CSHQA


CSHQA is a full-service design firm in the western United States specializing in architecture, engineering and planning. Established in 1889 in Boise, Idaho, CSHQA is now one of the northwest's architectural and engineering firms, with projects nationwide.

History

CSHQA began in 1889 as a one-man, one-room office when William S. Campbell, a Scotsman educated at the School of Architecture in Edinburgh, moved to Boise to practice architecture.
As years passed and more architects joined the firm, the name changed to reflect the additional partners. In 1979, it was known as Cline Smull Hamill Quintieri Associates and in 1985 it was shortened to CSHQA.

Innovation and sustainable design

CSHQA has been a leader in energy efficiency since the 1970s, receiving recognition for Boise's Amity Elementary School, which appeared on a 1979 cover of Time for its forward-thinking design. This earth-covered school is situated above ground but covered by of earth, with lawn and shrubs growing on top. Solar panels and other energy-efficient elements were also included in the design.
In 1985, the firm received international acclaim for building the energy-efficient Liberty Elementary School in Boise introduced energy-saving concepts such as solar energy and controllable electronics that took advantage of daylighting. The revolutionary design also entailed berming the earth up to the window sills to conserve energy needed for heating and cooling the building.
CSHQA began membership in the U.S. Green Building Council in 2001. There have been 8 LEED certified projects and 13 LEED registered projects with certification levels from certified to platinum as of 2013. Notably, the Mulvaney Medical Office building, completed 2009, and the Ada County Civic Plaza tenant improvement project have both recently received LEED Gold.
CSHQA has designed 6 Whole Foods Markets which have been awarded Green Globes by the Green Building Initiative.

Offices

Selected projects

Received AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Merit Award 2011