Congratulations to architect Sarah Dirsa for being named to BD+C’s 40 Under 40 list!

Sarah, HOK’s social responsibility chair and founding director of HOK IMPACT, is passionate about public interest design. Some of her recent pro bono work includes Project Haiti Orphanage & Children’s Center and Potentials Resale Boutique. She was also instrumental in bringing the Next American City Vanguard Conference to St. Louis in 2012.

Click here to read more about Sarah and her fellow 40 Under 40 awardees from BD+C.

Congratulations to the St. Louis Science Center, which is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium today! This hyperboloid structure, designed by HOK Founding Partner Gyo Obata, opened on April 16, 1963, in Forest Park.

“The strength comes from the shape,” HOK architect Roger McFarland said in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article. “Think of an egg; it’s tiny but strong. It’s a beautifully simple concept. But once you start looking at the construction photographs, you realize how difficult it is to build something so simple.”

In 1966, architecture students from Washington University in St. Louis unknowingly started a holiday tradition when they tied an enormous bow around the planetarium’s roof. The prank was a hit; the Science Center now features the decoration every December. In a nod to that tradition, the building is currently sporting a golden bow to mark the 50^th anniversary.

Below is a vintage shot we pulled out of our archives. Be sure to check out the Post-Dispatch’s gallery to see more great photos from the past 50 years.

Accenture this week released the results of a study that highlights what makes women happy (in the workplace, at least), just in time for International Women’s Day 2013, which happens to be this Friday, March 8. The study concluded that women are more interested in flexibility than in money and that work-life balance (we’ll have to save trying to define what that means for another time) is the number one quality women find in the workplace.

The report goes on to say that, for most women, happiness in the workforce is measured by flexibility, workplace relationships, and job stability.  The top ways that women define personal success?  Having a family and happiness.

The question, dear reader, is what do you think about this?  Why is flexibility so important to women?  We see more and more women continue to achieve professional success and, at the same time, we also see that work-life balance is extremely important.  Are these two goals in conflict with each other, or do they go hand-in-hand?  What does “having it all” – i.e. professional success and a personal life – look like?

Read the Accenture report here.

Another interesting read about “having it all” on PandoDaily and how it looks different for different people.

It seems a bit counterintuitive at first.  Schwartz states that they key to achieving greater productivity is not found through getting swept up in a whirlwind of working/going/doing longer and faster, rather, it is found in quite the opposite state: that of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Schwartz’s thesis comes down to this point: the amount of time in a day to complete our tasks is finite.  No matter how productive we are, we cannot come up with more time.  What we can control, however, is the amount of energy we have to spend on accomplishing these tasks. Energy may not be infinite, but it is renewable, and it is in our power to find ways to renew it.

It may seem absurd to take more breaks on our busiest weeks, knowing we may lose “precious” minutes of work time, but those are the weeks we most need breaks. Even knowing this, taking a break from work – even if just to step out for a short lunch break – can be hard to do. An overwhelming number of employees eat lunch at their desk every day, which makes for 9+ hour days of sitting straight through the day. (Speaking of eating at one’s desk…have you seen the funny site Sad Desk Lunch? This hits pretty close to home for many of us!)

A few good quick restorative options are to take a brisk walk, hit up a spin class at a nearby gym, or book a short massage during your lunch break. Many days, this just may not be possible. On those days when you simply can’t take the time off, there are other theories of productivity boosters such as the tried-and-true quick fix of looking at picture of puppies which, the ever reliable sources, HuffPo and BuzzFeed, say are “scientifically proven” to increase your productivity. (In case BuzzFeed is blocked at your place of work, I’m including an example of one such puppy photo  for you here:

Super Cute Puppy

Or you could try and incorporate exercise into your work day on those busy days. For inspiration on work-incorporated exercise, check out the conference bike and the walking meeting concepts.

Schwartz realized the power of renewal first-hand while writing his fourth and fifth books, which he did using the 90-minute interval technique. This interval naturally aligns with our bodies’ rhythm and signals when we need breaks at the end of each cycle—but we generally ignore these signals and opt for a sugar, caffeine, or adrenaline for a boost instead. Schwartz found that when he worked in four 90-minutes cycles per day, with renewal breaks in between, he churned out his books twice as fast, even though he spent fewer hours working on them each day. He believes that energizing ourselves is so important that he founded a company called The Energy Project to do just that for employees of companies ranging from Google to Cleveland Clinic.  To paraphrase The Energy Project’s motto: “Work Hard. Renew Hard.”

