Philosophy

The built environment that we shape by our buildings has profound effect on people, ones who use these buildings daily and ones who never enter them. While creativity and great design go hand in hand, there is another very critical component to the whole, and that is “sensitivity”, which manifests itself in different ways. Sensitivity to clients’ program, budget, and schedule, which means LISTENING and working within those parameter’s and Sensitivity to the context in which the building is located, which means appropriate response and respect for the existing architectural vocabulary. The most rewarding experience is taking on the challenge presented by these limitations and guidelines and developing a result that enhances the lives of people affected by that design, reflects and respects the mission and vision of the client, while practicing our civic duty in informing our clients about issues involved in the process of design, construction and the built environment.

AFHJ does not have a “stylistic” philosophy. That is to say, all of its designs do not look alike. Each building is influenced by its context. Thus, a new building located on a large, undeveloped tract of land would have an entirely different character than one solving the same set of problems located in a historic, residential neighborhood or one that is an addition to an existing building.

The objective of AFHJ is to assemble the right team for each project and provide competent professional services to our clients. The firm strives to achieve design excellence, to produce high quality projects within budgetary limitations, and to conduct itself in an efficient, ethical, and businesslike manner. The firm strives to achieve a high level of trust and mutual respect between clients, consultants, contractors and our team members.

Firm Awards and Publications

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

Best Designed Home Award- Architecture

At Home in Arkansas Magazine

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

"Spirit of Collaboration" - Featured Article

North American Design Magazine

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

Design Award Finalist - Waterford Club House

American Institute of Architects Arkansas Chapter

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

"Design Merit Award" - Garland Center

American Institute of Architects,   Arkansas Chapter

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

University of Arkansas Book Store - Featured Cover Photo

College Planning & Management Magazine

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

Building Block Award - Garland Center

Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

Downtown Living Award- 5 West Mountain

Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

"U of A Bookstore - Facility Focus" -Featured Article

College Planning & Management Magazine

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

"Design Merit Award" -Garland Center

American Institute of Architects, Arkansas Chapter

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

"A Clear View" - Featured Article

At Home in Arkansas Magazine

"High Design - A modern Makeover" - Magazine Featured Article

"High Design -A modern makeover for an outdated design" - Featured Article

At Home in Arkansas 

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

"Excellence in Construction Award" - FUMC Springdale

Associated Builders and Contractors

High Design - Magazine Featured Article

"Design Merit Award" - Garland Center

International Parking Institue

Laleh Amirmoez

Throughout the years Laleh has maintained her goal of nurturing her client’s vision and providing architectural solutions that bring their vision to life, creating context sensitive designs, and respecting the practical aspects of the project such as schedule and budget constraints.

Laleh Amirmoez, president and owner of the firm, graduated from the University of Arkansas and joined Hailey.Powers.Froning, the oldest active firm in Fayetteville,(est. 1973) in 1983. She was elevated to partnership as President and CEO of Hailey / Amirmoez Architects in 1992.  Over the years the firm evolved into AFHJ. She has been the only constant throughout the changes in the firm. She has worked with all her team members, local or national, in a collaborative process. Much good comes out of a brainstorming session and a give and take process.  She is a good listener, and makes strong connections with her clients by understanding and respecting their point of view and making her presentations in a context that is important to the client, while achieving the goal of improving the built environment and providing a responsible design.

She has been principal architect, project architect, or designer for a variety of projects. These project types include Mixed Use Developments, Churches, High End Residential, Public Schools, Higher Education, Commercial Developments, Retail, Food service, Childcare, as well as other Civic and Governmental projects.

Accomplishments

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5 West Mountain, a mixed use project, was awarded Best Designed Home in Arkansas by At Home in Arkansas in 2010, as well as “Downtown Living Award” by Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. This project was also published in “American Design” magazine in 2009

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The First United Methodist Church in Springdale was awarded the President’s Award and the Award for Excellence in Construction by the Associated Builders and Contractors in 2001.

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Served as president of Downtown/Dickson Enhancement Project from 1997-1998, and continued serving on the board through 2001. Downtown/Dickson Enhancement Project spear headed a major development which provided urban design solutions in connecting Downtown to the Dickson Street Business District, revitalizing the entire area. As a result of such efforts new design standards were developed that are enforced today. Served on the selection committee for choosing engineering firms that would implement the first phase of the planned improvements. Downtown/Dickson Enhancement Project was awarded the NWA Non-Profit Business of the year in 200, by Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

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Two of her residential projects were published in two issues of At Home in Arkansas in 2005 and 2007 and one was published in Better Homes and Gardens in 2007

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Served as a member of the Advisory Board for School of Architecture, Design Review Guest, Supporter and Contributor to the Rome Travel Scholarship.

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Awarded The Trail Blazer Award by Alpha Kappa Sorority in 2004, a professional minority women sorority, Business Woman of the Year Award in 2000 by Business and Professional Women, the Athena Award in 1996, by Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, and Friends of Education Award in 1990 by Fayetteville Education Association, for her tireless efforts in a millage increase campaign to support pay raises for public school teachers. Also awarded a Key to the City by Fayetteville Mayor in 1998 for serving on a task force for preserving a historical building in Downtown Fayetteville Area.

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A Rotarian and serves as secretary on the Advisory Board for NWA section of The Salvation Army. A past member of Altrusa International.