HJM ARCHITECTS is an MBE, DBE, and SLBE certified firm headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. HJM has provided architecture, planning, and interior design services since 1984.
Our mission is to create spaces with meaning, to design structures that are affordable, and to create efficient plans that are flexible. The team includes NCARB certified architects and NCIDQ certified interior designers. HJM embarks on this mission by analyzing current and future project needs. The information is folded into budget, schedule, and aesthetic considerations and a project program is born.
HJM has supported single project owners, developers, contractors, and federal agencies in delivering projects within schedule and budget throughout the country. Our team is guided by a “service first” attitude towards clients and projects regardless of size. Flexibility with respect to project schedules, budgets, and time constraints have been our most important asset in completing projects successfully.
meet our team
+ richard hu
ARCHITECT - PRINCIPAL
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
It's art with a salary
What do you enjoy about your job?
I enjoy cultivating culture, building a brand, and making an impact on/in Kansas City with thoughtful design.
What is the last thing you demolished in your home?
I removed the chair rail out of my youngest son’s bedroom… and now he can’t host dinner parties in his room
What are you regularly on the lookout for?
Fountain pens and pocket knives…
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Architecture – University of Kansas
Master of Architecture – University of Kansas
NCARB (AR, IL, KS, MO, NC, VA)
CONTACT
rhu@hjmarch.com
+ kara hu
OFFICE MANAGER
ABOUT
Why Design?
I studied interior design as a continuation of my love of creating spaces for my dolls and toys as a child. I love space planning and making people feel comfortable in the world they inhabit. I spend the majority of my workday on office management now, which satisfies my need for order!
What do you enjoy about your job?
I so enjoy getting to know all of our employees and their families.
What is your favorite building/place/area in KC and why?
I am really enjoying the West Bottoms right now! Great stores, restaurants, and bars in such a historic area.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts – University of Kansas
CONTACT
khu@hjmarch.com
+ Bethany Dyche
INTERIOR ARCHITECT - PRINCIPAL
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
I bet my friend in high school that I would get into K-State Architecture before she did. And then she and I signed up for high school drafting. Luckily, I liked it and was pretty good at it.
What do you enjoy about your job?
My favorite part of my job is creating floorplans. I enjoy putting myself in the spaces we design and imagining what it’s like to be there. If something seems uncomfortable or isn’t quite working, I enjoy taking the time to massage the plan so it does work.
What is the last thing you demolished in your home?
This is a trick question. Architects only demolish and half redo things in their homes they don’t finish things before demolishing something else. Biggest recently completed project would be the replacement of our back driveway and the installation of the gardens flanking it.
What are you regularly on the lookout for?
Great Gin drinks that aren’t too sweet.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of interior Architecture – Kansas State University
NCIDQ
NCARB
CONTACT
bdyche@hjmarch.com
+ michael laird
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
I think it was what I sucked at the least. Seriously though, growing up I was always interested in how stuff worked…constantly disassembling/reassembling all the things. That eventually led to a full-time job framing/roofing houses and the rest is history.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I really like to get into some of the technical details of construction, even sometimes getting lost in the weeds a little. I also really like nice looking drawing sets.
What is the last thing you demolished in your home?
Still ongoing…a deck.
What are you regularly on the lookout for?
My kids. Also, a really good stout, falling lumber prices, and new restaurants.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Architecture – Kansas State University
CONTACT
mlaird@hjmarch.com
+ christine brewood
ARCHITECT
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
I love the mix of logic and creativity.
What is your favorite building/place/area in KC and why?
The Liberty Memorial because it pays homage to veterans, has great views, and is a gathering place for the whole metro area for special events.
What do you love?
Sleep – mainly because I do not get enough.
What are you regularly on the lookout for?
Live dinosaurs …no, wait, that would be scary.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Architecture – University of Kansas
NCARB
CONTACT
cbrewood@hjmarch.com
+ tanner lee
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
Growing up I was always interested in architectural history. This interest is what made me investigate architecture.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I was interested in working in a small firm because I wanted to experience all phases of the design process. HJM has allowed me to experience many projects from concept to CA.
What is your favorite building/place/area in KC and why?
The Volker neighborhood is my favorite spot to hangout.
What is the last thing you demolished/redid in your home?
Demolished a wall and stepped on a nail.
What do you love?
