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The Evanston Ecology Center's 50th-anniversary groundbreaking ceremony on April 19th was a vibrant celebration, drawing in residents and city officials to revel in this pivotal moment. Amidst the jubilation, attention was turned towards the renovation efforts of Nurture Architects. April Hughes, President of Nurture, took to the podium to share insights into the transformative vision guiding the Center's redesign. Hughes highlighted how the renovation, targeting LEED Gold, aligns with Evanston's Climate Action and Resilience Plan. The renovation incorporates a redesigned public entryway, featuring a welcome desk crafted from donated lumber, and a dynamic map of North Shore trails and waterways. A revamped children's classroom, with a new flooring design aiding programmatic zoning, was designed to provide a functional and harmonious space for their frequent educational programming. The successful event commemorated the Center's five decades of service and ushered in a new chapter of environmental stewardship.

Riya Desai, Assoc. AIA, a Junior Associate at Nurture, has earned LEED AP BD+C certification, showcasing her proficiency in sustainable design and commitment to advancing her career in green building. With a Bachelor of Architecture degree specializing in Art & Architectural History and Landscape Design, Riya brings a unique perspective to her work, creating harmonious, sustainable designs that consider both built and natural environments. Additionally, Riya is actively involved in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within the architecture industry, serving as Co-Chair for the AIA Chicago Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Her achievements align with Nurture's values of inclusivity and social responsibility.

Nurture was awarded Honorable Mention at the Phius Passive Projects Design Competition for the Yannell PHIUS+ Residence, presented at PhiusCon 2023 in Houston, Texas. The prestigious award highlights Nurture's commitment to innovative, energy-efficient design and its leadership in sustainable retrofitting. The Yannell PHIUS Residence is a pioneering project, being the very first certified single-family Passive House Institute US (PHIUS 2018+) Retrofit in the Midwest. This milestone achievement sets a new standard for sustainable renovation in the region and serves as a model for future projects seeking to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption.

HPZS/Nurture was featured in the 2023 Fall Issue of the National Trust for Preservation’s (@savingplaces) Preservation Magazine for our recent award-winning restoration at Jackson Lake Lodge.⁠ ⁠ About 40 percent of the building’s 75,000-square-foot concrete surface underwent repairs. Replicating the original acid stain wasn’t an option—the existing concrete’s chemical composition had changed over the years, and the acid would no longer properly react with it.⁠ The team overcame many challenges, including a remote location, difficult and often uncooperative climate, and a requirement that the lodge remain open throughout the restoration.

Nurture (formerly HPZS) proudly sponsored the 24th Annual Calumet Heritage Conference at the Field Museum. We believe preservation is the bridge between past and future, where history is harmonized with equitable sustainability.⁠ ⁠ Gwen Stricker, Assoc. AIA, a Preservation Architectural Designer, and a Board Member for the Calumet Heritage Partnership, stands at the forefront of our commitment. The conference, "Showcasing Calumet Communities: Collaborative Directions for Museums and Heritage Areas," celebrated the Calumet Voices, National Stories exhibit. This exhibit, a collaboration of 15 regional museums and historical societies, highlighted the nationally significant story of the Calumet Heritage Area.⁠ ⁠ Furthermore, Gwen addressed guests during a program about restoration efforts at East Side Tap at 94th Street and Ewing Avenue in Chicago. The gathering was a way to “shine a spotlight on preservation in the Calumet region,” Stricker said, a complex area where “industry, residential communities and natural prairies, marshes and dunes are so tightly packed together.”

Nurture is proud to announce that the Yannell Residence has been awarded the Decarbonization Honor Award at the 2023 DESIGNIGHT event hosted by AIA Chicago. This prestigious award recognizes projects that exceed base-level energy reduction goals and exemplify the profession’s commitment to sustainability. The Yannell PHIUS+ Residence, a collaboration with the Yannell Foundation for Sustainable Development in Chicago, is the very first certified single-family Passive House Institute US (PHIUS 2018+) Retrofit in the Midwest.. "We are honored to receive this award, which recognizes our dedication to sustainable design and our efforts to push the boundaries of energy-efficient architecture," said April Hughes, President at Nurture. "The Yannell Residence is a testament to our commitment to creating a greener, more sustainable future for our communities."

Nurture is honored to receive a 2023 Commercial Design Citation of Merit from DOCOMOMO US for our meticulous restoration of Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park. Originally designed in 1955 by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the lodge is a landmark of Post-war Modern architecture. The restoration focused on preserving its distinctive concrete finish, known as "Shadowood," using a specialized process developed with research from the University of Pennsylvania. Despite challenges like its remote location and the need to remain open during restoration, our team's commitment to detail and preservation has ensured the lodge can be appreciated by its millions of annual visitors. “The attention to detail of the concrete repair and finish were astonishing and labor-intensive," observed Jury member Celia Bertoia. Jury member Ann Komara called it a "wonderful investigation into exterior concrete and a thoughtful, carefully crafted restoration."

Kelly Moynihan, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP, LFA, CPHC®, Principal at Nurture, has been awarded the 2023 AIA Illinois John Wellborn Root for Emerging Professionals Award. She is an advocate for climate policy and equity in the built environment, serving on various committees and boards to advance sustainability practices. Kelly's projects have received prestigious accreditations and awards, including LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge Petal Certifications. Her commitment to advocacy, education, and innovation continues to inspire and drive positive change in the built environment.