HMC Architects celebrates one year with Bassetti Architects, expanding mass timber expertise, community-focused design, and West Coast impact.
April marks a significant milestone for HMC Architects—one year since Bassetti Architects became a design studio of HMC, uniting two firms around a shared belief in the power of Design for Good to serve communities. Over the past twelve months, this partnership has evolved beyond integration. It represents a strategic alignment of expertise in education design, healthcare architecture, and civic environments, strengthening the firm’s delivery to clients across the West Coast.
Expanding Mass Timber and Sustainable Design Leadership
One of the most immediate impacts of the partnership has been the expansion of mass timber design expertise into new markets. Bassetti’s nationally recognized leadership in sustainable, high-performance educational environments is now informing projects across California and beyond. This growth supports increasing demand for low-carbon building strategies, resilient design, and sustainable campus planning—key priorities for institutions and communities navigating climate challenges.
Advancing Healing-Centered and Trauma-Informed Design
The firm has also continued to expand its work in trauma-informed and healing-centered design, building on Bassetti’s Architecture of Healing initiative.
Across healthcare, education, and civic projects, this approach prioritizes:
- Mental and behavioral health
- User well-being and safety
- Environments that reduce stress and support recovery and learning
These strategies are becoming increasingly essential as clients seek spaces that address both physical and emotional needs.
A Legacy of Civic Responsibility, Strengthened
For more than 85 years, HMC Architects has approached architecture as a civic responsibility—grounded in service, shared learning, and long-term stewardship. That legacy is now strengthened by Bassetti’s deep expertise in PreK–12 and higher education design, along with its longstanding commitment to community-driven architecture across the Pacific Northwest. Together, the firm brings a broader perspective to complex challenges—helping clients align design decisions with long-term institutional and community goals.
Delivering Greater Value for Clients and Communities
Across studios and regions, integrated teams are delivering:
- More informed planning strategies
- Greater design innovation
- Stronger project outcomes rooted in collaboration and shared insight
The result is a more agile and responsive design practice—one that translates complexity into clear, actionable solutions.
Meeting the Moment in a Changing World
In a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world, the role of architecture continues to evolve. From climate resilience and decarbonization to mental health and evolving learning environments, today’s challenges require integrated thinking and multidisciplinary expertise. One year in, HMC Architects—with Bassetti as a design studio—is positioned to meet that moment.
Looking Ahead
As the firm looks forward, the focus remains on:
- Expanding sustainable and mass timber design leadership
- Strengthening partnerships with clients and communities
- Advancing Design for Good through measurable impact
One year after coming together, the momentum is clear—and the work ahead has never been more important.
So, whether you’re exploring how mass timber can elevate performance, sustainability, and community impact in your next project, or want to learn more about its potential, we’d welcome the conversation.
