GOH Travel Scholarship 2025 Winner: Paul Patterson
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.
HBG Design voted a 2024 Top Workplace: Thank You, HBG Team!
We are incredibly proud to announce that HBG Design has been recognized as a 2024 Top Workplace by the Commercial Appeal for the 10th year in a row! This remarkable milestone reflects the dedication and enthusiasm of our team, and we couldn’t be more honored to receive this recognition.
In addition to this decade-long achievement, our San Diego office has been named a Best Place to Work for the second consecutive year. These awards are particularly meaningful because they are based entirely on employee feedback. The most significant aspect of these honors is not the awards themselves but what they represent: a shared commitment to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and inspiring workplace culture.
A Culture That Drives Us Forward
At HBG Design, we believe that people are at the heart of everything we do. This recognition speaks volumes about the strength of our culture, the dedication of our employees, and the visionary leadership that guides us. It also highlights the bright future we are building together.
Here are some of the 2024 Top Workplace employee survey results that we are especially proud of this year:
- 97% of employees say their managers care about their concerns.
- Based on the Energage survey, HBG Design ranks in the top 20% of national design firms for caring and supportive managers.
- 92% of employees believe their managers and the firm support their professional growth and development. This also places HBG in the top 20% nationally for professional development opportunities within our industry.
- 94% of employees feel enabled to work at their full potential.
- 92% feel appreciated for their work.
These statistics underscore our commitment to empowering every team member to grow, thrive, and achieve their best.
Values That Define Us
This year, we were particularly thrilled to see these additional 2024 Top Workplace survey results:
- 92% of employees recognize HBG Design for its strong values.
- 91% of employees view HBG as an inclusive company.
These qualities are essential to our success and are at the core of how we operate every day. Fostering a Top Workplace environment of inclusion and upholding strong values isn’t just a goal—it’s how we achieve meaningful, impactful results as a firm.
Our Gratitude to the HBG Team
The Top Workplace recognition we’ve received over the years is a testament to YOU—our talented and passionate team. You are the heart of HBG Design, and your feedback drives us to keep improving, innovating, and delivering excellence.
Thank you for making HBG Design a truly exceptional place to work. Together, we will continue building on this legacy, shaping a workplace where everyone can thrive and making an impact across the industry for years to come.
Here’s to you, and here’s to the bright future ahead!
HBG Design Recognized as a 2024 Best Place to Work
HBG Design is proud to announce that it has been named a winner in the San Diego Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work 2024” awards. Being recognized as #14 (mid-size companies) out of hundreds of entries in the highly-competitive program underscores HBG’s commitment to creating a dynamic and supportive workplace culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and employee satisfaction.
“Our team is the driving force behind our success, and we are dedicated to maintaining an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to achieve their best,” said Nathan Peak, HBG President & Practice Leader.
The San Diego Business Journal’s Best Places to Work awards evaluate companies based on their workplace policies and practices, growth potential and opportunities for employees, corporate culture, benefits and compensation, access to management, and corporate values. This accolade is a testament to HBG’s ongoing efforts to create a thriving workplace where employees are motivated and engaged. The evaluation process was based on an employee survey conducted by Workforce Resource Group, assessing topics like management effectiveness, employee perks, growth opportunities, and overall company culture.
“We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated and energized team,” said Joe Baruffaldi, Orange Group Leader, “their commitment to our shared values is such an important part of what makes HBG Design the kind of company where everyone is excited to contribute and be part of something really special.”
Four Winds South Bend: Casino Foodservice
From Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine
By Donna Boss
December 01, 2023
The owners of Four Winds Casino wanted to expand its gaming to accommodate more guests at peak times. Casino leadership also wanted guests to have a multiday experience that included staying at the hotel and visiting the restaurants and spa. In addition, a conference center was added to accommodate businesses and groups to host meetings and other events.
Four Winds Casino South Bend opened on Jan. 16, 2018. In 2022, the casino expanded to 98,000 square feet, and at the same time the gaming floor included 1,900 slot machines. On March 1, 2023, the hotel, outdoor pool, Cedar Spa, Edgewater Café, and Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center opened.
“The external and internal property design integrates tribal cultural references and symbolism with contemporary details to achieve the elegant lodge style now synonymous with the Four Winds brand,” says Paul Bell, AIA, principal/project manager, HBG Design, Memphis, Tenn.
Situated on the third floor, the Edgewater Café serves as the hotel’s main restaurant and provides food and beverages for the adjacent outdoor rooftop pool area.
“Natural light streams through clerestory windows and a retractable glass partition wall that connects to the pool atmosphere,” Bell says.
Glass-enclosed fireplaces extend from the glass partition wall into large skylights, providing guests with views of the towering hotel above and a vertical ribbon light show in the evening.
