Category Archives: Awards

Jenessa Van Deen and Maya Miller proudly displaying the Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Certification at the AIA North Carolina Awards in Charlotte, October 26, 2023

AIA North Carolina Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Certification

On October 26, HH Architecture accepted the Emerging Professional Friendly Firm (EPFF) Certification at the AIA North Carolina Awards in Charlotte. This designation honors architecture firms that create supportive, career-advancing environments for emerging professionals to flourish as diverse, creative, resilient, and knowledgeable architects.

 

Principal and Director of Operations, Jenessa Van Deen, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, GGP, and Architectural Designer, Maya Miller, were present to receive the official certificate. Jenessa is a leader in our firm for mentorship and supporting the career advancement needs of our designers. Maya explained why Jenessa’s role and the overall environment of working for an Emerging Professional Friendly Firm is meaningful to her.

“Having worked at HH Architecture for only a short time, I have already been able to get practical, hands-on experience in many areas of the profession, which has helped me as I prepare to take my Architectural Registration Exams. Our firm’s work environment fosters a sense of creativity, project ownership, and collaboration. An essential part of my experience here is the relationships I have been able to form with more experienced designers and architects. Their insights and willingness to share information is integral to my growth at HH Architecture.”

Paige Kopf, an Architectural Designer and Project Captain, is another EP on our team who is currently working toward licensure. She was excited to share her thoughts on HH Architecture receiving this certification and the importance of supporting EPs.

“Having support from the firm on my journey to licensure has been critical. When I first started here, my AXP supervisor assigned me to projects that gave me wider exposure to different typologies and phases, which also enabled me to complete my AXP hours. I came to HH Architecture with limited exposure in only a few areas, but I’ve now gained enough experience and guidance to serve as a Project Captain. It’s meant a lot to me that the firm has offered tangible support.

The firm encourages us all to set personal and professional goals and, this year, my biggest goal has been passing AREs. HH Architecture has provided access to study resources as well as paid time to take exams and exam reimbursement for each division passed. These benefits have motivated me to stay focused on my goal, and I’ve been able to pass several divisions so far. I’m grateful that HH Architecture is a cheerleader for every EP on individual paths to licensure and celebrates when one of our team members becomes a licensed Architect!“

As a firm, we are excited to continue our work fostering the growth and celebrating the accomplishments of our EPs!

To learn more about this certification, visit https://www.aia.org/resources/6607048-aia-nc-emerging-professional-friendly-firm

City of Raleigh’s Climate Action Award for Energy: WTCC Central Energy Plant

On Friday, April 21st, 2023, Wake Technical Community College was awarded the Climate Action Award for Energy at the 2023 Environmental Awards Ceremony. This event was hosted at Dix Park by the City of Raleigh in celebration of Earth Day and environmental stewardship.

The award recognizes the Central Energy Plant project, which was the first green building completed on Wake Tech’s  future eco-friendly Eastern Wake Campus. As part of a design-build team, HH Architecture worked closely with Wake Tech to develop a cutting-edge energy system incorporating solar power, geothermal energy, and other renewable sources to reduce the amount of energy to heat and cool the entire campus. This facility was also designed to serve as learning site for students in green technology courses provided by the college.

We are honored to contribute to a project that exemplifies the potential for sustainable design to transform the way we consume energy and reduce our impact on the environment. HH Architecture remains committed to sustainable design and enjoys when the clients’ objectives align with ours.

Learn more about the Central Energy Plant project here.

 

HH Architecture selected as Firm of the Year by AIA NC

Winston-Salem, N.C., Nov. 3, 2022 – The American Institute of Architects North Carolina chapter announced this year’s Firm of the Year at its annual Design and Chapter Awards ceremony at Footnote at Foothills Brewing Company in Winston-Salem, N.C. This is the highest honor awarded to a firm by the Institute.

HH Architecture was selected as AIA NC Firm of the Year for its track record of outstanding community design, steady growth, and projected future success. The Firm Award is given annually to one architectural firm practicing for at least 10 years and led by AIA NC members.