Productivity is also inextricably tied to the amount of sleep we get each night.  We all are aware of the importance of a good night’s sleep before a big exam or athletic competition, but often overlook the old regular nights.  We can so easily get caught up in the vicious cycle of working late, which leads to staying up late to accomplish the rest of the things we need to do, which leads to waking up tired…and then doing it all over again the next day. Sleep can also be compromised if your boss is under the misconception that emailing at all hours of the day or night is an indication of a strong work ethic — which is slightly ironic, since sleeping too little is one of the major predictors of on-the-job burn-out!

Because getting more sleep each night and taking daytime naps are not a reality for many people, striking a healthy work-life balance and taking renewal breaks during the day may be the only solution for increasing productivity.

To review:
Q: Besides increased sleep, how else can we increase productivity?
A: Relaxation and renewal. (And looking at pictures of baby animals…maybe.)

Now then, go forth and relax!

This post, written by HOK President Bill Hellmuth, originally appeared on the U.S. Green Building Council‘s blog.

What do a 5.5 million-square-foot research university in Saudi Arabia and a 6,000-square-foot orphanage in Haiti have in common? Inspired by sustainable architecture on two vastly different scales, their bond will soon help hundreds of children begin their journeys home.

The HOK team that designed the LEED-NC Platinum King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) campus in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, earned a $50,000 award. Instead of dividing this money among the team, Science + Technology Director Bill Odell and other project leaders set out to donate the $50,000 to a needy cause.

I’m delighted that HOK’s team decided to donate their money to the USGBC’s Project Haiti Orphanage and Children’s Center in Port-au-Prince. Since June 2011, an all-volunteer HOK IMPACT team has worked on their own time and in partnership with the USGBC to design this special project, which replaces an orphanage destroyed by the 2010 earthquake.

KAUST was the first of what has grown to a list of 16 LEED Platinum projects designed by our people. We anticipate that Project Haiti, a net-zero energy project targeting LEED Platinum and inspired by principles of biomimicry, will be added to that list. Our hope is that this donation that began with KAUST – a high-tech example of next-generation sustainable design – plants seeds that will advance a new generation of safe, sustainable design in Haiti, where 80 percent of the population lives in poverty.

Our team’s $50,000 donation comes one month after HOK Chairman Emeritus Bill Valentine quietly made a $20,000 personal gift to Project Haiti. Bill has devoted his career to helping others, so we were delighted but not surprised. He allowed us to make his donation public for one reason: because it could influence others to donate. When we factor in these donations with our people’s pro-bono design time, direct expenses and other individual donations, HOK’s total contribution to Project Haiti exceeds $300,000. Every team member says they have received much more than they have given.

We thank the USGBC for this opportunity to make a positive impact, both in the developing world and in the world of sustainable design. The most exciting news is that the USGBC has nearly raised enough money to begin construction this spring, which would enable the orphanage to open one year later.

We’re almost there! With your help, the USGBC can close the funding gap. Please give today and contribute to planting Project Haiti’s seeds of hope.

Thanks to our builders and strategists:

Builders:
Jasmine Brown, Deinte Dan-Princewill, Alex Lara and Leming Yang.

Candy Strategists: Lauren Flemister, Ashley Craig and Sara Bullington

…and those who came to support and vote!

Follow the link below to explore more on the built pavilion:

http://www.architectmagazine.com/lighting/a-skyspace-in-houston.aspx

A Skyspace in Houston – Lighting – Architect Magazine Page 1 of 3

James Turrell’s latest project is an architectural pavilion that frames an artwork—and an artwork that accomplishes an architectural feat.

On the fourth anniversary of our BIM Day, we are embarking on another leg of our journey to buildingSMART. As BIM has become synonymous with a specific software tool (like Revit), we recognize the need to expand our approach to more collaborative methodologies. Over the past three years, HOK has been developing new ways of designing and delivering our projects – thus transforming our business platform. We now celebrate this phase by evolving our BIM Day into HOK buildingSMART Day.

The date – November 5 – has remained. Due to the disruption of Hurricane Sandy in the northeastern United States, however, we have rescheduled our celebrations.

For the first time, HOK’s buildingSMART leaders will conduct a live Twitter chat on Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 12-1 pm EST using the hashtag #hokbimday. The live chat will be hosted by HOK’s buildingSMART Director, James Vandezande (@jvandezande), and the St. Louis office buildingSMART Manager, Brok Howard (@brokhoward). You can submit questions in advance to HOK’s Twitter account @HOKNetwork, but topics we’ll discuss will include:

• The difference between BIM and buildingSMART
• What the future holds for AEC technology
• Skills for working in today’s modern firms
• Tips for enhanced collaboration

USA Today just published a pair of articles about green building that are critical of the USGBC and the LEED rating system.

