CJRC's Open House

On Monday January 24th,Durham County held an open house for MHAworks newly renovated Criminal Justice Resource Center (CJRC). This extensive building renovation is another first in Durham County's expanding commitment to sustainable efforts. It will be the first Durham County project to achieve LEED-Gold certification through the "LEED for Commercial Interiors" rating system. As a former Jail this 3 story, 40,600 sq ft building has undergone dramatic renovations on the exterior as well as the interior. It has been transformed into a modern industrial office space and center for released inmates. Staff members of CJRC guided guests on in-depth tours of the buildings 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors. "Before" images were placed throughout the tour showing visitors the drastic changes throughout the design. Figures such as the Durham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Michael Page, Vice Chairman Ellen Reckhow, Chief District Court Judge Marcia Morey and Tim Moose, Director of the State Department of Correction, Division of Community Corrections were speakers at the event.

See press highlights and articles from local news organizations:
Herald Sun Durham NC
WRAL NEWS

The Dedication of 4-H

January 6th, 2011, North Carolina State University, in conjunction with the NC Cooperative Extension and 4-H held the official ribbon cutting and dedication of the Eastern 4-H Center’s “Conference and Recreation Hall” designed by MHAworks, PA. The high-profile event hosted a large crowd with special guests including NCSU Board of Trustees Chair, Lawrence Davenport, NCSU Chancellor Randy Woodson, and the Dean of the NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Dr. Johnny Wynne. Other special guests included representatives from local, state, and national elected officials.
The day’s events started with an open tour of the facility with the large dining hall providing hors d'oeuvres and refreshments. Various 4-H, agriculture, and environmental organizations and agencies were present with booths promoting environmental education and awareness. MHAworks, along with the building’s general contractor, Centurion Construction Company was on hand and featured a display showcasing the “green” features of the building and explained more about the building’s construction to guests.
This facility was created to serve, as its name suggests, as a Conference and Recreation Hall for this region of the state. In addition to being used for 4-H related functions at the Environmental Education Center, it will serve as a large conference center for organizations from churches to local governments.
Pending final certification from USGBC, this facility will be North Carolina State University’s FIRST LEED-Silver building. This is appropriate given the main purpose of this Conference Center is to promote environmental education.

Introducing Henry Dagit, AIA, LEED AP

Henry grew up in a family of Philadelphia architects and first attended architecture school at Ohio State University but the lure of surf and sea called him to the Outer Banks where he continued to design and learned to build. He eventually transferred to North Carolina State University where he received his architectural degrees and expanded his project experience to include sophisticated pharmaceutical research and manufacturing environments. While these technology projects were a natural part of Research Triangle Park they provided a wonderful opportunity to expand and also serve large corporations regionally and even abroad. This has led to work on projects in three countries and nine states gaining licensure in four of those states. The cultural interchanges are cherished and have helped him realize that great buildings come from great teams and it is managing the relationships on those teams that drive the creation of successful buildings. Henry resides in Raleigh with his wife Vickie, two daughters, and a mean gray cat named Buckeye. He enjoys time with his family wrapped around sports and the outdoors with a special disposition towards surfing, sailing, basketball, and even mixed doubles tennis although he won’t admit to that.

Meet the New Intern

Originally from upstate New York, Brittany has spent the last 5 yrs in Savannah, GA studying interior design and illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Along with a love for experiential design, sustainability,and interior branding, Brittany has a thriving passion for package design and illustration. As our new interior design intern, Brittany will also be helping out in our office and marketing department. Brittany aspires to be a LEED interior designer in a wide variety of practice areas. Outside the office, she enjoys watching movies, trips to the beach and spending time with her boyfriend and their two cats. Being new to the area, she is currently taking in all that Durham has to offer.

A familiar face returns to MHAworks

MHAworks' newest architect is Jim Daughtrey who has over twenty-five years of experience as a project architect and project manager in healthcare, educational, civic, commercial and residential design. Jim graduated from North Carolina State University's College of Design and worked for several Triangle architectural firms, including MHAworks. After working for firms in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Seattle, he has returned to Durham to work with MHAworks once more. Jim has a special interest in historic preservation/adaptive reuse and has served on the Chapel Hill Historic District Commission. When working on a project, he believes it is necessary to create a partnership with clients and user groups to create a building that is responsive and beneficial to their needs. His hands-on approach throughout the planning, design, and construction process focuses on delivering healing and efficient designs with an emphasis on the future of healthcare.
Welcome Back Jim!

Leadership Durham Program

George Hining is Approved for Leadership Durham


Leadership Durham is a program of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce that opens doors for local businessmen and women and community leaders with the desire and ability to shape its future. Through a series of meeting with state leaders, participants explore major issues and unique challenges facing the Durham community. Interactive topics include in-depth discussions on Durham’s history, leadership development, the role of the Durham Chamber of Commerce, economic development, community development, education, marketing Durham, parks and recreation, among many more. Selection is based upon demonstrated leadership ability, evidence of community involvement, willingness to assume greater community responsibilities and professional/personal recommendations. Another component the Leadership Durham experience encourages is leadership participation in one of the many diverse nonprofit organizations in our community. Such participation not only strengthens our community, but also refines leadership skills. Our very own George Hining was selected for participation in this select program.

NC State's 4-H Center

Scheduled to be NC State’s first LEED Project!

Tyrrell County’s Eastern 4-H Conference & Recreation Center is slated to be North Carolina State University’s very first LEED Certified project completed in 2010. The design team has pursued a goal of LEED Silver certification and is now waiting on its approval. Sustainable strategies include maximizing day-lighting, using rapidly renewable, regional, and recycled building materials, minimizing heat-island effect, and minimizing utility consumption.

The exterior of the building is comprised of painted tilt-up concrete panels with integrated thin-brick. Wood accents at entry spaces were incorporated to maintain the 4-H Camp’s overall aesthetic. The building’s programmed spaces include an 8,000 square foot recreation/convention space with bamboo sport flooring, a two hundred person meeting/dining hall, a catering kitchen, breakout rooms/classrooms, and administrative spaces. Heating and cooling will be economized by the use of 70 geothermal wells. The building is approximately 20,000 SF. MHAworks was responsible for full architectural services and LEED Coordination.