Hafsa Burt has been running her own studio, hb+a Architects since 2006. Her portfolio includes work at the San Francisco Airport, institutional buildings, multifamily buildings, hospitality, retail, medical office buildings, and custom single-family homes.

Hafsa recently took the time to speak with Haute Design regarding an affordable housing proposal her firm submitted for Melbourne, Australia.

Haute Design: Do you typically engage in projects overseas?

Hafsa Burt: We typically do seek work overseas and frequently respond to design challenges that tackle a unique set of problems and address larger social or environmental issues.

HD: How would affordable housing benefit the surrounding community? Is affordable housing a major issue in Melbourne?

HB: Melbourne, just like any growing metropolis, will need 1.6 million new homes to be constructed over the next couple of decades. This proposal was created for a design challenge where the task was to address the housing problems by creating affordable solutions. Solutions were meant to be varied enough to accommodate a diverse set of users from individuals to families.

HD: You mentioned this project included cutting-edge technologies. Could you tell us a little bit about what that entails?

HB: We stacked up shipping containers in a grid-like pattern, vertically and horizontally, and arranged them individually for smaller size units, and for the larger units, we combined configurations with two more containers. The grid is formed by structural members in a matrix-like pattern, with the containers sliding into the slots.

HD: You are known for creating environmentally sustainable buildings and spaces. How will this proposal for the affordable housing project follow suit?

HB: We take pride in thinking outside the box, so there is no one single formula for a problem, but rather a mindset rooted in experimentation. The overarching concept for this proposal is creating multi-family blocks which rely on renewable energy sources and therefore are clean in their operations. Energy usage is further monitored by onsite applications.

HD: What is the timeline regarding the next steps?

HB: The next steps are to further develop the solutions and to create configurations that aren't cuboid in nature. This way, the buildings can be constructed on infill sites no matter how small the area and further allow the building elevations to harness solar energy.

To learn more about Hafsa Burt or to contact hb+a Architects, CLICK HERE.

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Editor’s Note: Haute Designer Hafsa Burt has been practicing architecture for 22 years. She has an undergraduate degree and a professional Master of Architecture from the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD). Burt has been running her own studio, hb+a Architects since 2006. Her portfolio includes work at the San Francisco Airport, institutional buildings, multifamily buildings, hospitality, retail, medical office buildings, and custom single-family homes.

She also founded a development arm for the firm called Box Lab which is focused on active research and development in product and space design and zero energy/zero carbon buildings. A passionate environmentalist, Burt adopted the 2030 challenge a decade ago and is a huge proponent of high-performance buildings. Her focus includes eliminating toxins with indoor air quality as a specialty. She actively speaks on the topic of indoor air quality as it relates to the practice of architecture and is an industry expert on “Healthy Building Practices”.

Here, she talked with Haute Design about her architecture firm, favorite design projects, and her sustainability and environmental goals for the future. 

11 luxury townhomes at Stonebrae golf community

Photo Credit: hb+a Architects

How did you get started in design?

I come from a family who, despite having advanced degrees in science, were creative and have relatives who are also engineers. Growing up, conversations were about creativity, problem-solving, and theories, and so it was a very creative and intellectual household. There was a lot of importance given to academics. I was particularly interested in physics, and in high school, I also got interested in the arts, specifically sculpture. Architecture just seemed like a natural fit, given those interests and my background growing up.

Tell us a little bit more about hb+a Architects as well as Box Lab.

I worked for larger companies before I started the design studio. It was a natural next chapter once I got my license. Most of my colleagues that were starting their studios were doing smaller jobs, but right from the beginning I started collaborating on institutional projects with other architects. So that led to projects such as working on the San Francisco Airport, and other institutional work, that really helped the business develop.

The idea for Box Lab came because I've always been interested in real estate development. Sometimes your ideas get kind of squished when you're working for clients, because it's their vision, and it's your job to make their vision become a reality. With Box Lab, I can put my own visions out there specifically as they relate to environmental sustainability. Zero carbon or carbon neutrality has been a focus of mine for 20 plus years, and most projects just address what's needed by local mandates. I thought there was a need to develop actual zero carbon prototypes. It took a while, but it came about in 2019, and since then, we've done a few projects.

Mei Apartments in San Leandro, CA

Photo Credit: hb+a Architects

What have been some of your favorite design projects that you've worked on so far?

I would say different projects have different favorite moments. For instance, in the single-family residence for Box Lab, we set out pretty ambitious goals for carbon neutrality and zero energy, and also construction efficiency. These goals were met very successfully. 

I also did a retail store for a client way early on when I had just started the studio, and their budget was extremely strapped, but the owner had this unique personality and I wanted to give it a unique flavor without burning her budget. It was a good exercise in terms of finding materials and objects and turning them into fixtures for her retail store to give it its own individual character. 

What would you say are some of the biggest accomplishments that your firm has accomplished so far?

I think it's a work in progress. I do like the fact that for just starting the studio in 2006, we were able to scale to much larger projects. That's a big one. We also are focused on carbon neutrality and zero energy, and we've kind of pioneered that. We also started the discussion of healthy buildings and indoor air roughly a decade before the pandemic. These are some of the things that I would say I'm proud of because we were ahead of the time. Everybody's talking about climate initiatives right now because it's so crucial for the industry, but for 20 plus years that's been our focus, we're not just trend-driven. It's a larger philosophy in terms of how buildings are built. I am proud of having done thoughtful work embedded in environmental and social awareness throughout my career instead of being trend-driven.

21 unit mixed-use project in Oakland, CA

Photo Credit: hb+a Architects

What do you see for the future of your company and the industry in general?