Food and Pokemon
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
Master of Architecture – Kansas State University
CONTACT
tlee@hjmarch.com
+ chris meier
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
It is an always evolving field that combines a wide variety of skillsets. It can be challenging, exciting, rewarding, & is always engaging.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I was & am drawn to the opportunities to work on a wide variety of project types & to see project design concepts all come together when construction is complete.
What is your favorite building/place/area in KC and why?
Arrowhead Stadium… because it brings the whole city together to be a part of the kingdom!
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Master of Architecture – University of Kansas
CONTACT
cmeier@hjmarch.com
+ kurt heinen
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
I enjoy all the skills needed to be an Architect/designer. You need Art, Science, Math, Business and much more. Being able to mold all these skills into a great service is exactly what I like about architecture.
What do you specifially emphasize about your job?
I try to see problems as opportunities.
What is your favorite building/place/area in KC and why?
Union Station the scale along with the time in history it was built. Also the events they have here makes it a great building to visit.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Master of Architecture - Kansas State University
CONTACT
kheinen@hjmarch.com
+ kristina meierarend
ABOUT
Why Interior Design?
I was drawn to interior design as an adolescent because I loved that I could take an ordinary area and turn it into a beautiful and more organized space for others and myself to grow.
I also enjoy the structure and peace a space can achieve when its true form meets its function.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I make an effort with each project to place myself in the user’s perspective to confirm that all the small details have been thought through. As well as to create a pleasant and innovative experience.
KC Recommendations?
My activity based recommendation in KC is to go and visit English Landing Park, in Parkville, Missouri. It is a short 15 min drive from downtown and provides you with a beautiful river side walk.
What are you regularly on the lookout for?
I am regularly on the look out for places to bring my family to for a walk or a picnic.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design - Park University
CONTACT
kmeierarend@hjmarch.com
+ aaron sirna
ARCHITECT
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
I’ve always had an interest in making things, designing things, and putting things together. I remember being in daycare as a child building churches and houses out of wooden blocks and trying to understand the structure of a building.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I want patrons to remember each building I work on, so I make sure to design something that has a long-lasting element, whether that’s materiality or function. I take heart in the trust and investment that our clients have in us, so being commutative and treating each project equally is vital to a successful building.
What is the last thing you demolished in your home?
The last thing I redid in my home was the mudroom. I had to enclose a drainpipe in the closet and laid new floor. I bought my house about four years ago and completely remodeled it within 2 months. I still have projects to do and try to do one or two big ones a year. Next up, new garage doors and new master bathroom shower.
What are you regularly on the lookout for?
Details in buildings to think to myself of what the architect must have been thinking about as they designed this element or that element.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Master of Architecture - University of Kansas
Bachelor of Science, Architectural Studies - University of Missouri
LEED AP Professional
NCARB
CONTACT
asirna@hjmarch.com
+ haleigh ginder
INTERIOR DESIGNER
ABOUT
Why Interior Design?
Interior design allows me to be creative and have a positive impact on the user’s lives. Bringing a space to life is extremely rewarding.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I enjoy how every day is different as a designer. The relationships we form with architects, product representatives, etc. allow us to be a part of every stage in the design process. The design community in Kansas City is collaborative and active. Kristina and I often attend IIDA meetings and product fairs. I also love the atmosphere at HJM and enjoy having social events as a team!
What is the last thing you demolished/redid in your home?
Living in an apartment, I cannot change much, but my guilty pleasure is always decorating for seasons (fall and Christmas) way too early...
KC Recommendations?
I recommend getting the “drunken shrimp” appetizer at the country club plaza Cooper’s Hawk. Delicious, if you are a seafood fan.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at Kansas State University
CONTACT
hginder@hjmarch.com
+ mitch johnson
ARCHITECT
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
We take up space, so why not make that space art. If you think about it hard enough, it’s like if math and art had a child. Maybe some science for some spice. Just like Hannah Montana, it’s the best of both worlds.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Human emotion. Coming from a theatrical background, spaces and things have always made me feel some-kind of way. I always strive to generate a meaningful space full of life and generative improvement on community equity overall.
Who are designers who have inspired you
Louis Kahn. His philosophy investigating community life and the social responsibility of architecture are aspects that should set the standard for good design.
KC Recommendations?
Live music is always happening. Dig a little, find that dive bar, and find yourself a local band to fall in love with because KC is FULL of it.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Arts, Master of Architecture at Drury University
CONTACT
mjohnson@hjmarch.com