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
PRINCIPAL / ARCHITECT
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
PRINCIPAL / ARCHITECT
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
ARCHITECT
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
ARCHITECT
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
+ Melissa Powers
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
ABOUT
Why Architecture?
I love being a part of helping someone take a dream and bring it to life. I find joy in watching the impact clients make in the community. It is an honor to facilitate.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I enjoy the relationships we build with our clients, watching them thrive in their new spaces. I strive to make architecture more relatable, more accessible to everyone. I want for our clients to feel that they and their projects are well cared for.
What do you enjoy about working for HJM?
What a great team of people to be a part of! I find that in firms of this size I am able to be more directly involved with the clients and feel more directly impactful in the community. That is what makes me excited to come in every day.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Architecture at Kansas State University
CONTACT
mpowers@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
+ LYDIA DICKENSHEET
ARCHITECT
ABOUT
Why architecture?
Since my parents met while working at an architecture firm, odds are one of their kids had to become an architect, engineer, or interior designer, and I chose architecture!
Give a brief description on something you make an extra effort to consider or specifically emphasize in your design.
Volunteering with children who experience visual impairment and blindness has made me more aware of the importance of designing with accessibility in mind.
What is your favorite building/place/area in KC and why?
I love going to the City Market and I’m always on the lookout for other farmers markets to visit.
Who are designers who have inspired you?
Some designers who have inspired me are Tatiana Bilbao, Gina Ford, Carlo Scarpa, and Tadao Ando.
Community involvement?
I’m a member of NOMA KC and their advocacy committee, and volunteer with Northwest Kids in Action
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:
Master of Architecture at Drury University
CONTACT
ldickensheet@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.
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 Room 39 in Westport. Great crab cakes and best Riesling I have tried in Kansas City.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at Kansas State University
NCIDQ / IIDA
CONTACT
hginder@hjmarch.com