RALEIGH, N.C. - HH Architecture is pleased to announce it has relocated its offices to S. Harrington Street in downtown Raleigh, just a few blocks from the newly opened City Plaza. The firm renovated a 4,000 square foot office building to provide more space for their growing staff. The project is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

“We’re thrilled to be moving downtown and contributing to the revitalization of the area,” says Kristen Hess, principal at HH Architecture. “We love Raleigh and are happy we have found a new home that will allow us to enhance our ability to serve our clients.”

Located at 520 S. Harrington Street, the building is adjacent to the culturally vibrant Warehouse District and overlooks the Raleigh Convention Center’s Shimmer Wall. The company designed their new space to maximize day-lighting and energy efficiency. Renovating an existing building reduces waste, utilizes existing infrastructure, and conserves embodied energy. Low VOC paints, carpet, sealants, and adhesives were used throughout the building to maintain a healthy indoor air quality. Local, recycled, and reclaimed materials were used where possible. The firm also installed day-light monitor windows, coupled with a light-sensitive dimming system, to reduce the need for interior lights while also keeping the studio at a relatively constant light level.

“Sustainable and sensible design is part of the foundation of our firm, and we’re excited to be able to demonstrate what we have long known to be good practice,” says Chris Horner, principal at HH Architecture. “Our new office enables us to participate in and contribute to the continued success of downtown Raleigh.”

Founded in 2005, the firm has grown from a staff of three to ten employees. HH Architecture recently won the Pinnacle Award for Steady Growth and Profitability from the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce for the second year in a row. Current projects include the design of the Raleigh Senior Centers at Whitaker Mill Road and Millbrook Exchange Park, the design of Hill Street Park Center, and the master plan for Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Western Campus.

About HH Architecture:

HH Architecture is a design firm focused on creating spaces that promote learning, wellness, and recreation. We are committed to improving the community through conscientious, responsible design. We are accredited professionals in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and have extensive experience with design that minimizes waste and uses resources wisely.

Visit www.hh-arch.com.

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For more information on the Ronald McDonald House or the “Sport a Shirt, Share a Night” campaign, please visit www.ronaldhousedurham.org.

The HH Architecture Team Sporting Ronald McDonald House's "Sport a Shirt, Share a Night" T-Shirt

The team includes Kristen Hess of HH Architecture, Michelle Rich Goode of Rich Commercial Realty, Laura Haulsey of RBC Bank, Katherine Thomas of Progress Energy, and Chris Young of First Citizens Bank.

Recipients were honored at a ceremony on April 29th at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham.

Left to Right: Kristen Hess, Laura Hulsey, Michelle Rich Goode; Not pictured: Katherine Thomas and Chris Young

RALEIGH, N.C. - HH Architecture has been selected as the architect for the expansion and renovation of the N.C. Zoological Park’s Polar Bear exhibit in Asheboro, N.C. The project will allow the Zoo to improve the habitat and living areas for its current resident, Wilhelm, as well as any new bears that are brought to the Zoo.

The expansion will add a new 15,000 sq. ft. habitat area as well as a new 2,400 sq. ft. holding building. A new 7,500 sq. ft. open-air education center will have a glass front viewing area to provide visitors with an up-close experience with the bears. The exhibit will help educate the public on a variety of topics including the reduction the polar bear’s natural habitat due to global warming.

Renovations to the existing holding areas will enlarge the dens and bring in natural light so the bears have a comfortable place to retreat when not on exhibit. The new exhibit areas will be designed to meet the Manitoba Standards for Polar Bears, rigorous guidelines that ensure the support and the well-being of polar bears at the zoo.

The $6.3 million expansion and renovation project will also include retrofitting the existing swimming areas from freshwater to saltwater, as well as energy reduction measures to minimize the environmental impact of the exhibit.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the State of North Carolina and the Zoo. The Polar Bear Exhibit is an incredible asset to our state,” said Kristen Hess, principal at HH Architecture. “Our focus is to make a stronger connection between visitors and the bears.”

The Polar Bear Habitat is the most popular exhibit at the Zoo and is a tourist attraction for the region. This expansion will help attract more visitors for the Zoo.

HH Architecture will lead the team selected for the project. Their team includes: Ursa International, animal habitat and exhibit design; CLH Design, civil engineering; TJP Engineering, life support design; Stroud Pence & Associates, structural engineering; and Stanford White, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical engineering.

About HH Architecture:

HH Architecture is a design firm focused on creating spaces that promote learning, wellness, and recreation. We are committed to improving the community through conscientious, responsible design. We are accredited professionals in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and have extensive experience with design that minimizes waste and uses resources wisely.

