Learn / Thought leadership

Office Renovation Soup to Nuts (but remember to brush your teeth)
September 06, 2013 AdminHBA Design, Wisdom (Lessons Learned)

Office Renovation Soup to Nuts (but remember to brush your teeth)

Ok, it’s story time.  This is a story about a dentist office renovation that is very close to my heart (and teeth).  Since I am still relatively new on the architecture scene, this little renovation was the first project that I managed from soup to nuts: from initial design meetings with the client to final […]
Leadership According to Courtney Lynch
March 05, 2013 AdminHBA Wisdom (Lessons Learned)

Leadership According to Courtney Lynch

I recently attended a Professional Woman’s Leadership Lunch Series, and took away some value insights about leadership, let me share… Being a member of management does not make you a leader. Influencing outcomes and inspiring others-now there’s a leader. Demonstrate credible performance consistently. Understand priority standards of the organization you are part of. Do you […]
Architecture Unemployment: A Reaction
July 09, 2012 AdminHBA Design, Wisdom (Lessons Learned)

Architecture Unemployment: A Reaction

A recent publication from Georgetown University entitled “Not All College Degrees Are Created Equal” shed light on some harsh realities that recently graduating college students have to face.  Relevant to our profession, recently hired Architecture graduates are staring down the possibility of losing their jobs to the tune of 13.9% unemployment, the highest number in […]
The Practice of Architecture from Three Perspectives
May 14, 2012 AdminHBA Events, Wisdom (Lessons Learned)

The Practice of Architecture from Three Perspectives

Recently, three of us from HBA had the privilege of speaking to a group of architecture students at Hampton University. Since students often work solo on projects with unlimited budgets, we attempted to bring a heavy dose of reality through the topic “A Day in the Life of an Architect.” The lecture was given from […]
HBA weighs in on the Army’s move away from LEED

HBA weighs in on the Army’s move away from LEED

Earlier this month we read a blog on the Army’s new strategy toward sustainable buildings, and the part that raised some eyebrows: it doesn’t involve the USGBC’s LEED Rating System. Instead, it seems that the Army is developing its own set of standards based on ASHRAE 189.1 “Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings.” […]
Networking Success
February 06, 2012 AdminHBA People, Wisdom (Lessons Learned)

Networking Success

You just never know when and how networking will pay off!  I am relatively new to networking. My networking started as Public Relations Chair for the Southeastern Virginia Mustang Club, mainly seeking donations and sponsorships for charity car shows. Shortly after I took this position, the talk of networking started at HBA Architecture & Interior […]
Kids say the darndest things…about Architecture!
November 08, 2010 AdminHBA People, Wisdom (Lessons Learned)

Kids say the darndest things…about Architecture!

One of the wonderful things about working here at HBA Architecture and Interior Design is the abundant amount of young children those of us have here in the office.  We parents and grandparents would like to think that our children are probably better versed in what goes into planning, designing, and ultimately constructing a building.  […]
Kellam High School Replacement – Slated for LEED® Platinum

Kellam High School Replacement – Slated for LEED® Platinum

The new 2,000 student Kellam High School will be the pilot facility for a problem/project-based learning curriculum recently adopted by the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach. This educational facility has been designed not only as a teaching tool, but as a community facility dedicated to 21st century learning. Encouraging learning, exploration, and […]
Material, Design, and Galvanic action…
October 08, 2010 AdminHBA Design, Technology, Wisdom (Lessons Learned)

Material, Design, and Galvanic action…

Screen wall design for Portsmouth Courts Complex – Sungjae Lee I am involved in material research and the detail design for several areas on the new Portsmouth Courts Complex. One example is the screen wall enclosure that hides the chillers, generator and transformer outside the building. Through my experience for the last few projects, this usually […]
Creativity on a Deadline
September 17, 2010 AdminHBA Design, Wisdom (Lessons Learned)

Creativity on a Deadline

Anyone in the design profession knows the feeling. You’ve been sitting for what seems like forever, staring at a sketch page or a piece of trace with pen in hand, but the ideas just won’t come. Time is deliberately ticking away, the end of the day is approaching, but the fact remains that you’re stuck. As […]