Welcome to Five in Focus, HMC Architects’ blog series spotlighting the trends, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of architecture and design. Each edition features insights from our leaders as they share what inspires them and how it informs their work.
As HMC closes an important year—one that marked our 85th anniversary, expanded our presence across the West Coast, and advanced our commitment to Design for Good—CEO Brian Staton reflects on five themes that are shaping our practice and the future of the built environment. These priorities represent where we’ve been, where we’re going, and how we intend to continue delivering meaningful impact for the communities we serve.
1. Design with Purpose: Strengthening Our Mission
Reaching 85 years as a firm is a milestone that speaks to the enduring value of architecture rooted in purpose. At HMC, our ethos—Design for Good—guides every decision we make. It is a commitment to creating environments that uplift people, strengthen communities, and advance long-term well-being. As we look to the future, we are deepening this commitment by integrating more holistic design approaches that consider environmental, social, and human-centered outcomes from the start.
2. A Stronger, Wider Practice Through Acquiring Bassetti Architects
In April, we welcomed Bassetti Architects into HMC as a new design studio, expanding our reach into the Pacific Northwest and enhancing our expertise in education, community, and civic projects. Their design leadership and shared values have enabled us to offer clients a broader, more integrated set of capabilities. Together, our teams now span major markets across California, Oregon, and Washington—creating a unified West Coast practice with deeper insight, stronger partnerships, and greater design capacity.
3. Bringing Mass Timber Innovation to California
One of the most exciting opportunities emerging from our acquisition of Bassetti is the ability to bring mass timber expertise to new markets throughout California. As the industry seeks solutions that reduce embodied carbon, improve indoor environmental quality, and accelerate construction timelines, mass timber is becoming a powerful tool for sustainable design. HMC is now positioned to help clients navigate this shift—pairing Bassetti’s national leadership in mass timber with our extensive California project experience.
4. Advancing Healing-Centered Design Across All Sectors
In 2025, we released Architecture of Healing: Trauma-Informed Design, a guidebook that distills years of exploration into strategies for creating spaces that promote safety, dignity, and resilience. While rooted in healthcare, the principles extend to education, civic, and community environments. This work reflects our belief that architecture has a profound role in shaping the human experience. By integrating trauma-informed design into our practice, we are helping clients create environments that support both immediate needs and long-term well-being.
5. Embracing Resilience and Leading Through Change
Our industry is evolving rapidly—from climate imperatives and new regulatory frameworks to advances in artificial intelligence and shifting community expectations. At HMC, we see these forces not as pressures to withstand, but as opportunities to shape a more resilient and future-ready built environment. Resilience—both in mindset and methodology—guides how we respond. Whether leveraging AI to enhance early-stage planning and speed decision-making, applying healing-centered principles to strengthen human impact, or expanding sustainable approaches like mass timber, our focus is on design strategies that adapt, endure, and create long-term value. As the industry continues to shift, we remain committed to partnering with clients and communities who are ready to explore new possibilities and co-create solutions for a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.
Looking Forward
As we enter our next chapter, we’re energized by the opportunities to support our clients in new and meaningful ways. Expanding our expertise, deepening our regional presence, and advancing our mission allow us to deliver design solutions that create lasting value for the people and places you serve. We are grateful for the trust our clients and partners place in us. Your vision drives our work, and we look forward to collaborating with you to turn bold ideas into impactful results in the year ahead.
