News

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.”

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.

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 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.

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.

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.