As early adopters of LEED, we are big supporters of this rating system. Since the late 1990s, we have watched it trigger a remarkable transformation toward designing and building more environmentally responsible buildings. This includes contributing to a broad public awareness about the importance of sustainable design.

LEED has sparked the development of completely new industries, market opportunities and products that promote green building. It has aligned commercial and environmental interests, and its contributions to our economy have proven resilient during the recession.

We have seen LEED generate many verifiable positive performance outcomes in existing buildings, new construction, homes, interior fit-outs and neighborhoods. This includes reduced resource consumption, an increased bottom line, and improved health and welfare for occupants. These “triple bottom line” benefits for the environment, economy and people are what sustainability is all about. With the right team and client, we know this can be achieved at very little or no additional first costs and with significant long-term savings.

LEED is an optional rating system. One clear sign of its success is that some entities choose to adopt LEED as a way to set a baseline standard and then incentivize its use. The impact of the system on non-LEED buildings through the creation of best practices in sustainability is undeniable.

With the recent development of high-performance codes and standards such as the new International Green Construction Code, the industry is moving toward a codified approach to driving better performance in buildings. This is all for the good. The 20th-century standard practices for developing our built environment must change to align with the needs of our planet.

LEED can and must be improved of course. That’s what is happening now as part of the consensus-based development process,where  the proposed fourth version of the LEED rating system is currently out for its fifth round of public comment.

LEED is a powerful idea that has contributed to a sea change in our approach to the built environment. It has pushed us in the right direction. Let’s recognize that.

For well-informed reactions to the USA Today articles, I encourage you to read Nadav Malin’s post.

Greenbuild 2012, the world’s largest green building conference, is coming to San Francisco Nov. 14-16.

This year’s social media focus brings together technology and sustainability to advance the green movement. You can follow HOK’s activities on Twitter at @HOKNetwork. Be sure to also check out Greenbuild’s official Twitter feed – @Greenbuild – and conversation at #Greenbuild.

HOK’s sustainable design experts will be busy at Greenbuild, speaking at the conference and other related events. Read more below and visit the Greenbuild website to learn more about the conference and expo.

Project Haiti

Greenbuild sessions:

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 1 p.m.
Green Building Gets Social: Sustainability and Social Media
HOK’s Jodi Williams with Ron Reeves of Herman Miller and Hal Myers of CBRE
HOK events | Event website

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 3 p.m.
Project Haiti: A Sustainable Model for Rebuilding in Haiti
HOK’s Thomas Knittel with Roger Limoges of USGBC and Gina Duncan of Fondation Enfant Jesus
HOK events | Event website

Thursday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m.
Integrating Environmental Analysis into a BIM Workflow
HOK’s Amy Patel and Joyce Chan with Paul Stoller of Atelier Ten US
HOK events | Event website

The Old Mint

Pre-Greenbuild events:

Monday, Nov. 12, 3:35 p.m.
Green City 2012 (Greenbuild French delegation event)
HOK’s Mara Baum on water efficiency
HOK events | Event website

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 1 p.m.
Architecture for Humanity’s Design Like You Give a Damn: LIVE!
HOK’s Thomas Knittel on Project Haiti
HOK events | Event website

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2:20 p.m.
EPA Green Historic Preservation Initiative West Coast Symposium
HOK’s Paul Woolford and Zorana Bosnic on San Francisco’s Old Mint
HOK events | Event website

Thirty-four-year architectural veteran Russ Drinker, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, joined the leadership team in HOK’s San Francisco office on Sept 4. as a new senior vice president and management principal.

As a pre-teen growing up in a 150-year-old Victorian farmhouse surrounded by an apple orchard in Saratoga, California, Russ built tree houses and forts. By the time he began studying architecture at the University of California in Berkeley in 1976, he had graduated to designing and constructing 2,000-square-foot solar homes.

“I had no business doing this, but I designed and built a custom house while an undergraduate at Berkeley,” said Russ. “It taught me about designing buildings from the inside-out and about sustainability. And I really enjoyed the client relationship.”

In search of a new experience, Russ took his undergraduate degree and headed east to New York City. Over the next 10 years, he worked for two firms while earning his Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University in 1986. He also ran his own firm, designing high-end residential and commercial projects. During this decade in New York, Russ had the opportunity to study with Steven Holl and work with architects including Thom Mayne, David Rockwell and Paul Rudolph.