Visit www.hh-arch.com

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RALEIGH, N.C. - HH Architecture, a full-service design firm, announced that it has hired Geoffrey Barton as Architectural Intern. His current projects include design work for the Hill Street Park Neighborhood Center and Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Academic Redevelopment.

Mr. Barton specializes in 3D schematic modeling and has a strong interest in sustainable design. Prior to joining HH Architecture, he earned his Master of Architecture from North Carolina State University. Mr. Barton is a 2005 graduate of Wake Forest University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and graduated cum laude. On several occasions he has delivered guest lectures at Wake Forest University, and has been a featured guest columnist for the Raleigh News and Observer’s “Home of the Month” section.

“We are very excited to have Geoffrey join our team,” says Kristen Hess, Principal at HH Architecture. “He is a driven, forward thinker and will not only be an asset for the company, but his expertise will help us further our efforts in sustainable design.”

HH Architecture has expanded its team to increase its design capabilities. The firm was recently presented with the Pinnacle Award for Steady Growth and Profitability from the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Current projects include design of the master plan for the new 60-acre Western Campus at Fayetteville Technical Community College and the renovation of the High Point Central Gymnasium for Guilford County Schools.

About HH Architecture:

HH Architecture is a design firm focused on creating spaces that promote learning, wellness, and recreation. We are committed to improving the community through conscientious, responsible design. We are accredited professionals in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and have extensive experience with design that minimizes waste and uses resources wisely. Visit www.hh-arch.com.

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RALEIGH, N.C. - HH Architecture announced today the expansion of its design team by hiring Chevon File, CDT, as a designer. Ms. File’s projects include design work for the City of Raleigh’s Hill Street Park Neighborhood Center, and the academic redevelopment at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

Ms. File brings nine years of experience as an Associate and Project Architect. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2000, she designed residential developments in the Washington, D.C. area. Ms. File earned her Certified Documents Technologist certification in 2004 and is trained and proficient in Revit Architecture. She is an advocate of new urbanism, transit-oriented development, and sustainable design. Ms. File is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

“Chevon brings tremendous design expertise and allows us to further our efforts in sustainable, responsible design,” says Kristen Hess, Principal of HH Architecture.  “Her caliber of experience will add great strength to our team.”

HH Architecture has been expanding its sustainable design and internal capabilities. The firm was recently presented with the Pinnacle Award for Steady Growth and Profitability from the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Current projects include design of the master plan for the North Carolina State Fairgrounds and design and construction administration for the Sanderford Road Neighborhood Center in Raleigh. HH Architecture was recently selected to design the master plan for Fayetteville Technical Community College’s new western campus.

About HH Architecture:

HH Architecture is a design firm focused on creating spaces that promote learning, wellness, and recreation. We are committed to improving the community through conscientious, responsible design. We are accredited professionals in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and have extensive experience with design that minimizes waste and uses resources wisely.

Visit www.hh-arch.com.

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City officials got a glimpse of what two new senior citizen centers will look like when they’re built in a few years.

City Council members looked at designs for both the center to be built on Whitaker Mill Road, the center for the Millbrook Exchange Park on Spring Forest Road.

The centers will be places for area senior citizens to gather and engage in various activities.

“We’ve had overwhelmingly positive response,” said Raleigh Senior Planner Stephen Bentley. “Seniors are just interested in it getting built.”

Bentley said both designs, which are about 60 percent complete, took into account public feedback. The combined total cost of both projects will be around $7 million. Final design of the projects should be complete by the end of this year, with construction finished by February of 2011.

RALEIGH, N.C. - HH Architecture, a full service design firm based in Raleigh, N.C., has promoted Andrea Frysinger to Design Administrator. Ms. Frysinger will provide operational and design support for a growing staff.

“Since she started at the firm, Andrea has played a critical role helping us expand our in-house capabilities, and we are pleased to offer her an opportunity to advance,” said Kristen Hess, Principal at HH Architecture. “Her engineering background has been a tremendous asset to our clients and staff.”

Ms. Frysinger earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University. She is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Prior to joining HH Architecture, Ms. Frysinger’s diverse experience included civil engineering, GIS, and landscape architecture support on residential and commercial projects.

HH Architecture was recently presented the Pinnacle Award for Steady Growth and Profitability by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Current projects include the academic redevelopment at Fayetteville Technical Community College, renovations at Spencer Hall at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and renovation work at Wake Technical Community College.

About HH Architecture:
HH Architecture is a design firm focused on creating spaces that promote learning, wellness, and recreation. We are committed to improving the community through conscientious, responsible design. We are accredited professionals in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and have extensive experience with design that minimizes waste and uses resources wisely. Visit www.hh-arch.com.

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