“We are thrilled to be chosen as Firm of the Year for the State of N.C.,” said Founder and CEO, Kristen M. Hess. “This award signifies the 17 years of work our staff has put into creating outstanding design. It is an honor to be named among the most impactful architectural firms in the state. We couldn’t be more excited to continue growing and delivering inspired, functional design to our clients.”

HH Architecture is a proud member of the N.C. architecture community and has designed hundreds of projects across the state. The firm has designed major landmark projects, including an addition to the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, a master plan for the N.C. Zoological Park, and the new state-of-the-art Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center. HH Architecture is also currently designing significant renovation and addition projects for the N.C. Museum of Art and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

Earlier this year, Founder and CEO, Kristen M. Hess was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Person of the Year for N.C.

About AIA NC: The American Institute of Architects North Carolina is the professional organization for architects in the state. Headquartered at 14 E. Peace St in Raleigh, the Institute promotes the architecture profession on governmental, community, and educational levels and throughout the construction industry. Visit aia.org/northcarolina

Barkitecture 2022: HH Architecture Takes Home People’s Choice Award!

On Saturday, October 8th HH Architecture sponsored and participated in the 2022 Barkitecture competition, an annual event hosted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Triangle Chapter. The goal of this one-of-a-kind pet architecture and design competition is to raise money for local animal shelters. At the end of the event, each custom pet architecture is auctioned off and all proceeds go to help pets in need.

HH Architecture competed against many talented teams and took home the People’s Choice Award for our Camp Barkitecture design. Inspired by our design portfolio of recreational and natural space designs, the HH Architecture team developed this dwelling to offer the comforts of home with openness of the great outdoors. The water-resistant shell encases a structure that can be flat packed for when you’re ready to hit the open road; and plush bed provides comfort during campfire stories or a starlight snooze.

All proceeds from the event went to this year’s charity partners – Paw Prints Animal Rescue and Freedom Ride Rescue. Paw Prints Animal Rescue is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the population of homeless cats and dogs by maintaining two programs — a Rescue and Adoption Program and a Feral Cat Management Program. Freedom Ride Rescue is led by fosters who take in shelter dogs until they are adopted. They provide vet care, training, supplies and hold weekly adoption events around the Triangle.

Learn about how you can help support these charity partners below:

Kristen M. Hess Selected as Small Business Person of the Year for North Carolina by U.S. Small Business Administration

Kristen and other award winners from across the U.S. to be honored during National Small Business Week: “Building a Better America Through Entrepreneurship” May 2-6, 2022.

Raleigh, NC, May 2, 2022 – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced this year’s Small Business Person of the Year winners – over 50 outstanding small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the United States.

Kristen M. Hess, Principal and CEO of HH Architecture has been selected as North Carolina’s Small Business Person of the Year for her outstanding achievements as a small business owner. This year’s award highlights the resilience, ingenuity, and creativity many small business owners relied on to navigate the pandemic and our nation’s economic comeback.

“I am honored and elated to have been selected for this prestigious award,” said Principal and CEO, Kristen M. Hess. “Being named the SBA North Carolina Small Business Person of the Year is not only a wonderful reminder of the core values that I strive to embody, but a testament of my commitment to serving, mentoring, and addressing the needs of North Carolina’s people and communities.”

HH Architecture is a proud member of the small business community in the Research Triangle region and 32.5 million small businesses across the United States. Kristen has worked on major landmark projects across the state including the North Carolina State Farmers Market Master Plan, the expansion of the North Carolina Zoological Park, and the new state-of-the-art Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center for the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

On Tuesday, May 3 at 10am, Kristen will be honored during an in-person and virtual ceremony for her award. You can register for the ceremony here or attend in-person at the Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center at 4400 Reedy Creek Rd. in Raleigh, room A300A. Kristen is available for interviews upon request.

About HH Architecture: Founded in 2005 and based in Raleigh, NC, HH Architecture is a full-service design and architecture firm with clients in the public and private sectors. HH Architecture designs spaces for discovery, wellness, recreation and civic service that are flexible, durable and adaptable. Visit hh-arch.com

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