Heluna Health welcomes 2018 with a New Face and a New Space

Public Health Foundation Enterprises (PHFE), a nonprofit agency known as ‘the nation’s premier catalyst for optimizing population health,’ recently changed its name to Heluna Health. Heluna (a Hawaiian word for "total count” or “population") Health better reflects the organization’s work at the community-level implementing and supporting evidence-based interventions across the population health spectrum. Heluna Health partners with academic researchers, government agencies, foundations and private sponsors to offer services such as program development, contract/grants management, as well as fiscal and human resource support. With their new identity, Heluna Health will continue to grow its national portfolio. In addition to a new face, the company recently introduced a new space.

Newsletter December 2017

As the year wraps up, we reflect on 2017 at Environ.

Environ turns 25! The firm opened its doors in 1992 by founder and President, Alan Burks. A few years later, he partnered with Willetta McCulloh, Vice President, and the two have been leading Environ ever since. We are grateful for this journey and look forward to Environ's future.

Mental Health America Breaks Ground

Pictured here are Environ's Senior Architect, Leticia Mimila and President Alan Burks, who have been leading the team on the Mental Health America project since its conceptual design in 2014. In September of this year, we attended the groundbreaking of the new facility located on Long Beach Boulevard, which is currently under construction. Above is the latest rendering of MHA.

A Decade for Aimee Mandala

Aimee Mandala celebrates 10 years at Environ! As Director of Operations, Aimee handles all aspects of keeping the office running smoothly. She is a LEED Accredited Professional through the US Green Business Council and a Certified Design Firm Administrator through the Society of Design Administration. To learn more about her career success, check out the "Hats Off to Aimee Mandala!" feature. 

In Process: Bixby Business Center

Plans are underway for the renovation of the exterior and lobby areas of the Bixby Business Center, located at the cross section of Atlantic Avenue and San Antonio Drive. Above are renderings of the proposed upgrades.

Let There Be Light: A Study in Safety

Environ's CityWorks division has partnered with Lighting Designer Oculus and Safety Consultant Guidepost Solutions to improve downtown Hermosa Beach through a process called CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). The proposed changes will not only provide a safer environment, but also an enhanced aesthetic to the area. Click on the image below for the CityWorks slideshow.

Introducing: Michael Anthony Gentile

Environ is pleased to announce its latest addition, Interior Designer, Michael Anthony Gentile.  Michael is a creative designer with a diverse set of skills including project and design management for multi-component international hospitality projects. With a dynamic design approach and focus on design communication, Michael is recognized for award winning projects.

In addition to a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SLU, Michael is LEED AP, and a member of NEWH, The Hospitality Industry Network. Michael lives in Long Beach with his wife and three children. We are thrilled to have him on our team.

"Flexing" for the Camera

Our latest flex space design is for a security technology company, ECAM Secure. They provide state of the art surveillance products and services for a wide variety of clients. This year, ECAM Secure is combining multiple locations into one. The space will serve to function on many levels with the technical departments operating alongside the administrative teams. Shown in the rendering below are the executive offices and conference room, which will be housed in one of four separate mezzanines planned for the space.

Introducing: The ON Series by EnvirON

an educational and fun periodical - look for more issues in 2018. Click on image to enlarge.

Kebony recognizes Environ's Blog

Kudos to our marketing team! We were listed number 20 of the top 100 architectural blogs to follow: "Environ’s blog stands out by offering more than most with tips on workplace branding, culture preservation and more. The casual mood of the blog conveys information in an entertaining, yet very professional, manner. " Thanks Kebony! To follow us, click HERE.

Holiday Cheer!

In December, Environ's Willetta McCulloh hosted the Long Beach Rotary Club's "5 O'Clock Somewhere" event, complete with live music, a mashed potato bar by TGIS and wine from The Wine Country. We also enjoyed an office Pictionary competition and gift exchange. Click HERE for complete photo album.

Green Facility Gets Green Light - Environ's AES Design Approved

In early 2017, Environ was approached by AES Corporation's Director of Sustainability, Stephen O'Kane to come up with a facade design for its facility in Los Alamitos. The Alamitos Energy Center will replace its existing plant with a modernized facility.

The proposed modernization will include a replacement of their current water-cooled generators with air-cooled gas turbines, and three 300-megawatt battery buildings for which Environ designed the facades. The new plant will provide system stability by delivering reactive power, voltage support and frequency stability. It's a step forward in support of California's green energy goals. 

Newsletter July 2017

WEBSITE UPGRADE Environ's website got a face-lift. We've added more projects, information on CityWorks, and recent portraits of staff. Check it out here: www.environarch.com. RESTORATION OF SEABORG HOUSE The City of South Gate has engaged Environ Architecture to assist in the restoration of the historical landmark known as Seaborg House. Its notable distinction is due to its famous resident Glenn T. Seaborg. Glenn Seaborg was a Nobel Prize winning Chemist, famous for the discovery of ten transuranium elements, including plutonium. He was a member of the Manhattan Project and is one of a few scientists joining Einstein and Fermi to have a periodic element named after him while still living (Seaborgium). He was a Professor at UC Berkeley, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and advised many of our country's Presidents on nuclear policy. Environ's Alan Burks and Leticia Mimila are working with City of South Gate's Paul Adams to coordinate the restoration of the significant building. The Seaborg House was moved from its original location on San Antonio to behind the South Gate Museum, where it has sat boarded up until now. It will be moved to a permanent site along Glenn T. Seaborg Way at the south side of City Hall, where it can be viewed and appreciated by the public.

The Significance of Branding in Your Workplace

Most small and medium sized businesses overlook an important first step when they start their company: their workplace branding. Existing businesses need to revisit their workplace branding from time to time as well because their products, employees or services change and the marketplace does too. 

·    How does workplace branding differ from branding in general? 
·    Why is it important?     

Workplace branding is an extension of your personal or your company’s brand. Your workplace (skyscraper, office, warehouse, desk, etc.) is where you do your work. The simple branding model is YOU + your passion and knowledge or a company’s collective passion and knowledge. For companies of any size successful branding begins with the honest appraisal of your company’s main business, your strengths and your customers’ needs…and how you address them. Workplace branding is like putting the clothes on the model.
If you have not chosen the location for your business, or if you’re thinking of moving or upgrading, make sure your workplace and the company’s culturally distinct workspace inside it are a direct extension of the simpler branding ideal. Be it a warehouse, an office or a trendy loft, your workplace brand should reflect who you are and how you want both your employees and your customers to perceive you. 

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.”

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?"

Sounds Like a Plan: The Need for Acoustic Consultants

So your finished project looks great, but how does it sound? Your response may be, “Come again?” or, “Say what?”

It is usually no surprise that when it comes to building an auditorium or concert venue, the project would require a noise specialist or acoustician. With the influx of demand for open creative space, there is an increased need for such services to ensure security and privacy in some professions that were previously occupying the more typical, compartmentalized office layout.

Belmont Point - Ready for Occupancy

After the success of Environ’s renovation of Mitchell Land & Improvement Company’s Naples Plaza, the Long Beach-based developer engaged Environ to reposition and expand the existing building at the intersection of 2nd Street, The Toledo and Bay Shore Avenue in Long Beach.  

The building will serve as Mitchell Land & Improvement’s corporate headquarters, with retail space available on the ground floor.

Tim Wilson, President of Mitchell Land and Improvement, said the property had been on his radar for the last ten years, not only for the many amenities 2nd Street has to offer, but for its proximity to his home.