Sarah Peil Winstead, AIA, Achieves LEED AP ID+C Certification
31 July 2024
Sarah Peil Winstead, Associate at Nurture, has achieved LEED AP ID+C certification, marking a significant milestone in her career. With a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, Sarah brings a specialized focus in biophilic design and a strong portfolio of commercial interiors, hospitality, and award-winning residential design of varying scales. Sarah’s new credential highlights her dedication to environmental stewardship and enhances her leading role at Nurture. She is currently spearheading the comprehensive renovation of Evanston’s Ecology Center, a project targeting LEED Gold to align with the City of Evanston Climate Action and Resiliency Plan.
Evanston Ecology Center Breaks Ground with Nurture Architects
19 April 2024
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.
Nurture's Riya Desai, Assoc. AIA, Achieves LEED AP BD+C Certification
25 March 2024
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's Yannell PHIUS+ Residence Wins Decarbonization Honor Award at AIA Chicago's Designight 2023
15 September 2023
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."
April Selected for Jury AIA Honolulu Design Awards
15 March 2024
April Hughes, AIA has been selected by AIA Honolulu Design Awards Committee to participate as a juror for this year’s 2024 Design Awards Jury. The AIA Honolulu’s Annual Design Awards is Hawaii’s oldest program of its type—held annually since 1958. Built and unbuilt projects submitted by local AIA members are judged on their merit by a distinguished jury of AIA architects. All project types are eligible for submission by members—from small home renovations to multi-million-dollar resorts. The Annual AIA Honolulu Design Awards Program provides an avenue for AIA Honolulu architects to be recognized by their peers for their effort and dedication to excellence in architectural design. In doing so, AIA Honolulu hopes to raise public consciousness, awareness of design excellence and the special role of AIA architects in the community. The 2024 Design Awards Gala will be held Friday, July 26, 2024.
Nurture Awarded Honorable Mention at PhiusCon 2023 in Houston, Texas
11 November 2023
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.
Nurture Receives Recognition from Preservation Magazine for Jackson Lake Lodge Restoration
11 October 2023
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 Transforms Historic River North Space into Vibrant New Office
10 October 2023
Nurture is thrilled to announce its relocation to 314 W. Institute Place in May 2023, transforming a historic River North lot into a dynamic 2,000 square foot office space. The new location boasts abundant natural light and overlooks a newly landscaped city park, creating a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere. Collaborating with local muralist Emmy Brown, Nurture has adorned the office with captivating murals celebrating woman-owned companies. The space features industrial-inspired aesthetics with refinished concrete floors and interior black finishes, complementing the historic elements of the building. The office includes two well-appointed conference rooms, ample collaboration spaces, a fully equipped kitchen, and eco-friendly choices such as low VOC and recycled products Nurture hosted an Open House in October 2023 to showcase their new office space, further solidifying their presence in the vibrant River North neighborhood.
Nurture’s Gwen Stricker, Assoc. AIA Helps Lead Calumet Heritage Conference
01 October 2023
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.”
South Shore Beach House Awarded Masonry Advisory Council Best of Award
09 September 2023
The Masonry Advisory Council held its bi-annual Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards program in 2022, which recognizes architectural design excellence and the talent behind the execution of making those design concepts a reality. Architectural firms, mason contractors, and product suppliers are recognized for their contribution to architectural design, construction expertise, and the use of brick, block, and stone materials in commercial and residential projects. This year’s amazing event was held at the Museum of Science and Industry, a long-time client of Nurture. The Museum of Science and Industry Chicago is one of the largest science museums in the world. It’s home to more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity. Nurture was awarded the Best in Structural Masonry Design for our work on the South Shore Beach House, a project that featured exposed burnished architectural block not only as the exposed finish but as the primary structural element.
Nurture Receives 2023 Commercial Design Citation of Merit for Restoration of Jackson Lake Lodge
09 September 2023
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 Honored with AIA Illinois John Wellborn Root for Emerging Professionals Award
02 September 2023
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.
April Hughes, AIA Selected to Jury AIA Northern Virginia Design Awards
24 June 2023
April Hughes, AIA was invited by AIA Northern Virginia Design Awards Committee to participate as a juror for this year’s Awards Jury to be held in-person at AIA Chicago. The AIA NoVA Chapter Design Awards Program recognizes and celebrates their members’ achievements in design of the built environment and their commitment to design excellence in various practice groups. These prestigious awards, held August 10, 2023, demonstrate to the clients and the public the value of good design while identifying local firms and individuals dedicated to providing outstanding architectural design and service.
Just Certification Obtained
04 April 2023
We are thrilled to announce Nurture (formerly HPZS) is currently the only Woman-Owned Illinois architecture firm and one of two organizations headquartered in Chicago to have a Just 2.0 label. Administered by the International Living Futures Institute (ILFI), the JUST™ program is a system of metrics intended to measure organization’s performance on a range of issues relative to their policies and business practices. The result of this participation is a nutrition label, a publicly accessible scorecard transparently declaring the firm’s current performance measured against these metrics. HPZS is proud to be included in these endeavors, marking and leading the beginning of a new era of corporate transparency.
Riya Desai, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP Selected as Co-Chair for AIA Chicago Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
03 March 2023
Riya Desai, Assoc. AIA is leading the AIA Chicago EDI Committee as Co-Chair, and has been instrumental in driving the committee's goals forward. She is deeply committed to advancing equity and inclusivity within our profession, and as co-chair developing new initiatives and programming that address issues of bias and discrimination, fostering a more welcoming and supportive environment for underrepresented groups. Her leadership has been key in expanding the reach and impact of the EDI Committee, and in promoting a culture of respect, understanding, and inclusion across the architecture community.
AIA Chicago 2022 Presidential Citation Awarded to Kelly Moynihan, AIA
03 December 2022
Kelly Moynihan, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP, LFA, CPHC® has received the AIA Chicago 2022 Presidential Citation for her exceptional contributions to architecture. Kelly's leadership in sustainable design, exemplified by her diverse portfolio of projects, has garnered her prestigious awards and certifications. She is deeply engaged in the architecture community, serving on various boards and committees, and is dedicated to advancing education and community engagement. Nurture is privileged to have Kelly Moynihan as a Principal, inspiring our team and the wider architecture community with her leadership and commitment to excellence.