What is Biophilia, and Why Does it Matter?
https://issuu.com/globalgamingbusiness/docs/tribal_government_gaming_2018/32
The Guest House at Graceland Hotel Featured in InspireDesign Magazine
Check out the latest feature on The Guest House at Graceland Hotel in the Summer issue of Hotel Business’ InspireDesign Magazine!
Flowers Honored for Achievements in Architecture
See full article in The Commercial Appeal
If some Mobile or New Orleans architects figure out smart new ways to design buildings against hurricanes, how best can that knowledge be spread to architects in other Gulf Coast communities? When young architects are being laid off in a recession, what is an effective way to help them endure and eventually succeed in the field? What technological or cultural changes might disrupt architecture the way Uber and Lyft disrupted transportation, and what’s the best way to prepare?
Those are the kinds of challenges for which Memphis architect Josh Flowers designs solutions and strategies.
His body of work — for creating and leading such programming — is so substantial that he has just been elevated as a fellow in the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Being able to put “FAIA” behind one’s name is a big deal among architects. Only 3 percent of AIA’s 90,000 members have attained the designation. Flowers was among 152 AIA members this year elevated to the College of Fellows. He becomes one of only 16 living Memphis architects who are AIA fellows.
The 40-year-old is both an architect and an attorney. He works as general counsel for HBG Design, headquartered atop the Once Commerce Square tower in Downtown Memphis.
He designed buildings early in his career. “Now, I see it more as designing strategy,” Flowers said Friday. “I’m still using design-thinking but not applying it in a traditional way. It’s about design-thinking regardless of how you apply it.”
Relatively few architects engage with and contribute to the national architecture industry as much as Flowers. He’s a past president of AIA Memphis and president-elect of AIA Tennessee.
Beyond fulfilling the responsibilities of those offices, Flowers has shown a passion for promoting architecture education, mentoring young architects and creating collaboration in professional communities across the U.S.
‘A rock star in AIA’
In 2014, he was recipient of an AIA Young Architects award.
“Josh is a rock star in AIA,” Mark Weaver, a principal at HBG Design and also an AIA fellow, said in a prepared statement. “… It’s terrific to see Josh’s commitment to the AIA and his focus on advancing careers in architecture being honored so appropriately.”
Flowers started working with AIA Memphis during the Great Recession. “We had a lot of people at the time who were young architects, laid off,” he recalled. “I was getting a lot of questions about helping them if they are starting their own firm and things like that. “Then we were trying to see if there’s a way we can do more than helping one or two individuals in Memphis, and reaching out to more of the national organizations.”
He has also promoted continuing education in architecture “so once architects are practicing there’s a way to advance their skills and look at all the ways design is changing and taking advantage of opportunities.”
Designing smarter
He recently help lead a “practice innovation lab” in Washington. “Bringing together 60 of the most promising architects around the country … and we asked them to look at the problem of how we are practicing differently. We got several outcomes looking at the next five years,” Flowers said.
Flowers also helped develop a design symposium about how regional architecture is done differently from place to place. The symposium spread from University of Memphis to Tulane to University of Arkansas to Auburn. Much of the focus has been on resilience.
“Projects on the Gulf Coast have to be designed differently,” he said. “When we have a natural occurrence (like a hurricane), it doesn’t mean a whole city gets displace if you’re designing smarter.
“What are the lessons learned from Katrina and New Orleans? How do we spread that work to the rest of the region?”
Other architects may design an award-winning building and derive great satisfaction from that lasting achievement. Flowers feels good about designing strategies and solutions that help both architects and communities, also for the long-term.
He said, “Now that we’re out of the recession and you can see those young architects who were laid off starting their own firms and working on significant projects in their communities, it is good to see the result of that work.”
Flowers and the other 151 new class of fellows will be honored in June at an investiture ceremony at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2018 in New York City.
HBG Design Architect Josh Flowers Elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
HBG Design is proud to announce that architect Josh Flowers, FAIA, General Counsel of HBG Design, has been elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
A Past President of the AIA Memphis chapter and President-Elect of the AIA Tennessee chapter, Flowers is a passionate advocate and exemplary leader whose level of engagement and contribution to the national architecture industry is largely unmatched. Beyond his executive level work with AIA, Josh has dedicated his service to architecture education and mentorship of young architects, creating collaborative impact in communities across the nation.
“Josh is a rock star in AIA, having held many of the offices at the national, state and local levels and as a 2014 recipient of an AIA Young Architects award,” says Mark Weaver, FAIA, Principal at HBG Design in Memphis, TN, and Past President of AIA Tennessee. “It’s terrific to see Josh’s commitment to the AIA and his focus on advancing careers in architecture being honored so appropriately.”
Flowers, who holds dual licenses in architecture and law, has worked as in-house general counsel at HBG Design for 12 years, helping to maintain firm and client interests. Josh is the fourth AIA Fellow to be elevated from within HBG Design.
