MHALA partners with Environ, Inc. to relocate programs, their corporate offices and revitalize Long Beach Boulevard

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHA) is working with Environ Architecture to expand and relocate their Downtown Long Beach facilities to 1955-1965 Long Beach Boulevard. The urban revitalization project was prompted by the agreement between the City of Long Beach and MHA which provided MHA with the two multi-level buildings where they will locate their administrative offices, a primary health care clinic, a drop-in service center and a community room. Also planned is a coffee shop and restaurant featuring street side dining, bringing new life and activity to the Long Beach Boulevard corridor.

Architect and President of Environ Architecture, Alan Burks states, “This is an investment in a part of Long Beach that has been ignored for too long.” Burks goes on to say, “We enjoy working with organizations which focus on improving the community and serving the people who live there.” Coincidentally, Environ worked on the interiors of the Social Security Administration building at 2001 Long Beach Boulevard back in 2003 and is currently working with the owner of 1975 Long Beach Boulevard to renovate that building as well. “It will be a true pleasure to see these buildings come alive again and thrive in their communities.”

Environ competes in CANstruction 2015

Yay TEAM ENVIRON / CRC!!!

2015 marked the first year Environ participated in the famed CANstruction competition. Organized by Terri Henry Marketing, the contest recruits engineering and design firms who are asked to create structures entirely out of canned food. Awards are given for Best Use of Labels, Best Meal, Structural Ingenuity, Jurors' Favorite, People's Choice and Honorable Mention.

Though our competition was tough - other firms included MHP/P2S, Moffatt & Nichol, SCS Engineers and c|a Architects - we were up for the challenge. 

First things first, we needed a design. This year's theme was "Breakfast CAN make a difference." Emails were exchanged, brainstorming sessions were had, and ideas sprouted. We put our collective thinking hats on, and

"Oh, tHe thiNks yOu Can thiNk!"

Life Takes Shape, with Environ's Lety Mimila

July 18, 2015 marked the ten-year anniversary of Environ Senior Architect Leticia Mimila. To celebrate this milestone, we sat down with the tenured employee for a conversation about what makes her tick.

It all started with shapes. As a child, Lety was chosen to attend a special program for a select group of students who were bused across Long Beach to receive an advanced curriculum. In middle school she was inspired by an exercise in 3D. The more complex the shapes became, the more excitedly she welcomed the challenge. The final assignment was the design of a house, and her path to pursuing architecture was born.

Having grown up in an impoverished neighborhood, Lety struggled to fit in with her less ambitious peers. Sometimes she even found herself hiding her scholastic achievements from friends. This, however, did not keep her from staying the course to prove to certain elders that she would overcome the stereotype of a life that often results from a low-income, single-parent home. The low expectations that some adults in her life had only made her more determined to become the successful, independent woman she is today.

Finding Inspiration in a Crumpled Piece of Paper

As designers, we are often asked what inspires us. It is a broad question and can render many answers. When an idea arises, it can be from the culmination of a series of events, or even a single random experience. What inspires us is forever changing, as it should be.

With the daily grind of drafting and modeling, sometimes the “why” is lost.  As much as routine is comforting, do you ever have a day when something happens that shakes you out of the expected? And even if it interrupts your flow, somehow you’re energized?

Finding inspiration in the unexpected or mundane is something we need to be reminded of, and when we need a little boost, we return to this video from time to time:

Eight Steps to Brace Your Space for Business Growth

Many companies struggle with new business growth by not knowing how to create and leverage efficiencies in their workplace. You already know how to manage your workforce, but you may not know that replanning your workplace can increase efficiency and save you money.

Few things are more exciting than replanning your workplace. You will have the opportunity to discover much more about your business and processes. You and your design professional should spend quality time together analyzing work spaces, designing specialized millwork, and selecting finishes. Your design professional should be either a registered architect or certified interior designer with experience in commercial  interiors.

You may be wondering how to begin the conversation about your workplace. Questions such as:

"What do I need?"

"How much space and what type of space is most conducive to my business?"

"What amenities do I need to attract and retain a talented workforce?"

Or ultimately,

"Should I stay where I am and renovate to gain efficiencies or should I relocate?"

Multi-Service Center: Ready for the Community

The Multi-Service Center in Long Beach opens its new doors to the public. Located mid-city, the 16,000 square foot facility is a social service access center that provides a wide variety of integrated, on-site services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The LBMSC provides accommodations for amenities such as shower and laundry facilities, a mailing center, abuse treatment, HIV/AIDS services, case management and housing coordination.  Twelve non-profit agencies operate from the LBMSC to provide a one-stop-shop for its users. Construction on the redesigned center commenced in early 2014. 

"Address Change" - a New Year Message from Alan Burks

The recession is finally over. Or, at least it’s beginning to feel that way. All of us in the architectural and building professions have been struggling for the last 8 years but 2014 seems to have been the turning point. 

Environ completed more buildings in 2014 than in the previous 5 years. And they are of varying project types: student housing, government laboratories, restaurants, higher education facilities, institutional facilities, several commercial building renovations, a multitude of tenant improvements and several master plans. We were able to increase our design staff by 30% and expect to add more talent in 2015. A lot of our long time clients have also experienced a growth spurt and have expanded or moved into larger facilities to accommodate  their needs. 

We have a new mayor, and there’s definitely a new energy in the air.  Change can be scary, however, and many of us proceed with caution. That said, I do see the potential for future integration of design disciplines, with more partnerships between construction and architecture forming, uniting to create a seamless experience for end users. This prospect is exciting and opens up opportunity to expand services into other areas like product design. 

The movie “Back to The Future II” portrayed 2015 as having flying cars. We’re not quite there, but things are looking up. 2014 was good. Here’s to making 2015 great.

~ Alan Burks