News
Picnic in the Park
June 18, 2008
In May HagerSmith Design, P.A. continued its 30th year celebration with a picnic at Pullen Park for their consultants. More than 100 guests attended.
“Our projects could not succeed the way that they do without their help and this picnic was a small gesture to show them that we appreciate all they do,” said Sarah Johnson, Manager of HagerSmith Design’s Business Interiors Group.
“We try to acknowledge the good work all our consultants do for us on a regular basis”, said Company President Tony Conner, “but this event is our way to show them how much they are appreciated. We planned for the picnic to be held at Pullen Park because it was a convenient location and got us away from the office for the afternoon.”
Guests enjoyed a low country boil and played games while a three piece acoustical band provided live entertainment. “I think everyone loved the food,” said Ms. Johnson. “It was great to see people cut loose and play a little corn hole or bocce ball.”
Steve Schuster Speaks on New Convention Center
Green Lecture Series
June 10, 2008
The second installment of HagerSmith’s Green Lunch & Learn Series occurred on May 22, 2008 when Steve Schuster spoke on the design and LEED Certification of the new Raleigh Convention Center that is scheduled to open this fall. Schuster’s firm, Clearscapes, is one of 16 companies involved in the design of the downtown project.
The lecture was attended by local members of the design community and was followed by a question and answer session about particular strategies employed in the convention center to achieve LEED certification.
“If a convention center, a building type not inherent to fitting LEED criteria, can become certified, we can all find ways to incorporate green ideas into our designs” said Sarah Johnson, LEED AP, a member of HagerSmith Design’s Green Committee
Schuster’s lecture not only included aspects of the design tailored to LEED, but but the impact the center will have on downtown Raleigh.
“The City of Raleigh’s mandate that the new Convention Center be LEED certified demonstrates a commitment on the part of the City to environmentally-sensitive design in public buildings and particularly in downtown,” said David Black, AIA, “It will act as a model for sustainable private development in the area.”
HagerSmith Design ’s next lecture will be held mid-July.The presenter, Hal House of Integrated Water Strategies (IWS), will be speaking about his company’s approach to site specific designed ecosystems for water restoration. IWS creates systems that mimic the filtration characteristics of natural ecosystems and provides an environmentally sensitive alternative to conventional wastewater management.
You can learn more by visiting the Integrated Water Strategies website at http://waterrecycling.com/systems.
If you would like more information on the Green Lunch & Learn series, please contact Stephanie Coble at scoble@hagersmith.com
New Staff Changes
May 5, 2008
The interiors group welcomed their new Group Manager Sarah Johnson, LEED AP, on Monday April 28. Ms. Johnson has been with the interior’s group since 2006. She was formerly a project manager for the Interior Design group before making the change to the new position and has worked on some of HagerSmith Design’s largest projects.
On Monday May 5 HagerSmith Design, PA hired Mo Johnson as member of their Architecture Group. Mr. Johnson began his career in architecture two years ago after completing the Masters program in the School of Architecture at North Carolina State University.
Paragon Bank receives Best Redevelopment Project Award
May 5, 2008
On April 25 the Triangle Business Journal published the 2008 Champion Awards awarded by Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women in the journals first quarter issue of “Space”. TCREW Awarded Paragon Bank the Best Redevelopment Project Award. Scott Idol, RA, with HagerSmith Design, PA was the architect for the project and worked with the bank to design a complete renovation in which the building was stripped back to its steel skeleton and rebuilt.
According to a September, 2007 article in the News and Observer, by renovating an existing building as opposed to building a new office, Paragon was able to save about 15 percent. The article can be found on the News and Observer web site here.
Halifax Jail Interior Reconstruction Opens
April 14, 2008
HagerSmith Design recently completed design and construction administration for the reconstruction of mid-19th century jail cells at Historic Halifax, part of the North Carolina system of State Historic Sites. The Halifax Day dedication of the new facility was the culmination of more than two years of work, and realized a goal of the Historical Halifax Restoration Association dating back to the 1950s.
The 1838 jail at Historic Halifax had been through a number of interior renovations, culminating in the gutting of a set of 1890s jail cells during a 1960s restoration of the exterior of the building. Subsequent archeological investigations of the interior of the jail uncovered basic information about the original cell layout and a substantial 1850s renovation. It was decided to interpret the building to the 1850s period.
As part of the design process for the cell reconstruction, HagerSmith reviewed archeological reports from two excavations of the interior and examined the artifacts that were associated with them. Additional documentary research was carried out by the design team to discover typical jail cell construction from the mid-19th century period, particularly in North Carolina. Using these sources as a base, plans were prepared for the reconstruction of three jail cells; two for felons, and another larger cell for debtors. A cutaway model was included as part of the interpretation of the wall construction.
Because the jail interior is to be part of the historic site’s self-directed tour, discreet occupancy-controlled illumination had to be provided and revisions made to the existing fire alarm and emergency lighting systems. In order to make the new displays accessible to the disabled, new handicapped parking was created with an elevated accessible path that made maximum use of the existing topography.
NCSU Professor Will Hooker speaks on Permaculture
Green Lecture Series
April 7, 2008
On March 26th, the Green Committee at HagerSmith kicked off the first presentation in its Green Lunch & Learn Series, with notable guest speaker Will Hooker.
The Green Committee was recently established at HagerSmith to guide the firm in finding opportunities to “green” the office, and to educate staff on topics surrounding sustainability.
