Eco-Friends

First, some of the brains behind it. We snapped biz dev star Zoe Matthews flanked by LEED AP interior designer Michelle Anton and designer Gretchen Havelka. Zoe tells us conventional funding for new construction projects has all but dried up, but the firm has continually taken smaller projects. Outside of work, you’ll find her playing in the World Adult Kickball Association (trying to match the success of UT, her alma mater).

La Valencia at Starwood’s closing room features eco-friendly paints and energy efficient lights, and locally-owned Tonti Properties incorporated water reclamation into its green construction. It was completed in summer ‘08 and is cycling on its first year of leases. Other firm projects: the Hebron 121 Station, developed by Huffines and Grove at Mustang Park in Carrolton; and installing resident lounge furnishings at Iconic Village in Denton serving UNT students. Zoe cites its use of  Color Marketing Group’s forecast as a big benefit, so designers can utilize new colors that will be the “in” scheme in the next few years.

HPA GM Jeri Sipherd with Humphreys and Partners Architects CEO Mark Humphreys. Mark started HPA in 1998. Here’s a neat intra-office program: Humphreys Heroes, where any employee can write a thank you card and send to fellow employees for a job well done. Jeri is a Boomer Sooner and has a friendly competition with Zoe. Unfortunately, she’s had to buy many lunches.

HPA designers Chelsea Dora, Gina LaBarba, and Nancy Evans review plans for a HUD project in O’Fallon, Ill. Zoe says about 80-90% of HPA's clients are repeat business. The firm works in about 17 states, including student housing and apartment complexes in Florida and senior living projects in Las Vegas and Staten Island.