June 2015

In this issue of Full Circle, we focus on the celebration of 30 years of business in Central Florida.

C.T. HSU + ASSOCIATES CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF BUSINESS

C.T. Hsu + Associates (CTH+A) opened its doors in Orlando, FL on July 5, 1984. Thirty years later, the firm has earned respect and esteem: as one of Central Florida's leading businesses, as an awarding winning firm, a worldwide reputation for exceptional innovate design solutions with highly personalized services, and as dedicated community servants. The firm's work has enriched the quality of life in the Central Florida region professionally, culturally, and economically.

The Celebration - October 9, 2014 is C.T. Hsu + Associates Day in the City of Orlando

The celebration was commemorated with a 30th Anniversary event at its' offices themed "East Meets West". The day was marked with a schedule of events including a proclamation from the City of Orlando's Mayor Buddy Dyer, entertainment performances by Dr. Sandy Shugart & The January Band, Catherine Way a talented harpist, a Chinese musician duo Mr. Rui Yang & Ms. Luo Wu, as well as local Chinese artist Guang - Hui Zhao. (Read More...)

FEATURED PROJECT: LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS EUSTIS HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS PROJECT

Eustis Heights Elementary School (EHES) located in Eustis, Florida, opened for classes on May 4, 2015 with 607 students. CTH+A provided architectural and engineering design services for campus-wide renovations, remodeling, and additions to the existing Eustis Heights Elementary School.

The design provides space for 820 student stations, and is punctuated throughout with vivid colors on the floors and walls. The new two-story building houses 21 classrooms, a media center, science and music labs, cafeteria, and administration offices. The project includes 31,846 GSF of renovated space and 72,368 GSF of new construction space. The construction cost was $13,400,000. (Read More...)

EMPLOYEE PROFILE
George Thomas, AIA, CPM, NCARB
Senior Associate

George Thomas, AIA, CPM, NCARB has 25 years' experience in the architectural industry working for private architectural firms. George's professional architectural portfolio includes K-12 education, transportation, civic/government, commercial, residential, and health care projects throughout the United States. He is a registered architect in Florida, Texas, and NCARB certified. During his tenure at CTH+A, he has managed several projects for clients including The School District of Osceola County, Orange County Public Schools, Orange County, The First Academy, and Goodwill Industries. (Read More...)

CTH+A FIRM NEWS

Holden Heights Community Center Opens - C.T. Hsu + Associates (CTH+A) participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony on June 17, 2015 signifying the official opening of the project. The project is located in Orlando's established Holden Heights Neighborhood on the shore of Lake June.

This facility is an 11,600 square foot community center that provides the citizens of Orange County with a scenic and picturesque indoor and outdoor venue for a variety of group gatherings such as weddings, banquets, and receptions. (Read More...)

Give Kids The World Village Towne Hall Nearing Completion - CTH+A was honored to provide architectural design services for the new 53,000 SF Towne Hall that connects to the existing 5,600 SF dining facility known as the "Gingerbread House". The grand opening and ribbon cutting event of the Towne Hall will occur in August 2015.

The new Towne Hall will be a welcome addition and will be opening at the same time as the Enchanted Carousel and a Castle of Miracles at the Give Kids The World Village. Give Kids The World Village provides free week-long vacations to kids with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Give Kids The World has helped more than 138,000 kids from all 50 states and 75 countries since it opened in 1986. (Read More...)

CTH+A hosts the AIAS University of Central Florida and Valencia College Firm Crawl - CTH+A hosted several American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) members for the 2015 Firm Crawl including students from Valencia College and the University of Central Florida who are part of the 2+2+2 program. The 2+2+2 program allows architectural students to complete all their degrees in Central Florida including: their Associates' degree from Valencia, their Bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida, and their Master's degree from the University of Florida housed in UF's Citylab in downtown Orlando. (Read More...)

CTH+A Staff Members Speak at a Presentation Session at 2015 FEFPA Winter Conference - C.T. Hsu, FAIA and George Thomas, AIA, CPM, NCARB prepared a training session presentation entitled, "Strategies to Better Integrate Schools within Urban Growth Boundaries". The course focused on strategies to better integrate schools into more densely populated communities planned within the Urban Growth Boundary of a Comprehensive Plan. Some of the topics they discussed included Florida's changing demographic urbanization trends, urban school characteristics, case studies, and recommended strategies. The overall objective was to provide the attendees with an understanding of how the integration of schools have been approached in other urban settings in Florida and other communities within the United States.

