McCullough is thrilled to feature HPI Architecture as our October Client of the Month, by sharing the history of the firm, exciting projects in the works, and our flourishing collaboration. We had the privilege of sitting down with Lawrence A. Frapwell, Architect, NCARB, LEED AP, the President of HPI Architecture, to gain deeper insights into the firm's rich background.

Founded in 1975, the firm has solidified its reputation as a leading force in the world of planning, architecture, and interior design. With a dynamic team of 70 professionals and offices strategically located in Newport and San Diego, HPI Architecture has thrived on two core pillars of expertise. Their dedication to higher education, with a particular focus on community colleges, has resulted in serving an impressive roster of 26 different colleges and 20 districts, many of which have been long-standing partners. Notable institutions in this list include Orange Coast College, Mt. San Antonio College, Long Beach City College, Cerritos College, among others. The firm's portfolio spans a wide range, encompassing everything from comprehensive planning to innovative project design, covering instructional facilities, student services, and diverse academic support spaces.

In addition to their leadership in the higher education sector, HPI Architecture has extensive experience in the housing sector, with a primary emphasis on senior living and high-density infill projects. Their specialized approach includes a focus on assisted living, memory care, and independent living within the landscape of senior living. The firm's recent expansion into community college student housing, such as at Orange Coast College and collaborations with McCullough on multiple student housing initiatives, underlines their commitment to evolving with the ever-changing needs of the communities they serve. With a primary focus in Southern California, HPI’s influence extends to Northern California, with student housing projects scattered across the state, and noteworthy projects in Santa Rosa, Napa, and San Mateo, along with an array of planning studies for student housing in the Bay Area. The firm has also engaged in affordable housing project, emphasizing that their housing projects are program-driven, prioritizing the unique needs of the communities they engage with.

Collaborative Culture at HPI

At HPI, the company's culture is driven by the dedication and loyalty of its long-term employees, with some individuals having served for up to 40 years. Collaboration is a fundamental aspect of their philosophy, and they extend this spirit of teamwork to their valued consultants, engaging them early in the projects as an integral part of the design process. Particularly in the field of education, and especially within the community college sector, they are committed to uncovering the unique narrative that each project holds.

The Story Behind HPI and McCullough

HPI Architecture seeks out consultants who embody creativity, those who are not confined by the project's boundaries but are eager to explore possibilities beyond those limits. HPI's collaboration with McCullough originated a few years ago, and blossomed through a shared connection with Woody Dike, a landscape architect. Woody and David had previously collaborated, leading to introductions between McCullough and HPI in the San Diego area. Initially, Woody's expertise in planning and conceptualization complemented HPI's needs, evolving into a collaborative design partnership. Together, they embarked on projects such as a student housing renovation at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. The shared commitment to higher education and campus integration remains central to their collaboration, emphasizing the broader campus environment rather than individual buildings.

For HPI, it's not solely about providing spaces for students; it's about creating environments that seamlessly integrate with the campus, enhancing the student experience. This philosophy is exemplified in their conceptual design work on the library at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), where their focus extends beyond the structure itself to consider the larger campus context, branding, and the holistic student and public experience. McCullough is enthused to be collaborating with HPI on this project.

"We don't limit ourselves to the definition of the site. We aim to consider how this project fits into the broader campus - David McCullough and Maha Balachandran understand that. It's about how this project connects to the larger campus and supports connectivity, student life, and service."
- Lawrence A. Frapwell, President at HPI Architecture

Mt. SAC Library, Conceptual Design, Image courtesy of HPI Architecture

McCullough and HPI are also collaborating with the San Bernardino Community College District on a “vision” for student and community housing at San Bernardino Valley College. This development extends beyond typical student housing, encompassing various apartment-style units, community housing, and workforce housing within a just under 15-acre site. The conceptual vision prioritizes pedestrian, bicycle, and transit-oriented connections to the campus and community over auto-centric solutions, to create a sustainable, affordable housing community that seamlessly integrates with the campus and broader San Bernardino Community. The “vision” is intended to support conversations between the District, potential community partners, developers, and other local and regional agencies to secure funding, construct, and operate the project. The HPI team has actively participated with the college and their team in several community outreach programs including a recent webinar designed to introduce and showcase the project to the development community, initiate the solicitation process and seek the right partners to support the college's vision.

“Larry never stops with the essentials. His question, ‘How can we connect the site to the campus as a whole and activate it?’ is always a push to explore possibilities beyond the boundaries of the project.”
– Mahalakshmi Balachandran, Senior Associate at McCullough

*San Berardino Valley College Student Housing Conceptual Vision, Image courtesy of HPI Architecture*

The Future for HPI

HPI Architecture is a firm renowned for its commitment to service, firmly establishing enduring client relationships and serving as a trusted team. The firm's reputation is reinforced by a multitude of returning clients. Their approach is characterized by a commitment to collaboration that fosters creativity.

As they look ahead, while they are open to new opportunities that may arise, their focus remains dedicated to the field of education, encompassing higher education institutions such as community colleges, private colleges, and universities, alongside a drive to expand their presence in the K-12 education sector. Simultaneously, their dedication to housing solutions continues, spanning senior housing and student housing, with a keen eye on exploring low-impact, program-driven housing alternatives. These paths represent the core of their future endeavors, reflecting their commitment to innovative solutions.

McCullough is grateful for the creative collaboration with HPI Architecture, and we look forward to continuing to connect communities and join forces on future projects.