2022 was an eventful year for Aedis Architects. In addition to our new and completed projects, we experienced a gradual hybridized return to the office, welcomed new employees, and sadly had to say goodbye to our friend and long-time leader, Thang Do. Although this was traumatic, he prepared us well for the future and we were able to happily, welcome Afsha Ali as a new member of the leadership team. Now, as we are nearing the middle of 2023, the leadership team, looking back, wants to express our GRATITUDE for the people and organizations that got us through, and support the success of Aedis every day. Firstly, we are thankful for the firm’s CLIENTS who trust us to help them achieve their goals. Next, we want to thank our SUBCONSULTANTS and of course, OUR VERY OWN STAFF, who work together every day to make it all happen. Finally, we so appreciate our FRIENDS and FAMILIES (there is overlap with groups above) who continue to support us in countless ways. Our mission is to make a #PositiveLastingImpact on the communities we serve. WE couldn’t do it without YOU!
The new classroom project on the Prospect High School campus in Saratoga is complete, and students will return in the Fall to experience a transformed campus, one that offers them an environment that has been planned to enhance academic performance and overall wellness.
The students will enjoy classroom learning suites that include the latest AV equipment, flexible furnishings, and a makerspace with a large roll-up door for adaptable indoor-outdoor functionality. The project also includes several next-generation science labs. The two single-story buildings embrace an expansive courtyard, made up of several informal outdoor learning environments, seamlessly connecting the addition to the existing campus, and acting as a celebratory link to the athletics complex, just beyond.
Early in the design process, the District recognized the importance of incorporating biophilic elements into the new addition. Research indicates that design with a connection to nature in mind will support cognitive performance and physiological and emotional wellness. This led Aedis Architects to expose the #CrossLaminatedTimber (#CLT) roof panels and to include large windows that let in an abundance of daylight, and views to the outdoor courtyard full of trees, boulders, and grassy knolls—rich in natural materials, colors, and textures. Many concepts that are proven to enhance the high school student experience have been introduced in this project, and the outcomes will inform the development of ongoing and future work on Campbell Union High School District campuses.
We were honored to partner with Campbell Union High School District as we leave a #PositiveLastingImpact on Prospect High School.
Last month we brought our San Jose and Sacramento offices “together” in a unique way to celebrate spring, enjoy our fellow Aediseans, and spend some time cheering for our local baseball teams. On the very same evening, our San Jose office attended a San Jose Giants game and the Sacramento office cheered on the Sacramento River Cats. Our families got to spend time with our work family while enjoying our shared love of baseball. A wonderful time was had by all! Thank you to our extended Aedis family for joining us. Without you, we couldn’t do the important work of leaving a #PositiveLastingImpact on the communities we serve.
In their most recent newsletter, WoodWorks featured Aedis Architects and our passion for Mass Timber design. The article spotlights an interview with John Diffenderfer and Afsha Ali, AIA. In it, they share Aedis’ vision for TimberQuest, a pre-engineered #MassTimber building solution to house all manners of educational programs for California schools. The article highlights how Aedis prioritizes wood as a #SustainableDesign solution in our effort to leave a #LastingPositiveImpact on the communities we serve. We invite you to read the entire interview here: https://www.woodworks.org/firm-feature-aedis-architects/
Celebrating our Aediseans’ individual life milestones is important! So, recently, a large contingent of our San Jose office carpooled to Sacramento to surprise our very own Andrew Mikkelsen, AIA, and his lovely wife Katelyn, with a yummy lunch, baby games, and gifts. We had an opportunity to celebrate together and shower the new parents-to-be with love, advice, and cake! It’s moments like these that leave a #PositiveLastingImpact on our entire Aedis family.
Are you ready to work for an award-winning design firm that seeks to leave a #PositiveLastingImpact on our community? Are you self-motivated and driven? Would you like to work in a place where your voice is heard and your opinion matters? Then we are looking for you! We are hiring an Architectural Designer and an Architectural Assistant Project Manager to work hybrid from either our Downtown San Jose or Sacramento Office. The complete job description can be found on our LinkedIn job post and resumes can be sent directly to personnel@aedisold.happy-staging.com.
Phase One of Campbell Union School District’s Forest Hill Elementary School Modernization is complete, just in time for the start of the school year. The families, students, and staff were greeted with a reimagined 5000+ sf Administration Building. The school Office is more functional and larger to comfortably house the health office, counselors, administrators and their staff. Our #PositiveLastingImpact on Forest Hill also includes new underground site utilities campus-wide, which not only brings the school’s support functions up to current standards, but also prepares the site for the planned addition of a new Multi-Use Building and Kindergarten playground of Phase Two.
We are grateful for the trust #CUSD placed in the Aedis team— Michelle, Sri, Sanjana, and Kris—giving us the opportunity to do some great work!
This Fall, Stratford School Pleasanton Middle School students returned to a transformed campus. The school doubled in size with a brand-new courtyard and TimberQuest classroom building. The students and staff will benefit from TimberQuest’s innate biophilic elements, designed to enhance academic achievement and overall occupant welfare. Impressively, the entire project was completed over the summer, with no disruption to Stratford’s academic school year program. #AedisArchitect’s partnership with Spring Education Group, XL Construction and Daedalus Engineers has once again allowed us to leave a #PositiveLastingImpact on this growing school community! Cheers to a wonderful 2023-2024 school year!
Thank you Elise Koufos, for 10 years of commitment, friendship, and excellence! Your outstanding contributions as a Project Manager and Specifications Writer continue to make a #PositiveLastingImpact on the clients and communities we serve. We are truly fortunate to have you on our team! Cheers to this incredible milestone!
It is with honor and excitement that we accept the 2023 People’s Choice Award from AIA Silicon Valley for the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC). Aedis’ former President, the late Thang Do’s vision was unwavering, and uncompromising during this project’s design and this award tells us his efforts were worth it. Our design partner, Hawley Peterson Snyder Architecture/Interiors/Planning was a truly vital and integral part of the design process. We are grateful to the County of Santa Clara Facilities and Fleet Department for their leadership, trust, and support, and for the insight and foresight of the Board of Supervisors for identifying a need and establishing this program, which has turned out to be wildly successful, beyond even the most optimistic dreams. The VASC project is making a #PositiveLastingImpact on the Vietnamese-American Community for generations to come!