“Working in an urban setting, managing lots of projects, absorbing how these world class architects ran their practices and worked in the studio, and studying history and theory at Columbia enriched my orientation to the design profession,” he said. “It was all quite distinct from anything I had experienced on the West Coast. But it also gave me a comprehensive grasp of project design and delivery.”

While in New York City, Russ also married Deb Holdeman, whom he had met while at UC Berkeley and was then working on her masters at Yale. They married in 1988 and in 1990 decided to move back to the West Coast to be closer to their families. Russ also wanted to have the opportunity to work on more new buildings.

Back in the Bay Area, Russ continued to enjoy design but found himself gravitating toward operations while in leadership roles at a series of mid-sized firms. “I was fascinated by what it took to run a successful architectural practice,” he said.

In 1997, Drinker joined MBT Architecture in San Francisco. Less than a year later, he was elevated to director of operations. Within three years, he was named CEO. In 2010, the MBT board agreed to have their 75-person firm be acquired by Perkins+Will, with Russ becoming managing director of the San Francisco office and then regional director of its practice in Southeast Asia. His experience there included research and academic projects on six University of California campuses and several at Stanford University. He also led a Green Mark Platinum project for the National Research Foundation in Singapore and a new 32-million-sq.-ft. campus for Princess Noura University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Russ joins HOK in San Francisco management committee members Paul Woolford, Lynn Filar and Rob Tibbetts in leading HOK’s offices in San Francisco and Seattle. He brings to HOK a reputation for leading large-scale, challenging, sustainable projects through innovative project delivery methods and a history of acting as an agent for strategic change.

What are the challenges facing architecture firms today?

Our clients are stressed by many issues related to globalization, the economy and technology. Their needs are changing rapidly. We need to help them look over the horizon to see what they want to be in the future and then create environments that will help them get there.

The ultimate measure of our success is whether we give clients what they need to thrive. I believe we need to provide design excellence, thought leadership, technical innovation and a great delivery experience. If we can act as their trusted advisors, and not just architects, clients will come back to us.

How is project delivery changing?

The rulebook for designing and delivering projects has been thrown away. From design-build to P3, every method is being looked at and new hybrids invented for every project. This experimentation with delivery methods is a huge challenge for design professionals and our clients.

Design is a team effort. I don’t think you can achieve excellent design or technological expertise or innovation without strong management. Design firms need to position themselves to lead projects in every kind of delivery method and then be fast and decisive. We can and should be leading these projects holistically.

You were named one of the “101 Leaders in Sustainable City Making and Theory” by Professor Steffen Lehmann in The Principles of Green Urbanism. What are the next frontiers for sustainability?

Technology that enables sustainable solutions is improving. The regulatory environment is changing to favor sustainability. Client support for sustainability is increasing because it can be achieved economically. All this means that building incredibly sustainable projects at market rates is no longer a pipe dream.

There has been a rapid pivot to looking beyond LEED to designing buildings that are net zero in terms of energy, carbon emissions, waste and water use. We want to look past that to creating climate-positive projects.

The technical nature of highly sustainable projects means we need to include great engineers as part of the team from the beginning. HOK’s in-house engineers are critical to our ability to designing integrated, sustainable building systems.

I am interested in restorative projects that go beyond individual buildings to impact entire communities. I have spent time in developing cities across Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa that are stressed in every possible way. We need to be leaders in working with clients and local governments on long-term sustainable planning, which would preserve natural resources and environmental quality but, just as importantly, protect the local cultures. The more we can look at all the interrelationships of the large-scale systems, the more effective we can be at the building level. There is a huge opportunity to move away from the idea of individual high performance buildings to looking at the entire social and economic community.

What do you like to do when you are not working?

Whether it is drawing, building, literature or music, I have always been pulled to creative endeavors.

I have played bass guitar since the fifth grade. As a kid, I played in some bands and thought maybe I could make a living in rock and roll until I considered that I was not an extraordinarily gifted musician! But I still enjoy playing and collecting all types of instruments. I have basses, marimbas, steel drums and collect musical instruments from all over the world.

Family is important to me. My wife and I have an 18-year-old daughter and we live in Oakland in a 100-year-old home that we restored. We live in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, which is a model of mixed-use urban development and walkability. We can walk to shopping, restaurants and the BART station.

I like to travel. I enjoy the cultural traditions, history and people of Asia. I also participate in all types of sports – activities like snow or water skiing, mountain biking or kite boarding at Lake Tahoe.