PROJECT DESCRIPTION

"Process: How to Create Community Buildings with Impact" is a working manual written and designed by architecture and design firm HCMA, and captures their 40 years’ experience in sustainable, inclusive public building design.

The 208-page book breaks the stereotype of jargon-filled, complex manuals. It takes a fresh approach to helping civic leaders understand the decisions they need to make, and the tripping hazards to avoid, from budgets and site planning, to community engagement, the climate crisis, inclusive design, and measuring a project’s impact.

This important, challenging, often technical subject matter is made accessible and engaging thanks to the book’s bold design.

Bonnie Retief, Creative Lead for the Communication Design team at HCMA, designed the book. Of her inspiration, she says: “So many industry guides don't encourage use. I wanted to break that convention and create a book with the look and feel of an old mechanical manual, something designed to handle years of wear and tear, and get people scribbling notes in the margins.”

The book’s exposed spine metaphorically represents the design process, revealing its construction, while a tactile canvas cover evokes the nostalgia of machinery manuals and will wear with use. To encourage note taking, the layout features generous margins and the pages are annotated with handwritten notes—reminiscent of architectural red-lining—to highlight important advice and insights. A warm, uncoated paper stock provides a smooth writing experience—a beautiful contrast to the rawness of the cover.

BOOK INFORMATION

Trim Size: 6.75" x 8.75"

Number of Pages: 208

Binding Method: Smythe sewn, exposed spine

Paper: Cougar Opaque Natural 80lb Text for inside pages, Cougar Opaque Natural 80lb Cover for cover

Typefaces: Druk, Spectral, Akzidenz Grotesk, Galaxie Coupernicus, handwriting (custom)

CREDIT INFORMATION

Creative Director: Bonnie Retief, Creative Lead, Communication Design, HCMA

Art Director: Bonnie Retief, Creative Lead, Communication Design, HCMA

Book Designer: Bonnie Retief, Creative Lead, Communication Design, HCMA

Jacket/Cover Designer: Bonnie Retief, Creative Lead, Communication Design, HCMA

Illustrator: Various, HCMA

Photographer: Gabriel Cabrera

Picture Editor: Bonnie Retief

Production Director: Judy Bau, Services Lead, Communication Design, HCMA

Production Coordinator:

Production Artist: Kevin O'Brien

Other Credits:

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