Giving Back

Since 2009, H/S has designed 8 playhouses for Cottages for CASA. Cottages for CASA is a playhouse fundraiser to generate public awareness and funding to support the work of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) services in their ten-parish area.   

H/S has an established first-generation endowed scholarship fund for the Department of Visual Art & Design at Southeastern Louisiana University for Excellence in Visual Arts or Music. The Holly & Smith Architects First-Generation Endowed Scholarship provides financial support to deserving first-generation undergraduate students who attend Southeastern Louisiana University and major in a discipline in the visual arts.

History

Much of the design process starts from knowing what happened before. History teaches us what is important to the place, people, and culture. Our historical analysis is accomplished through a series of visual investigations. We strive for our architecture to be respectful of its setting yet express its own individuality and form a part of an ever evolving history.

Material

Material selection plays a vital part of ensuring cohesiveness. In choosing materials we must take into account budget, durability, constructability, sustainability and aesthetics. We also relish the opportunity to experiment with new materials and search for indigenous materials closely related to the surrounding built environment and landscape.

Site

Architecture provides the means by which people exist within their environment. Our designs respond and react to the climactic conditions specific to the surroundings. We express the relationship between the landscape and building. We are also inspired by the site’s physical qualities. We search for the site’s unique aspects and use our design as a way to celebrate and enhance those qualities.

Tectonics

We see architecture as an expression of structure, both functional and beautiful. We think critically about building components to insure that they are beautifully integrated. We strategically reveal and conceal the structural and architectural connections while carefully incorporating various types of building systems into the building.

We Appreciate

all varieties of vernacular architecture, from the necessities imposed by climate and customs to the high level of local craftsmanship. We learn from history while advancing and embracing new building technology in order to provide better architecture for our clients.

We Believe

that an architectural experience should be subtly created through a sense of environmental responsiveness. In our design process, we attempt to express our sensitivity through the way we think, draw, and detail every element of the project.

Downtown Living

Many of us not only work downtown but live in downtown Hammond as well. Our community is prized for its vibrant town center with a wealth of entertainment and dining options, historic architecture and a neighborly atmosphere. Meanwhile, the world-class attractions of both New Orleans and Baton Rouge are less than an hour’s drive away.

Downtown Revitalization

H/S Architects has assisted with over 50 projects to revitalize downtown Hammond, including the restoration of the town’s landmark Columbia Theater. Our firm was instrumental in forming the Downtown Development District for Hammond in 1986 and representatives from our staff have served on its board ever since.

Friday Happy Hours

Enjoying a Friday Happy Hour together is one of the long-standing traditions at Holly & Smith Architects. These relaxed, informal gatherings give our staff a chance to connect with each other, celebrate their achievements and share the goals they have for the week ahead.

H/S NOLA

In 2010, we began a new chapter in the life of our firm with the opening of our New Orleans Studio. Due to project demand and increase in staff, the Studio expanded and established their “new digs” in the Lower Garden District on Historic Magazine Street. The newly renovated space offers an expansive open design studio and encourages team collaboration and exploration of material applications.