“Josh has given so much of himself in leading and engaging the profession on the local, regional and national levels. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the AIA Fellowship honor for his service to the institute than Josh Flowers,” says Rick Gardner, AIA, Practice Leader and Principal at HBG Design. “I admire his passion for fostering emerging architecture leaders in the industry at large and at HBG Design.”
The 2018 Jury of Fellows from the American Institute of Architects elevated 152 AIA members this year to its prestigious College of Fellows. Out of a total AIA membership of over 90,000, approximately 3 percent of members are recognized as fellows.
The College of Fellows, founded in 1952, is composed of members of the Institute who are elected to Fellowship by a jury of their peers. Fellowship is one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow upon a member. Elevation to Fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual but also elevates before the public and the profession those architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and to society.
The 2018 Fellows will be honored at an investiture ceremony at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2018 in New York City in June.
HBG Design Supports Spirit of Sovereignty
This holiday season, HBG Design is delighted to share the joy and talents of Navajo artist, Charletta Yazzie, a Spirit of Sovereignty College Scholarship Recipient and SOS Success Story. We believe a college education is one of the most transformative experiences one can have in their lifetime. We’re pleased to have made a donation in your honor to support The Spirit of Sovereignty College Scholarship Program and their important mission to help tomorrow’s leaders achieve their dreams.
HBG Design Brings Talented People Together
When architecture and interior design firm HBG Design opened its doors in 1979 (under its previous name Hnedak Bobo Group), the firm’s partners didn’t take any chances in letting firm growth simply “fall into place.” “We didn’t necessarily have it all figured out when we started,” says retired founder Kirk Bobo, FAIA, “but we did know that in order to grow, we needed to surround ourselves with talented, passionate people.”
That philosophy of bringing together passionate people to lead and inspire has generated a highly collaborative and entrepreneurial culture that has enabled HBG Design to grow from a regional design practice to a nationally recognized hospitality design firm.
Terri Struminger, an industry veteran of 25-plus years, was someone that Bobo associated with early on; today she serves as COO of the company.
“It’s always been at the core of our firm values to challenge each other to excel beyond what we think we can achieve,” she says. “We like to say, ‘your path here is what you make of it,’ and we empower staff to design their career experience around their strengths and passions. That’s key to our culture; and I think it’s a big reason why we’ve come so far as a company.”
At a recent company-wide event, staff gathered to share their thoughts on the culture of HBG Design.
“The managers really encourage you to pursue your passions,” says Karen Paule-Carres, a senior interior designer who joined the firm in 2016. “They encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone.”
Kalyn Johnson, a junior interior designer adds that the firm’s philosophy of “designing experience” resonated with her in several ways. “We talk a lot about designing experience, and to me that means we have the opportunity to learn … (so), not only are we creating these really unique experiences for our clients, we’re learning and gaining experience in the process. For me being right out of school, it’s really a great quality.”
For over 20 years, HBG Design has sustained its top-10 position in the industry’s national rankings of hospitality design firms.
“You don’t maintain that level of strength by chance — it takes the right mix of strategy, talent and passion,” Struminger adds.
As a team, Struminger and Practice Leader Rick Gardner, AIA, are guiding HBG Design’s growth not only by measure of high-quality design projects nationwide but also geographic reach.
The firm successfully established a downtown San Diego office in 2016 and since that time has tripled its California staff, growing to 15 employees in 21 months. HBG Design San Diego is currently leading various stages of design and project management for over $500 million in resort expansion projects up and down the West Coast.
Here at home, the 95-person Memphis office recently moved into new workspace on two floors of the One Commerce Square tower in downtown. Elevating collaboration and physical connection with one-another were two key drivers of the new space’s design.
“At the core of our practice are talented people who want an environment that engages and inspires innovation,” says Gardner. “Our open studio naturally promotes engagement and idea sharing and puts senior staff in the midst of the studio environment where they can teach best practices and impart knowledge to junior staff.”
It appears to be working. Within the past year the firm has been recognized at both the state and national level as a Top Place to Work for Emerging Architecture Professionals by the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
“The culture here is great,” says Tim Crenshaw, AIA, LEED AP. “It’s a family of people who come together — some with a lot of experience and some with less experience — and just contribute talent to projects that are high-quality and high-caliber design.”
While both the culture and office environment have set a high bar when it comes to helping employees pursue their passions, many of the firm’s innovative professional and personal development programs also help employees achieve career advancement and a healthy work/life balance.
The firm’s Sponsorship Program and EDGE training help participants set goals and take responsibility for their professional development while building teamwork, leadership and communication skills. The firm’s GOH Travel Scholarship provides an international research experience to broaden an employee’s knowledge and demonstrate the global impact of design.
There is also a strong culture of recognition within the organization that emphasizes not only how the firm values its employees but also underscores how each individual is connected to the big picture. Jay Davis, a junior architect sums up what he believes the culture of HBG Design is all about.
