Hacin + Associates [architecture + design in boston]

We use this blog to post quick updates about people and projects, and to share thoughts, ideas, and photos. For more information about Hacin + Associates including a full portfolio, visit our website at www.hacin.com.

Sneak Peak: Carriage House + Townhouse

BEACON HILL CARRIAGE HOUSE
A warm, multifunctional kitchen and custom millwork adapt a historic carriage house for a modern family life.

"H+A had the right team to make our dream kitchen a reality. Our new space is sophisticated, comfortable and organized -- great for entertaining or just a low-key night in."

client > Private residential client
location > Boston, MA
year completed > 2011
sq footage > 2800 SF

The challenge of this Beacon Hill home was to take a historic carriage house with small, closed spaces and turn it into a comfortable light-filled home for a young family. The kitchen was the most significantly renovated part of the historic building. The clean, elegant space is the heart of the house equally comfortable for major entertaining or an intimate cup of coffee.

Design can change your business: Phil Johnson of PJA advertising + marketing

I recently had the chance to chat with Phil Johnson [@philjohnson] of PJA advertising + marketing, who talked enthusiastically about the ways that the agency's new space has affected their business. Below are some insights from our conversation. A big thanks to Phil for his candid feedback, and to PJA for being so vibrant, engaged, and fun to work with! 

- Nicole Fichera

PJA Advertising is an advertising and marketing agency that combines marketing strategy and creative curiosity to find hidden truths that others are missing in order to help innovative brands challenge convention and find an unfair advantage against outsized competition. They wanted a creative environment, but [according to Phil] they did not want to make their space “look” creative by “putting a bunch of cool stuff everywhere and a pinball machine in the kitchen.”

The existing space was very complicated: several wings off a high-ceilinged main space with a mezzanine loft. These non-contiguous spaces each had their own look and feel. Groups of people occupied their part of the office with very little movement, and the workflow was fragmented.

H+A wanted to counteract this stagnation and fragmentation, drawing people throughout every part of the office. After an extensive series of programming interviews, departments are now clustered and distributed throughout the office with key proximity relationships to support the fast-paced, collaborative workflow.

Way to go partner: Sasaki receives Award

The American Planning Association has recognized Sasaki [our partner firm] with their 2012 National Planning Firm Award. Congratulations Sasaki!

H+A in Boston: Hillary Faccio + 'Hot Pour' Glass

It's been awhile since we caught up with our Accounting Department Manager, Hillary Faccio. With a blog up and running, Hillary is gearing up for her ninth straight year as a teaching assistant for the Spring semester studio 'Hot Pour Glass' at the Massachusetts College of Art + Design. Take a look at the step-by-step process of creating a sand cast sculptural object using hot pour glass as narrated by Hillary here.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

All of us at H+A would like to wish you a very happy holiday season. We look forward to what lies ahead for 2012-- It's going to be a great year!