H2M Celebrates Archtober with Raymond Givargis

In recognition of Archtober, New York City’s annual monthlong celebration of architecture, we spoke to the architects at our NYC office about the most meaningful and definitive projects of their careers at H2M thus far.

The City of East Orange, NJ, is in the process of developing a new recreation center and hired H2M to identify an adequate site for the facility, perform thorough site analysis, and prepare program development plans for the design of the new building.

Studio Director Raymond Givargis, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, joined H2M last year following an extensive and successful career at various other architecture firms. This role, however, was his first time working at a truly multidisciplinary firm. The recreation center project provided Raymond with a valuable opportunity to immerse himself in H2M’s policies and procedures and collaborate with staff outside of his area of expertise.

“In my previous roles, I frequently collaborated with outside consultants. Having specialists like engineers, geologists, and environmental scientists in-house, however, brings a deeper level of integration,” Raymond said. “We’re able to exchange ideas in real time and identify opportunities and challenges much earlier in the process.”

The City worked with H2M on a community survey to identify key community space needs, with an emphasis on spaces for athletics, community gatherings, educational offerings, events, and technology labs. H2M’s site analysis and program development plans factored in this community feedback while also incorporating considerations for the future building’s integrity, energy efficiency, space efficiency, ADA compliance, interior environmental conditions, and more. Identifying these elements required consultation with H2M specialists adept in water, structural, and MEP engineering, as well as land use planning and environmental sciences.

“Working alongside so many disciplines under one roof reinforces how interconnected our work truly is. At H2M, the collaboration between architects, engineers, and environmental specialists feels like a community: each discipline contributes a unique perspective that elevates the whole. As a Studio Director, I value seeing how our architectural vision integrates seamlessly with the technical expertise of our colleagues to deliver meaningful, lasting results for our clients and the communities we serve.”