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!