Xref
Back from Haiti, Ready to Inspire
February 14th, 2012
By Kaysha Bucher, Interior Designer
One year ago, I submitted a proposal for HMC’s Xref travel fellowship to realize my long-awaited aspiration of making a difference. With a love for children and a dream in my heart to see schools built abroad, I took a leap of faith into an experience that has furthered my passion to see change across the world. For me, this leap started in Haiti. Now back in the states, I’m thankful and appreciative for this opportunity to travel and make a difference.
Continue Reading…
Posted in Xref | 1 Comment »
Assessing Earthquake-Damaged Schools in Haiti
February 2nd, 2012
By Kaysha Bucher, Interior Designer
Part of my Xref journey and task here in Haiti is to help with the assessment of 200 Catholic schools across the country. Schools for Children of the World has hired 11 teams trained to assess existing conditions of these schools by using a special assessment program for the iPad. Over the last three days, I have been all over the Haitian countryside to accomplish the given task. Starting on Monday morning, Alex and I were assigned to visit four schools in the city of Miragoane, Haiti. The drive to Miragoane is a bumpy one and takes about two hours from Leogane.
Along with our translator and driver, we arrived at our first school site, Ecole Notre Dame de Lourdes, holding 749 students and 17 professors. The main buildings were badly damaged in the earthquake, six of which are still partially in use. The remaining classes are held in three temporary structures on the school site, totaling to nine buildings on site. The school director mentioned that if they could have more classrooms, they could enroll another 300+ children waiting to attend the school the coming year.
Continue Reading…
Posted in Xref | 1 Comment »
Update from Haiti: School Site Visits
January 30th, 2012
By Kaysha Bucher, Interior Designer
Upon arrival at the Port-au-Prince airport, myself and project coordinator, Alex, were picked up by Jason, a project leader and architect for Schools for Children of the World. Thankfully, all of our baggage made it safely and we shuffled our way through the chaos of porters offering to help us with our bags. Jason, thankful to have the company of new visitors, was a thorough tour guide speaking to the bustling activity as we bumped our way through the streets of Port-au-Prince to our final destination of Leogane, Haiti. Leogane was the epicenter of the 2010 earthquake, and although the streets are active, it is much calmer than the city.
Continue Reading…
Posted in Xref | 1 Comment »
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
Xref Greetings from Denmark
July 13th, 2011
By Ruth Oh
Today is my third day here on my Xref trip and first day of cycling the bike route 6, beginning in Odense and ending the day in Nyborg. The path took us through breathtaking plains, winding woods, and colorfully quaint provincial towns. While the summer months here are known to be very rainy, we have had cooperative 70 degree sunny weather so far. Some sunscreen and plenty of water were required for today’s ride.
Posted in Xref
Xref Trip: Biking Denmark
June 6th, 2011
By Ruth Oh
While planning for my ten-day Xref trip to Denmark, I conjure up images of quaint villages, windmills, miles of open fields, and resting stops at medieval churches and Viking ruins. In preparation for my trip next month, I have done considerable research into the route I will be riding as well as accommodations and sites along the way.
Posted in Xref | 1 Comment »
Xref Update: Haiti on the Horizon
May 13th, 2011
By Kaysha Bucher, Interior Design Coordinator
It’s finally sinking in that I’m really going to Haiti for my Xref trip. With the planning in the works and my departure just around the corner, the realization that I have this opportunity to travel to Haiti is significant and meaningful for me. I am thankful for all the support from our HMC team as I eagerly prepare for my upcoming venture in August.
Posted in Xref | 1 Comment »
AIACC on Xref
March 30th, 2011
Each spring, HMC Architects awards two travel fellowships to meritorious employees to encourage the exploration of other cultures and to strengthen the creative ethos of the firm. All employees, regardless of position, are invited to submit a proposal to go anywhere in the world, describing how that experience would contribute to their personal vision and professional growth. Read the full article on AIACC’s website.
Posted in Articles & Publications,Xref
Paid to Play: Company Travel Fellowship Program Encourages Exploration of Cultures to Inspire, Rejuvenate Staff
March 22nd, 2011
Each spring, HMC Architects awards two travel fellowships to meritorious employees to encourage the exploration of other cultures and to strengthen the creative ethos of the firm. All employees, regardless of position, are invited to submit a proposal to go anywhere in the world, describing how that experience would contribute to their personal vision and professional growth. Out of 24 entries received from employees throughout California and Nevada, the winners of the competition are Kaysha Bucher, Los Angeles, and Ruth Oh, Ontario, Calif. Each received a $4,000 travel stipend and an additional week of paid time off to complete their proposed journey.
Continue Reading…
Posted in News Releases,Xref
