Cheers to 20 Years continues!

Our partners are taking a look at how we’ve grown and changed, and where we are headed. They are also reflecting on our values and what they hold in highest regard.

Did you miss Part One? Check it out here.

Which of the firm’s values do you think is most important? How have you seen that value manifested in our work?

Kristen: I used to say that it was “Show Up” (with enthusiasm!). You just can’t fake showing up. But when I look at our other values…how can I choose the most important one!? I will start with: “Be of the community.”  We so often are fortunate to work on projects for which we are not just the designers, but the users! How amazing! As a result, we are excited to work with our clients to build a better future for all of us!  If we haven’t been as familiar with the client’s work, we immerse ourselves and try to become of that community. This really informs all the other values: Show up, Be Inclusive, Listen First, Collaborate…   

I also love that our process includes ‘transcendent.’ So often, our clients will come to us after the project and say, “I knew it would be successful and functional, but I didn’t know it would also be an attraction/retention tool, win awards, be so beautiful, inspiring, transformational, _____ (insert awesome adjective) for ‘we didn’t know it could be this great.’”

Siler: As the firm has grown, I have also grown both professionally and personally. Learning to embrace the value of showing up with enthusiasm and building relationships has helped me realize the long-term connections that can be gained through daily actions. Earning trust begins with being present, committed, and accountable. Being given the opportunity to develop has had a huge impact on my life. Now, I really value that I get to provide similar opportunities for others in the firm.

Dave: Collaborate & Inspire. We believe in a collaborative design process, and that is reflected both internally and with our client partners. We take a partnership approach by helping clients transform their goals, mission, and vision into designs fit for their needs. Additionally, we believe our clients are experts in their fields and we love to learn from them. As a result, we find this allows for an atmosphere of free exchange and exploration, adding inspiration to the process. We never go into a project with preconceived ideas of what the design should be. Likewise, internal to HH Architecture, we believe in a collaborative team approach that allows for diverse perspectives and experiences that influence the project design. This inspires our team – they are able to infuse their passions and expertise into the process, fostering a sense of ownership in their work.

In what ways have you seen HH Architecture grow and change?

Dave: Having been at HH since 2007 (year two of the firm) I have seen the firm grow and change in amazing ways. I’ve seen us grow from six people to almost 50, outgrowing two previous office locations along the way. We’ve advance from AutoCAD to BIM technologies. We’ve also grown as a design firm, undertaking more and more complex projects and typologies over the years.

Siler: Working across typologies has allowed us to take fresh perspective and energy to each new challenge. We’re always building on the lessons learned from the last project. For example, perspective gained from working with a nonprofit can inform the guest experience at a cultural project, and the benefits of social spaces developed for an academic client can be utilized for collaboration spaces in a professional laboratory. Each project is a new challenge, but there is also a connective tissue of experiences that permeates our design culture. 

Jenessa: Recently, our firm underwent a restructuring that has transformed the design studio into a more collaborative environment. This restructuring has fostered a culture of supportive mentorship for our designers. As the Director of Operations, I have witnessed how this nurturing studio atmosphere encourages collaboration, promotes iterative design solutions, and supports mentorship throughout all phases of design and construction.

What do the next 20 years look like for the firm?

Kristen: I hope we continue to work on more exciting projects that help people live, work, heal, serve, and play in a way that is transformational for them!

Jenessa: I’m excited about HH Architecture’s future. I am excited about the projects we will work on and the communities that will interact with the spaces we design. We will continue advocating for our clients and the environment to design sustainable solutions that meet their needs.

Dave: I would hope that the next 20 years would continue and improve upon the values and commitments that we have built thus far. The last 20 years have been a steady growth, and I hope the future will be more of the same.

Siler: As I look forward for HH Architecture, I see incredible potential to build on our positive momentum. We are committed to fostering a studio environment for diverse and talented designers to thrive. I see a continued responsibility to use design to improve our world and have a positive impact on people. Clear, attainable, contextual, and sustainable solutions that create exceptional experiences will always be our goal!

HH Architecture Partners: Kristen M. Hess is Founder and CEO, Dave Carey is Technical Director, Siler Ransmeier is Director of Design, and Jenessa Van Deen is Director of Operations.