HBG Design is proud to celebrate the presentation of our 9th GOH Travel Scholarship Award, honoring one of our founding partners, Greg Hnedak. This annual legacy award embodies Greg’s passion for immersive learning and transformative travel experiences, providing a unique opportunity for our staff to connect with new cultures, discover inspiring places, and explore the roots of design in meaningful ways.

This year, we are thrilled to announce Paul Patterson as the GOH Travel Scholarship 2025 winner. Paul’s concept for his journeys pushes the boundaries of the scholarship, presenting the idea of contrast in ways our jury had never seen before. His proposal exemplifies how design connects the familiar and the unfamiliar, inspiring creativity through juxtaposition.

Paul’s travels will take him on two transformative, week-long journeys to countries with similar cultures, design sensibilities, and awe-inspiring natural beauty – Iceland in the darkness of winter and Norway in the endless light of summer. This unique itinerary stretches the GOH Travel Scholarship’s purpose, exploring extreme contrasts in season, light, and environment to deepen our understanding of unity, adversity, and inspiration.

Experiencing Iceland in Winter’s Darkness

Paul’s first journey will lead him to Reykjavik, Iceland, a place where winter’s darkness envelops urban life and natural wonders alike. His exploration will include:

  • Visits to art and history museums showcasing Icelandic culture and traditions.
  • Architectural studies of modern public and religious buildings.
  • An immersive journey through the Golden Circle, a 190-mile route that highlights Iceland’s rugged landscapes, powerful waterfalls, geysers, and volcanic terrain.
  • A hopeful glimpse of the Northern Lights, a natural spectacle that transforms the darkness into magic.

Paul’s focus on the stark beauty of Iceland’s harsh winter will uncover how design responds to extreme conditions, creating spaces of comfort amid adversity.

Experiencing Norway in the Light of Endless Summer

In stark contrast, Paul’s second journey will take him to Norway at the height of summer, where the midnight sun stretches the days into near-perpetual light. His itinerary includes:

  • Visits to Oslo’s cultural hubs, exploring museums and contemporary Scandinavian architecture.
  • Studie
    Paul received his award at HBG’s annual end of the year presentation.

    s of ancient stave churches, standing as historical counterpoints to modern design.

  • Exploration of Norway’s breathtaking fjords, remote towns, and natural wonders through hiking and kayaking.
  • Insights into how endless daylight influences urban living, culture, and the human experience.

Paul’s experience in Norway will showcase how light shapes life and design, revealing both similarities and profound contrasts to his time in Iceland.

Paul’s Vision for the GOH Travel Scholarship

In his own words, Paul expressed how this journey represents the ultimate contrast:

“The juxtaposition of seasons in these two places will beautifully represent the idea of comparison and extreme contrast; one in the depth of its harshness but also at the height of its ability to provide comfort along with some of the most amazing natural beauty a person can witness. The other, at the height of splendor that can only be attained with almost never-ending sunshine at the opposite of nearly endless darkness.” *

Honoring the Spirit of Exploration

Paul Patterson’s journey embodies the very essence of the GOH Travel Scholarship – exploration, learning, and inspiration through immersive experiences. We believe his travels will offer a compelling perspective on design, human connection, and the profound influence of environment and light.

Please join us in congratulating Paul Patterson, HBG Design’s GOH Travel Scholarship 2025 Winner! We look forward to sharing Paul’s insights and discoveries as he embarks on this extraordinary journey.

For more information on the GOH Travel Scholarship and to follow Paul’s journey, stay connected with HBG Design on our website and social media channels.