Micro-Grants for Macro Ideas
Our micro-grant program encourages exploration of new ideas from cross-office, cross-discipline teams made up of impassioned individuals with a common curiosity. Proposals around everything from social movements to sustainable materials are presented and voted on firm-wide; winning concepts are funded for investigation, and discoveries are shared across the firm and applied to our projects.
See examples from our micro-grants catalog below:
Building an Equity Toolkit
HGA’s design philosophy uniquely positions the firm to be an industry leader in bringing equity to the built environment. Through collaboration and original insights, clients trust HGA to challenge the status quo and create an enduring impact through our work.
Designing a Building’s Structural Resiliency
Structural is the longest lasting component of a building, designed to meet codes that address geological and environmental risks. Yet as we see with growing research, the climate is changing, and many codes may not be keeping up with evolving environmental risks.
Digital Twin App
A digital twin is a live model that copies physical objects and embeds information about an object’s properties. Information can include accurate size, location, installation data, asset tag, current status, and more.
Embodied Carbon Reduction
Cement is the key ingredient that gives concrete its strength – yet is also one of the largest emitters of CO2 in the built environment. Cement production creates approximately 7% of the world’s CO2 emissions and is the largest contributor to embodied carbon in the built environment.
New Advances in Mass Timber Construction
The post-pandemic emphasis on healthy environments is here to stay. In this highly digital technology age, circadian lighting’s importance is increasing, well-documented and will be an important factor in the future workplace.
Reducing Structural Vibrations in Academic Lab Buildings
Academic laboratory buildings are designed to meet industry standards for safety, often focusing on indoor air quality, ventilation, life-safety systems, lighting, and controlled entrances/exits. The structural integrity of academic lab buildings is additionally important.
Shaping the Microbiome
Humans, as living beings, are part of a much larger and complex ecosystem comprised of microorganisms. While it is well-known that nature makes people healthier, happier, and more productive, humans excel at building highly controlled indoor environments that shut nature out.
Women in Technology
Creating an equitable workplace for women in technology.