Haiti Bound!
January 26th, 2012
By Kaysha Bucher, Interior Designer
Packed and prepped, I’m ready to begin my 10 day adventure in Haiti!
At the start of this new year, my arrangements were finalized to take-off for my long-awaited Xref trip. Through HMC’s Xref travel fellowship, I will be traveling with Schools for Children of the World to visit Haiti and aid in new school design and construction. I depart this Friday, and I’ve been full of anticipation all week; this trip has been on my heart for a long time.
After a call yesterday to the team in Haiti for final instruction and words of wisdom, I am equipped for an intensive work schedule. While there, I will be part of a team assessing the conditions of 200 existing schools as well as documenting drawings for several schools soon ready for construction. Additionally, I will visit new schools already underway to oversee construction and gauge advancement.
Thanks to the generosity of my co-workers in the LA studio, I won’t be traveling empty-handed to this country in need. Contributions have been generous as HMC hands and hearts brought in monetary donations, school supplies, books, shoes, warm weather clothing, backpacks, small toys, and soccer balls. Traveling with these supplies, my hope is to bring a special blessing to the children who will attend the schools I will be working on.
A big thanks to HMC for all their generosity, I’m looking forward to blogging about my journey in the coming days!
Posted in Xref
An Xref adventure to design/construct schools in HaitiHMC ArchLab Sustainable Design Retreat
January 26th, 2012
In the fall of 2011, HMC ArchLab led a sustainable design camping retreat with designers at HMC Architects. The goal was to empower HMC’s designers to advance high-performance architecture and generate a better environment for all. Watch the video to learn more about the retreat and see the HMC ArchLab team in action.
Posted in High Performance Architecture
The great outdoorsCarbon-Neutral Architectural Design
January 16th, 2012
HMC’s Director of Sustainable Design, Pablo La Roche, has recently authored a book entitled Carbon-Neutral Architectural Design. Filling an urgent need for a design reference in this emerging field, Carbon-Neutral Architectural Design describes how to reduce building-related greenhouse gas emissions through appropriate design techniques. This full-color book presents strategies and methods to achieve CO2 reductions, with an emphasis on control of energy flows through the building envelope and passive heating and cooling strategies.
Carbon-Neutral Architectural Design is available for purchase from CRC Press and Amazon.com
Posted in High Performance Architecture
Strategies and methods to achieve CO2 reductionsTaiwan Tower International Design Competition
January 12th, 2012
Led by HMC’s Raymond Pan, the team of HMC Architects and HOY Architects and Associates were among the five finalists selected for the Taiwan Tower International Design Competition. Envisioned as beacon for the city of Taichung, the 400-meter tall green tower is an evolving column of life that captures and reflects the strength and resilience of the people of Taiwan.
Rising from its roots that are infused with its people, place, history, and stories, this column of life is the culmination of the serendipitous lifestyle and inclusive multicultural dynamism of Taiwan. The tower sustains a creative synergy between structure and its context through a physical, visual, and metaphysical morphology. The very roots that shaped this tower are ingrained in the memories of Taiwan’s history, while it continues to foster the celebration of life and its ever-changing aspect of history making.
Continue Reading…
Posted in International
Embracing the evolution of TaiwanAutodesk Apps for the iPad, Plus More!
January 11th, 2012
By Steve Bennett, originally published on Adventures in the World of BIM
It’s still hard to believe, but HMC has given everyone an iPad 2! Now the possibilities for collaborating just went through the roof. Do we call each other on FaceTime now instead of the phone? Do we share info via iMessage? Anyways, now that I’ve had time to sit on it and let it soak in, I found myself crafting a list of apps that I’ve found useful to share, and naturally it included all the Autodesk apps. When I was done crafting it, I couldn’t believe how many apps are available already. You can find any of these apps by searching the iTunes store with the name provided. Read on for my full list…
Posted in Architecture Education
Apps for architectsAnnouncing the Launch of HMC’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan
January 5th, 2012
HMC Architects announced today that it has become a 100% employee-owned firm by launching an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
“It is our talented employees that set us apart at HMC,” says President and CEO Randy Peterson, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C. “We want our employees to act and think like owners, and directly benefit from HMC’s continued success as participants in the ESOP.”
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Posted in News Releases
Now 100% employee ownedPolytechnic School Achieves LEED Gold
January 4th, 2012
Polytechnic School, located in Pasadena, Calif., has officially achieved LEED Gold Certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
Polytechnic School has been in operation since 1906, and since then has grown, changed, and managed to maintain its historic roots. HMC’s design team was challenged with relocating and renovating existing historical buildings, designing new buildings to complement the campus, and designing an underground parking structure underneath new structures—all while adhering to the requirements of the Pasadena Historical Society.
Posted in High Performance Architecture
Preserving history and reaching LEED GoldVideo: Eco-Charrette
January 3rd, 2012
HMC ArchLab recently led an Eco-Charrette for the Collins College of Hospitality at Cal Poly Pomona. Watch the video to learn about our Eco-Charrette process and how we integrate sustainable design from the beginning of a project.
iPads Given to Every Employee to Encourage Connectivity
December 20th, 2011
HMC Architects, an international planning and design firm, announced that it gave each of its employees an Apple iPad 2 as a way to reward excellent staff performance, improve productivity, and enhance social connectivity among staff.
- Employees received a 16GB Apple iPad 2 with Wi-Fi; employees have the option to upgrade to other models for cost differences
- The design firm currently employees 411 people, with 12 offices located throughout California, Arizona, and Nevada
- More than 400 iPad2s were given to staff, valuing more than $200,000
- All of the firm’s offices have Wi-Fi throughout, enabling employees to use the iPad2 wherever they are working
HMC, which received the Best Firm to Work For award from Building Design + Construction in 2011, has a tradition of rewarding employee efforts and embracing cutting-edge technology. Over the past decade, HMC has implemented numerous technology-based initiatives, including the use of BIM and social media, to set itself apart from their competition.
“HMC has long recognized that our employees are our greatest asset. This year, we wanted to reward their hard work with a holiday bonus that would help them stay connected throughout the year,” said HMC’s President and CEO Randy Peterson, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C. “It’s important for HMC’s owners to regularly communicate our appreciation for our staff’s tremendous dedication and hard work. The iPads demonstrate that we are continuing to embrace new technology, provide tools in support of design excellence, while encouraging connectivity among staff and clients.”
Posted in Beyond Architecture | 1 Comment »
We're connected!Happy Holidays from HMC Architects
December 19th, 2011
Posted in Featured
Spreading holiday cheer direct to your computer!