“I feel wanted. I feel like I’m doing something that’s important, and I feel I’m at home here,” says Davis. “I enjoy coming to work every day — and it’s not even work a lot of the time; it’s like a second home.”
Struminger and Gardner agree that the role each individual plays across every level of their organization contributes to their collective success.
“We’re excited about designing an experience for our employees that offers limitless possibilities for them personally, and for the firm as a whole,” says Struminger.
See article in The Commercial Appeal
HBG Design Named a 2017 Top Workplace by Commercial Appeal
HBG Design is excited to announce that we have been named a 2017 Top Workplace by The Commercial Appeal for the third year in a row. The Commercial Appeal has recognized 60 Companies and Organizations in Memphis as Top Workplaces 2017. The winning companies have been recognized as Top Workplaces based solely on surveys about the workplace completed by their employees.
Top Workplaces are not only better places to work but are more likely to be successful than peer organizations.
HBG Design in Global Gaming Business Magazine, “Luxury Redefined”
https://issuu.com/globalgamingbusiness/docs/global_gaming_business__december_20_bc86c8e712a648/22
HBG Design Named Interior Design Giant
HBG Design ranked 34th on Interior Design Magazine’s Hospitality Giants List.
Choctaw Casino & Resort – Grant Celebrates Major Expansion with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
GRANT, Okla., (November 3, 2017) – Choctaw Casino & Resort – Grant celebrated today the completion of a $50 million expansion project that has created more than 100 new jobs for local residents. The expanded resort and gaming amenities include the new West Wingtower with 96 well-appointed rooms including 23 suites, a deluxe resort pool, an exclusive poker room, the country’s only Chili’s Grill & Bar located in a casino, and more.
“This is a proud day for the Choctaw Nation to celebrate progress in Choctaw Country,” Chief Gary Batton told the crowd of state and local government officials, tribal leaders, and supporters. “As Choctaws, we strive to better the lives not just of our people, but all of whom we interact with,” he said standing in front of the hotel’s new West Tower.
“Located just a short drive north of Paris, Texas, many of our returning guests do so because they enjoy the resort’s features and our gaming opportunities,” explained Chris Scrivner Senior Director of Gaming Operations, Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. “To meet the growing public’s demand for affordable luxury, we’ve created a beautiful, state-of-the art property. The rooms are stylish but comfortable, and the suites have a great view of our new pool and pool bar. We also upgraded the lobby to create an arrival experience that is by far the best in the area for our guests. We’re already booking those rooms and suites for the holidays, and especially New Year’s Eve. This year, with 96 additional rooms, we’re looking forward to celebrating with more guests than ever before,” Scrivner said.
A new, exclusive poker room features five tables away from the hustle and bustle of the casino floor, with its own dedicated staff who are there to ensure the environment that poker players demand.
Delicious new food and beverage options include Chili’s Grill & Bar and Cove Café, offering made-to-order sandwiches, pizzas, pastries and desserts. Firehouse Grill and Buffet added 48 more seats.
The celebration continues all month long with fun and exciting events including a headline concert performance by Martina McBride, November 3rd in the Grant Event Center. Future concerts include Turnpike Troubadours on December 29th and Midland on January 13th. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. The River Bar and Grill features Karaoke everyTuesday at 8 pm and live entertainment every Friday starting at 9:30 pm. One can also catch their favorite sporting event on the big screen TV while enjoying a cold beer.
“A Grander Grand Opening” $100,000 giveaway kicks off on November 4th and continues every Saturday in November. The “Tailgate in the Party Pit” promotion continues in November with Hot Seat drawings from 3 pm to 8 pm for Tailgate party SWAG and Grand Prize Drawings for $500 in Chips at 8 pm.
In addition, between November 12th and November 25th, players can earn credits to win a National Finals Rodeo Vegas Trip. Sixteen “Rapid Fire” drawings for $1,000 in Free Play will be held on Friday, November 17th from 9 pm to 12:45 am.
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About Choctaw Casino & Resort in Grant, Okla.
Choctaw Casino & Resort – Grant offers gaming, dining, live entertainment and more – all in one convenient Southeastern Oklahoma location. Perfect for a quick getaway or staycation, the resort is located just a short drive from Paris, Texas. The resort boasts new features and amenities as a result of an expansion project completed in November of 2017. Enjoy the newly expanded resort with 156 well-appointed rooms and suites, a pool with private cabanas, a new poker room and diverse dining options including Chili’s Grill & Bar. Also be sure to check out the headliner entertainment at the Grant Event Center. For more information, visit choctawcasinos.com.
Cutline
Photo by Deidre Elrod/Choctaw Nation
Chief Gary Batton, Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr., members of the Choctaw Tribal Council, tribal members, local dignitaries and friends of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma assist Chris Scrivner, Senior Director of Gaming Operations and Shanis Goodson, General Manager cut the ribbon to open the new West Wing of the of Choctaw Resort & Casino – Grant.