The First Academy's New Athletic Field House - CTH+A was awarded a contract to design The First Academy's (TFA's) New Athletic Field House facility. TFA is a Christ-center, college-preparatory school that serves over 1,200 Central Florida students that attend grades K4 through K-12. TFA participates in over 20 interscholastic sports at the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school levels, and their students have won numerous district, regional, and state championships. (Read More...)

CTH+A STAFF NEWS

C.T. Hsu Honored with AACC Lifetime Achievement Award -

The Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida honored C.T. Hsu, FAIA as the recipient of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Dragon Awards event in the fall of 2014. C.T. is a past president of the Asian American Chamber. "C.T. is a role model for rising entrepreneurs, especially young Asian professionals who, like him, approach their work and service to community with passion," said Coco Johnston, 2014 Asian American Chamber of Commerce President. "In our fifth anniversary year for the Golden Dragon Awards, his enduring contributions to the Greater Orlando area embody our celebration of Commerce, Community and Culture." (Read More...)

CTH+A Promotes Two Staff Members

George Thomas, AIA, CPM, NCARB was promoted to Senior Associate. Thomas is a Senior Project Manager of the firm, and he has 25 years of experience in the architecture profession. His experience includes all phases of design and construction for institutional, educational, and commercial projects. He holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of South Florida, and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Florida.

Kristine Kurek Melanson was promoted to Associate. For the past five years, Melanson has been the Senior Marketing Manager for the firm. She has over 20 years' experience in marketing and business development for architectural and related design firms. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Marketing from the University of Central Florida.

CTH+A Hires Three Employees

Nathan Ferrer

is an Architectural Intern with the firm. Nathan is the firm's second graduate hired from the 2+2+2 architectural program that offers every step of an architectural education in Central Florida housed facilities. Nathan completed his Associates' degree at Valencia, his Bachelor's degree at the University of Central Florida, and earned his Master's degree at the University of Florida at the Orlando CityLab. Before becoming a full time employee in May, Nathan worked for CTH+A on a part-time position for over a year.

CTH+A welcomes Harry Sempeles back to the firm as a Senior Project Manager. This is the second time that Harry has been employed by CTH+A. In 2001, he worked for CTH+A as Project Architect, and was part of team that designed several higher education and K-12 projects. Upon his return to CTH+A, he has 20 years of experience, and his design portfolio includes higher education, K-12 education, commercial, government, healthcare, and residential projects. He holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida.

Sydney Chappell is an Administrative Assistant with the firm. Sydney's previous experience was with Central Florida commercial businesses where she provided front desk responsibilities and office management activities. She has significant volunteer experience working with children throughout Central Florida, and she holds an Associates of Arts degree from Valencia College. She is a welcome addition to the CTH+A Team. Along with her administrative duties, she will be supporting the Marketing, Construction Administration, Design, and Accounting Departments.

CTH+A PROJECTS IN PROCESS

MLS Orlando City Soccer Stadium - CTH+A, as an associate architect to Populous, is in the process of preparing design documents for the new Soccer Stadium in downtown Orlando. It will be the home venue for the Orlando City Soccer Club, which entered Major League Soccer (MLS) as an expansion franchise in 2015. (Read More...)

Palm Coast City Hall - C.T. Hsu + Associates (CTH+A) provided architectural services for the new Palm Coast City Hall facility to be located on Lake Avenue at Central Park in Town Center. (Read More...)

OCPS Cypress Creek High School Comprehensive Needs Project - CTH+A is in the construction administration phase for Orange County Public Schools' Cypress Creek High School Comprehensive Needs Project. (Read More...)

OCPS Dr. Phillips High School Comprehensive Needs Project - CTH+A just completed all phases of services on the project, and it is expected to be open for students to attend in the fall of 2015. (Read More...)

C.T. Hsu + Associates, P.A.
820 Irma Avenue � Orlando, FL 32803 � 407 423 0098 � Fax 407 423 4793
CTHSU.com

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