Graceland's Chapel in the Woods receives Merit Award from AIA Memphis
HBG Design received the AIA Merit Award from the AIA Memphis Chapter for Graceland's Chapel in the Woods in Memphis, Tennessee.
Just under 2,600 square feet, this quaint chapel represents the down-to-earth side of Elvis, who was raised in small-town Tupelo, Mississippi. An ode to rural church design, the humble chapel’s shotgun framework makes nature the main showcase, outside and in.
This quaint chapel, accessed only by a scenic walking path, sits among trees and gardens not far from Elvis Presley’s Graceland© Mansion and new resort experience in Memphis, Tennessee.
Inspired by Elvis’ childhood home in Tupelo, Mississippi, a simple shotgun style, the modest structure is a distinct contrast from the legendary performer’s famous 1970s mansion. And that was intentional. Elvis is not only an international music icon, but he is known for his true ‘rags to riches’ story from his humble beginnings as a small-town boy with gospel roots. Designers considered this duality and the Owner’s vision for “a small rustic country chapel” when creating the design.
Through the steep gabled entryway, three elevations of glass windows frame views to the surrounding trees, giving the serene perception of being married in the woods. White horizontal exterior siding wraps around the exterior façade moving through into the interior walls to connect exterior and interior design elements. The light siding is contrasted with rich, rustic wooden beams, columns and interior siding, softened by the varying hues of green plantings outside. Clean architectural details provide reveals and relief on all surfaces. Large dramatic trusses in the main chapel bring a touch of complexity to the otherwise simple shotgun chapel typology.
The chapel purposely presents a straightforward organization of space – with rooms for the bride and groom, traditional wooden pews and an outdoor reception space – remaining true to the duality that was Elvis Presley.
To find out more about the project and project team, you can view the award submittal at AIA Memphis.
The Star Luxury Apartments receives Honor Award from AIA Memphis
HBG Design received the AIA Honor Award from the AIA Memphis Chapter for the restoration and revitalization of The Star Luxury Apartments at the Historic Texaco Building in downtown Houston, Texas. To find out more about the project and project team, you can view the award submittal at AIA Memphis.
Designers undertook a vigorous restoration and revitalization effort to convert a long-abandoned, century-old landmark headquarters as a stunning 17-story mixed-use multi-family tower, reconnecting it to the urban fabric as a focal point for downtown Houston’s live-work-play vision.
After oil giant Texaco moved out of its downtown Houston location in 1989, the historic, century-old office building stood vacant for more than twenty years waiting for its next purpose. Engaged by a local developer with plans to reshape the desolate building into a luxury apartment community, designers had a large task ahead of them. Originally designed in Renaissance Revival style with Beaux-Arts accents, The Star incorporates an initial, 13-story structure that opened in 1915, with an addition added in 1938 and a 16-story addition added in 1958. Though mostly gutted over its 30 years of non-use, sitting in dilapidated condition in the heart of central downtown, many historically-significant features were judged to be restorable. Designers worked hand-in-hand with historic regulatory agencies through extensive approval processes in the preservation and sourcing of similar materials to match the original design intent of the building. Creative design by the architects altered the building layout from an office floor plate to apartment units. To accommodate the new use, the team designed an L-shaped 66,000 square foot addition to the back side of the historic building, increasing the overall dimension of the upper floors. This solution was able to increase density and create more efficient use of the land, while maintaining historic integrity.
HBG Design named a Rising Giant by Interior Design Magazine
HBG Design's interior design team has been named a Rising Giant in the 2020 ID Rising Giants list by Interior Design Magazine. To see the full list visit Interior Design Magazine.
HBG Design Named Top Workplace for 6th Consecutive Year
HBG Design has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Commercial Appeal. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.
This year HBG Design was also recognized as THE top workplace for outstanding benefits. This is the second time HBG has been singled out for the strength of the firm's benefits with this special Top Workplace award.
"To be awarded this honor by you – our employees – for the sixth time in a row speaks volumes about the strength of our culture and our future," said Terri Struminger, COO at HBG Design, as she addressed staff at the annual State of the Firm event.
To see more visit The Commercial Appeal.
HBG Design Named AIA TN Emerging Professionals Friendly Firm
We are excited to announce that we have once again been named one of top firms for Emerging Professionals in the state of Tennessee by AIA TN.
The guiding principals for companies to achieve this accolade include:
Foster Value and Retention of EPs
Providing unique firm cultures and benefits to encourage recruitment of EPs
Providing equitable compensation and benefits
Provide strong professional development for EPs
Mentorship
Encouraging and celebrating licensure
Providing EPs with a broad and diverse experiences in firm practice
Committing to and investing in EPs at all phases of their professional development
Promote EP engagement and leadership in the profession and the community
Providing leadership opportunities to EPs
Encouraging EPs to inform firm culture to transform the practice of architecture for the next generation.
Promoting involvement in the AIA and industry, charitable, and community organizations
For more information visit AIA TN
HBG Design Consistently Ranks as the #1 Largest Architecture Firm in Memphis
Memphis-Area Architectural Firms
Ranked by local licensed architects
The Commercial Appeal Names HBG Design a Top Workplace for Fifth Year in a Row
The Commercial Appeal has awarded HBG Design a 2019 Top Workplace Honor for the fifth year in a row. The Top Workplaces award is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner, Energage, LLC. The survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, values, execution and connection, just to name a few. “HBG is very intentional about promoting our core values across the organization,” said Terri Struminger, Chief Operating Officer of HBG Design. “We have a highly engaged team of talented professionals who inspire creativity and comradery in our daily experiences. The reward and acknowledgement of our strong workplace culture – especially for the fifth year in a row – is a compelling message to our team.”
HBG Design Continues to Rank Among Top Hospitality Design Firms in the Country
HBG Design Ranks Fifth in the Hotel Business Top Architects & Designers Survey. See complete list here.