“As individuals, we strive to incorporate these ideals into our daily lives and more importantly, as design professionals, broaden our understanding and skill set for clients wanting to embrace these ideas into their green projects," said Stephanie Coble, a member of the Green Committee.
“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Will Hooker on several occasions, and I know sustainability to be an issue he holds close to his own heart,” said Coble, “When I told him of our newly formed Green Committee, he offered to come and speak about permaculture, a class he teaches every fall at Sate.”
Hooker, who received his Masters in Landscape Architecture from NCSU, and now teaches in the school’s Horticulture Department, has researched permaculture around the world.
“Most notable was a ten month sabbatical to 11 countries, working in hundreds of permaculturally-inspired landscapes,” said Coble.
Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of cultivated ecosystems which have the diversity, sustainability and resilience of natural ecosystems. It involves a harmonious integration of the landscape, people and appropriate technologies to provide food, shelter, energy and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.
Guests of the event included NCSU landscape architecture students, members of the Emerging Green Builders and of the Young Architects Forum, as well as HagerSmith staff.
Hooker followed his presentation with a question and answer session about permaculture and how it could be implemented by the audience in their work and homes.
Hooker’s presentation can be downloaded here.
Company Founder Mike Hager Honored
March 3, 2008
On Friday, February 22, 2008 HagerSmith Design, PA honored company founder, Mike Hager with a retirement party in Vaughn Towers over Carter Finley stadium at NCSU. Hundreds of former employees, clients, friends and family attended the event as Hager spoke with everyone about his plans to transition his career path and concentrate more on his work in Agriculture and developing his love of the arts.
His new career path will not alter the direction of HagerSmith Design, PA thanks to his strong commitment to the development of talent among the remaining designers.
“The lessons Mike gave to us all are far too many to mention, just ask any employee what they learned from Mike Hager and you realize the influence he has had on each one of us and in the formation of his of his greatest legacy…HagerSmith Design” said Tony Conner, company president.
Hager now plans to spend more time on his farm and developing his skills as a painter. His commitment to architecture and his clients has not ended though.
“While Mike is no longer employed by HagerSmith Design we are planning to continue our relationship and have kept the door open to consult with him when the firm needs additional insight and wisdom on certain projects” said Conner.
HagerSmith Design, PA plans on continuing with the momentum that Hager has given the company.
“Mike’s success has built the foundation and solid footing for HagerSmith Design to serve our clients for another 30 years and beyond” said Conner.
HagerSmith Design Celebrates 30 Years in Business!
January 1, 2008
The beginning of 2008 marks the 30th year in operation for HagerSmith Design.We are not only proud of our buildings that have become landmarks in the North Carolina Community, but in the relationships we have built along the way. So much of who our success can be attributed to who we have partnered with in the past and look forward to working with in the future.
Our accomplishments have been numerous. We are proud to have participated with small leasing companies that have grown to be top competitors in the market. We were among the first in looking at creating more energy efficient buildings before green design was a hot topic. Our involvement in many of the commercial development master plans can be seen around the Research Triangle Park.
As we not only remember our past we find ourselves looking to create the next chapter in our history and invite our friends, clients and business associates to join us in celebrating our anniversary throughout the coming year. Events and news will continuously be added to our newly redesigned Web site, so make sure to continue checking in.
Web Site Launch
January 1, 2008
A bold new look has been added to the HagerSmith Design web site, http://www.hagersmith.com, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of our company. HagerSmith Design is launching it’s new site design which will provide visitors with a complete overview of the company as well as important tools for clients. New features of the site include a direct portal to the company’s FTP site where clients can easily access their files, a client resources page containing useful information for the A/E/C industry as well as current news from the HagerSmith Design Team.
Principal Architect Featured in Regional Newspaper
January 1, 2008
The home of Jim Smith, AIA was featured as the “Home of the Month” in the News and Observer’s Saturday, November 24th edition (available on line here). The Home of the Month series is a joint project of the N & O and the NCSU School of Architecture to showcase examples of residential design excellence. Jim Smith of HagerSmith Design, PA was the architect for this project which renovated an 1840’s Cotton Gin into a loft style residence for Smith and his wife. The project received an Anthemion Award from Capital Area Preservation this year, and qualified for North Carolina’s tax credits for restoration of historic non-income producing properties.
Historic Project in Apex receives Anthemion Award
January 1, 2008
The renovation of the W. A. Hinton Hardware building in Apex, NC received an Anthemion Award from Capital Area Preservation recently. Jim Smith of HagerSmith Design, PA was the architect for this federal and state historic preservation tax credit project. The attic of the building was converted from storage to office space for the owner’s civil engineering firm, while the street level floor was restored for retail use.
Designers Contribute to Local Food Shelter
December 19, 2007
Employees of HagerSmith Design, PA donated 14 cases of food to The Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen, a food kitchen located in Downtown Raleigh that has been helping hungry people since 1980.
Donations organizer Sam Franklin worked with The Shepard's Table Soup Kitchen and Joe's Place Restaurant to order and deliver the food donations. ""the Shepherd’s Table is a shining example of selflessness and caring throughout the year," Franklin said.
Funds for the food were donated from HagerSmith employees, who also helped to deliver the food.
"It is important to take a moment from time to time to reflect on how fortunate we are," Franklin said. "We simply wanted to “pitch in” and help out our neighbors."