“The restaurant mingles a multicolored textural tile accent wall, stone, and wood detailing into the warm contemporary palette,” says Joseph La Vallee, lead interior designer, HBG.
One main challenge the Edgewater Café project team faced was fitting the kitchen below a hotel tower that required many structural columns for support. “Therefore, we aligned the traffic aisles for the servers and chefs with space between the columns,” says Trish Jass, senior operations project manager, Rippe Associates, Minneapolis.
“We also made use of some oddly spaced areas for the dish room and storage areas,” says Mike Wrase, senior project manager, Rippe Associates. “Another challenge, the exhaust hood in low ceilings, was addressed by installing an exhaust hood that is shallower and deeper than it would have been with higher ceilings.”
After menu items arrive at the hotel/event center dock, staff bring them through the back of the house to elevators and up to the third-floor kitchen, which contains a walk-in cooler, a walk-in freezer and dry storage. Storage areas reside at the back of the kitchen, so the food can flow forward toward the customers.
Staff take trash and materials that can be recycled from the third floor down the back-of-the-house elevators to the dock.
A Solid Decade as a BD+C Hotel Design Powerhouse
HBG Design is honored to share that the firm has once again been ranked among the Top 5 Hotel Design firms in the Nation by Building Design + Construction Magazine’s Giants 400 Survey. This milestone marks a decade of unwavering commitment to excellence, as a Top 10 ranked hotel design giant since 2012. See the full Hotel Giants List.
A Decade of Consistency:
For ten consecutive years, HBG Design has been a force to be reckoned with in BD+C's Hotel Architecture Firms survey. Our consistent presence in the top 10 is a testament to our ability to navigate the evolving landscape of hospitality design trends, client expectations, and industry dynamics while maintaining an unwavering commitment to innovation and quality.
Navigating Change with Precision:

As a BD+C Hotel Design Giant, HBG Design has not merely adapted to change; we've embraced it with precision. Our designs reflect an understanding of the dynamic nature of the industry, ensuring that each project remains not just relevant but a trailblazer in its own right.
Client Trust: The Cornerstone of Our "Design Giants" Status:

At the core of our ‘Design Giants’ status is the trust and satisfaction of our clients. HBG Design’s client-centric approach, a hallmark of our success, ensures that every project is a collaborative journey, resulting in designs that not only meet but exceed expectations.
Team Synergy and Expertise:
The journey to becoming a BD+C Hotel Design Giant is a collective effort, and our talented team at HBG Design stands at the forefront. Architects, designers, and support staff collaborate seamlessly, bringing forth their expertise to craft spaces that tell unique stories and elevate the guest experience.
Looking Forward to the Next Decade:
As we celebrate a decade of excellence at the top of the BD+C Hotel Design Giant charts, HBG Design is geared up for the next chapter. Our commitment to designing experiences remains steadfast, and we look ahead to setting new standards, exploring innovative avenues, and continuing to be a giant in hotel design.
Celebrating 9 Years of Excellence: HBG Design Named Top Workplace
We are thrilled to announce that HBG Design has once again secured its place among Memphis's Top Workplaces, marking an impressive 9-year streak of excellence! This recognition by the Commercial Appeal is a testament to our unwavering commitment to cultivating a workplace that values collaboration, innovation, and the well-being of our incredible team.
A Legacy of Workplace Excellence
For nearly a decade, HBG Design has been honored as a top workplace, a distinction that reflects the dedication and passion of our outstanding team members. This achievement is a source of immense pride for us, and it speaks volumes about the positive and inclusive culture we've worked hard to create.
Thank You to Our Amazing Team
Our success is a direct result of the hard work and talent that each team member brings to HBG Design. We extend our deepest gratitude to our exceptional employees who contribute their skills, creativity, and enthusiasm every day. Your commitment is the cornerstone of our success, and we are grateful to have such a remarkable team driving our continued growth.
Recognition from the Commercial Appeal
We are honored to receive this recognition from the Commercial Appeal, a respected source for news and insights in our community. Being listed among Memphis's Top Workplaces is not just an accolade for us—it's a celebration of the positive work environment we've collectively built.
A Commitment to Continued Excellence
As we celebrate this milestone, we are more committed than ever to maintaining a workplace that inspires, supports, and empowers our team members. Our journey doesn't end here; it's a continuous pursuit of excellence, growth, and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued.
Join Us in the Celebration
Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement! Follow our journey on social media, and stay tuned for insights into what makes HBG Design a top workplace in Memphis.
Thank you to our dedicated team, the Commercial Appeal, and our community for supporting us on this remarkable journey. Here's to many more years of success, collaboration, and a thriving workplace culture at HBG Design!
Explore the list of Memphis's Top Workplaces on the Commercial Appeal website.