Julie Hendricks, AIA, was presented the Ben Brewer Young Architect Award at the Houston AIA Gala held April 14, 2012. Julie and fellow Kirksey architect, Michael Rensing, created this video that was shown at the gala. Not only is it visually engaging, it gives you more insight into the inspiration, beliefs, and mind of Julie.

Congratulations, Julie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfYM4PDrZiQ

We are happy to announce that Julie Hendricks, Director of EcoServices, has been awarded the 2012 Ben Brewer Young Architect Award. This award recognizes excellence in ability and exceptional contributions by architects who are in their first 10 years of practice based on the considerations of; design, the science of construction, literature, education, service to the profession, public service, historic preservation, research, urban design, government, industry, and architectural practice.

“Julie has changed the landscape of sustainable design in Houston and the region” said Brian Malarkey, FAIA, Executive Vice President, Kirksey Architecture. Her accomplishments include 5.7 million sf of projects made more sustainable, 6 green conferences organized, 60+ speaking engagements, and 100 students taught in architectural studio.

Congratulations, Julie! This is a well-deserved honor and everyone at Kirksey couldn’t be more proud of you.

What was once a sterile, cold medical buiding has been transformed into a bright, fun space for young children to learn, play, and grow. Kirksey was hired by HISD to renovate this 400-student pre-k/kindergarten facility and create a space that is nurturing, positive, and tailored to the young students. Check out the link below to see the finished product and learn about the story behind Bellfort.

http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=352119da3b855310VgnVCM10000028147fa6RCRD&vgnextchannel
=051bdfb83de94310VgnVCM10000028147fa6RCRD

Kirksey’s Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA project was nominated for the ULI Award of Distinction in the Not-for-Profit category.

With each new project brings a story that makes a building more than just a space. Whether it’s an innovative design or a budget-saving technique, every project has history. Here’s a video that explains the story behind the YMCA project: A Window to the Community.

http://vimeopro.com/user4869809/2012-awards-of-distinction#/video/35280159

Things have been rocky, to say the least, in the job market, but Houstonians can breath a sigh of relief with the release of the Brookings Institute report showing Houston as the top performing city in North America! Check it out here:

http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2012/0118_global_metro_monitor.aspx

Kirksey EcoServices assisted TSTC and its project team during the design and construction of the South Texas Education Partnership’s Multi-Institution Teaching Center, after they decided to attempt LEED Certification. The facilities department worked tirelessly with the design and construction teams to achieve this goal. The $7-million design-build project is slated to receive LEED-Gold certification because of the inclusion of many green features.

One of the ‘greenest’ attributes occurred because TSTC petitioned the Lower Rio Grand Development council to extend two bus lines and add another bus stop, to give the site access to 2 lines.  In addition, a cool roof reflects sun’s heat, a detention pond minimizes storm water runoff from the site, low flow water closets, faucets, and ‘pint urinals’ significantly reduce water usage. The project has employed many energy saving devices, such as an energy recovery unit, efficient mechanical systems and highly efficient lighting. The building has been designed to be 38% more efficient than the energy code requires. Finally, a solar panel array generates 106 kilowatts of electricity for the building. It is estimated that this will provide almost 20% of the buildings electricity.

Key Players

Owner: Texas State Technical College, Harlingen, Texas

General Contractor: SpawGlass Contractors, Harlingen, Texas

Lead Design: ERO Architects, McAllen, Texas

Civil: Halff Associates, McAllen, Texas

Structural: Green, Rubiano & Assoc., Harlingen

MEP: Halff Associates, McAllen, Texas

LEED Consultant: Kirksey Architects, Houston

Commissioning Agent: Cleary Zimmerman, San Antonio

http://texas.construction.com/texas_construction_projects/2011/1212-texas-state-technical-college-university-center-harlingen-texas-.asp

Career Girls is an organization dedicated to providing young girls of all income levels and ethnic backgrounds with the academic tools and support they need to achieve their professional aspirations. They interviewed Kirksey’s very own, Nicola Springer, Vice President and pK-12 Team Leader, about her day-to-day activities and responsibilities as an architect. Check it out!

http://www.careergirls.org/careers/architect

Check out Kirksey’s own Kristen Johnson as she shares what inspires her as an interior designer, some things she can’t live without, and her own personal design style.

http://www.chron.com/default/article/Interior-designer-Kristen-Johnson-shares-her-2237890.php#photo-1701681

I had never heard of John Picard before today. He’s got an incredible story that begins with designing custom homes for the extravagantly wealthy and eventually leads to consulting presidents, major corporations, and the USGBC about sustainable development. This video link below gives a brief snapshot of what sparked the transformation in his perspective and shares his insights about the future of sustainable design.

Video: The Green Prophet by Eastman Innovation Lab