Lately, those conversations have evolved as the city updates zoning to expand housing—especially affordable housing.

“We give critical insight and say, ‘If owners are doing something larger than typical, they need to talk to the neighbors and look for ways to mitigate concerns,’” Tony says. “We have to bridge that gap.”

The commission is volunteer-based and typically includes architects, planners, attorneys, and residents with a strong interest in design. That expertise is a strength, Tony notes, because members understand where project teams are coming from. But there’s a line they don’t cross.

“It’s not telling them how to design it, because that’s not our role,” he says. “I’m very conscious of not trying to design their project. Our suggestions have to respect our role and theirs. We have to balance being commissioners and being architects.”

Public comment can be long and lively, which Tony sees as a good sign: people care, and they want a voice.

“It’s very rewarding because you feel like you’re making a difference. It’s also a great way to meet your neighbors. People bump into you on the street and say, ‘Oh, I saw you on Zoom last month — it’s so nice to meet you in person.’ Cambridge is a tight-knit community, and my hope in serving for over three decades was to make a positive impact on the city I cherish.”