hb+a Architects is a sustainability‑driven studio and early pioneer of zero‑energy, low‑carbon design, with over two decades of focused work on climate‑first, health‑focused buildings and research prototypes.
The firm’s motto, “Zero (energy/carbon) is everything,” has guided over 20 years of explorations into environmental sustainability, indoor air quality, and planetary health. hb+a integrates energy efficiency, low‑carbon materials, passive design, and indoor environmental quality into every project, treating performance and health as baseline, not add‑ons. Founder Hafsa Burt is a LEED Fellow and sustainability expert with over 20 years in zero‑energy, low‑carbon, and regenerative building strategies, including research prototypes under the Box Lab umbrella.
Fire Resiliency Experience: Yes
Fire Resiliency Experience Details:
hb+a Architects brings fire resiliency expertise through climate risk driven design, wildfire‑ready prototypes, and real‑world performance during major fire events in California. The Box Factory, located in a wildfire‑prone part of California, is explicitly designed as a zero‑energy, zero‑carbon climate resilience hub that remains habitable during wildfire smoke, heatwaves, and utility shutoffs. During the 2022 Electra Fire, Box Factory continued operating as planned, providing clean air, safe temperatures, water, and cooking for neighbors during power shutoffs and evacuations. Resilience is framed around specific climate risks, aligning with and anticipating emerging LEED v5 resilience criteria by several years through combined energy, health, equity, and adaptation measures. hb+a Architects' broader resilience work emphasizes designing for worsening climate impacts, including wildfires, and using biophilic and climate‑responsive strategies to protect health and community continuity.
hb+a Architects is a climate first architecture studio focused on low‑carbon, resilient, and inclusive environments across public, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Read more...
