Posted for guest blogger Mary Ann Lazarus, FAIA, LEED® AP BD+C, HOK’s director of sustainable design and all around rock star.

There’s an awful lot to do at this week’s AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in New Orleans. In addition to the programs, parties, expo and general meet and greet, I’m looking forward to participating on a panel on Net Zero Energy buildings that is being hosted by Building Design and Construction.

I’ll be talking about HOK’s experience on our Net Zero emissions  prototype commercial office building along with our teammate David Eijadi from The Weidt Group. Other panelists include representatives …

With all due respect to Brad Pitt and his ‘Make it Right’ Foundation, what they are doing in New Orleans is wrong.

Yes, I understand what happened in August of 2005 was horrible, and yes I also know it takes a lot of effort from Mr. Pitt and everyone involved to accomplish what they set out to do: build 150 houses for the residents who lost everything in the 9th Ward. So bear with me for a second, or until you think I’m just an idiot.

Having never been to New Orleans, I can utterly say that I was shocked. I wasn’t expecting the French Quarter to be so dense or Bourbon Street to …

I’m visiting the HOK Saint Louis office, training with about 20 of my colleagues – many of whom I have never met, many of whom I have emailed repeatedly, and a couple of people I know pretty well.  It’s always fun to meet new people – I find that every time we do some sort of multi-office training program I come away with a couple of new friends and tons of great ideas for how to be better at my job.

This is the first time I’ve visited the STL office.  I must say it is fabulous!  In my 3.5 years at HOK, I’ve had lots of opportunities to travel.  …