Based on what the scientists are telling us, we have to reduce the greenhouse gases all over the world by 65% in the next nine years, and that's a pretty strong deadline. I'm hoping that that's where the industry would move. There is a bigger sense of urgency than, say, 20 years ago when we were talking about it. Some people may be caught by surprise in 2030 when it's too late, but ideally, that's where the industry is moving. 

As for us, we're just going to continue on the innovation path, and keep experimenting and keep looking at how we can innovate products, furniture, fixtures, or equipment and systems for energy efficiency and carbon neutrality so a building has minimal impact on the planet and its people. Social equity is going to be very important. For instance, in a multi-family project, conversations will be about inclusivity. There's a lot at play and I think we will see it more and more in the industry.

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Luxury building Monad Terrace introduces its latest residence, located within a stand-alone 6-story building and featuring interior furnishings crafted in Italy by furniture and design house MORADA-Haute Furniture Boutique.

Taking inspiration from the building’s architect Ateliers Jean Nouvel, MORADA selected hand-crafted furniture that mixes Italian leathers and stones with the light and airiness of the building’s design, and the lush climbing gardens of native Bougainvillea and Passion Vines. This is in the same spirit that Nouvel created at Monad Terrace, where he interplays nature and the indoors.

Photo Credit: Monad Terrace, JDS Development Group

“We wanted to transform the space into a personalized ambiance that invokes all of the senses while honoring Nouvel’s innovative design,” said MORADA founders Fernan Hernandez and Holger Odenstein. “With this residence, we are telling a story that fuses timeless shapes and materials with natural features for a flawless Oasis on the Bay." 

This juxtaposition of indoors and outdoors is manifested perfectly in Residence 1A of the new building. This three-bed, three-and-a-half-bath home has 3,892 square feet of space and is right on Monad Terrace’s signature lagoon. The expansive waterfront terrace and light, open floor plan really encapsulates the indoor-outdoor living experience for the owner. 

Photo Credit: Alexia Fodere for Monad Terrace and MORADA-Haute Furniture Boutique

“MORADA’s design team was able to exquisitely complement the brilliant architecture and craftsmanship at Monad Terrace, evoking a sense of serenity and capturing a distinctive lifestyle that can’t be found anywhere else,” said Michael Stern, the project’s developer, and Founder/CEO of JDS Development Group.

Monad Terrace is comprised of 59 light-filled waterfront residences specifically designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel. The newest building is a continuation of the luxurious and elevated living areas invented by the first. 

Photo Credit: Alexia Fodere for Monad Terrace and MORADA-Haute Furniture Boutique

Owners at Monad Terrace have access to superior amenities and features including private elevator access, in-house concierge, a sun deck with a 116-foot swimming pool and hot tub overlooking Biscayne Bay, valet parking, a café and juice bar, a wellness center, private dock, and a bicycle and water sports storage room.

The residence is located at 1300 Monad Terrace in Miami Beach. Sales and marketing are managed exclusively by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing. For more information, please call 305.695.0888 or visit monadterrace.miami.

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The Woolworth Tower Residences

Courtesy of Alchemy Properties

Soaring high above Tribeca is the Woolworth Tower Residences with a 40th-floor residence that spans across an entire floor and comes complete with panoramic views—perfect for holiday dinners. The triple-exposure 75-foot great room features a grand piano, 14.5-foot ceilings, solid oak herringbone floors, arched windows, and a flexible entertaining area. The elegant dining room offers a vast amount of space including a custom designed table that can fit up to 15 people and if you have guests who love to stay after the party, there are a total of 4 bedrooms with en-suite baths and two powder rooms. Don’t miss this unique chance to host your next holiday dinner in a piece of New York history.

For a private appointment, please contact Stan Ponte or Joshua Judge at 212-418-1222 or info@woolworthtower.com.

Fifteen Hudson Yards

Courtesy of Related-Oxford

Host your next mixer 900 feet in the air at Skytop, nestled atop the prestigious development, Fifteen Hudson Yards. The sleek space features an open-air terrace enveloped in a 60-foot-tall glass screen wall providing spectacular Hudson River views and a safe haven from the elements. The custom made, 3D carved wooden planters provide a great place to relax under 14-foot-tall white oak trees, while indoor event spaces include a private dining room and lounge for intimate seating. For private events, you can reserve all sections including a catering kitchen, bar and dining table for a maximum of 18 guests in the dining room.

Call (212) 385-1515 to reserve a space.

11 Hoyt

Courtesy of Binyan Studios

This 57-story tower spans an entire city block in Downtown Brooklyn and is complete with incomparable views of brownstone Brooklyn, lower Manhattan skyline, the East River, the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor. The Sky Club, perched 32 floors in the sky offers luxurious amenities, featuring a sophisticated mix of eclectic, comfortable furniture with personality. Impress your guests with the views, and the food in the private dining room, which includes a demonstration kitchen and a behind-the-scene catering and prep kitchen. The club also has a number of interesting elements including a performance space, music rehearsal studio, and golf simulator room.

Call (347) 704-3603 or email info@11hoytbrooklyn.com to inquire about reserving a space.

Manhattan View

Courtesy of SCG America

Manhattan View is an incredible condominium building comprised of 147 exquisite residences designed by AD100 interior designer Jamie Drake. However, it’s what’s on top of this Hudson Yards development that counts, which includes a rooftop lounge area, with an outdoor cinema, for when you want views of the city while watching your favorite flick on a projected screen. The building also offers the city’s first-ever Dog Spa and regulation-size double height basketball court, private resident-only Equinox and indoor swimming pool among many others.

Call 212-967-6888 or email info@manhattanview.com to schedule an appointment at the building.

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