Magnolia Praline Company

Located in New Orleans, La., Eskew+Dumez+Ripple is a design studio, which produces projects in architecture and planning. Its portfolio comprises of education, urban design/planning, cultural/civic, science/research, residential/hospitality and office/commercial projects. The firm has contributed to an array of projects, including Estuarine Habitats Research Center, The Shaw Center of Arts, St. Marthe Catholic Church, W New Orleans Hotel Renovation, White Linene Bathing Pavillion, Whitney National Bank, The Outdoor Center, National Weather Services Forecast Office, and many more.

Hewitt-Washington & Associates is an architectural and planning firm that was established in 1978 by Lonnie Hewitt, Jr., President and James R. Washington, Jr., Vice-President. As young architects, Hewitt and Washington ventured to establish a firm that would provide quality architectural services. Since its inception, the size and scope of projects the firm has designed vary from elementary schools to university campus facilities. The firm's resources comprise a staff of professionals that includes architects, CAD operators, and administrative personnel. The team approach allows Hewitt-Washington's technical staff to work in groups for increased productivity and efficiency. The process assists the firm in accommodating its client's needs without compromising quality. Technical resources such as computer aided drafting stations using the most current version of AutoCAD, Internet access, scanners, and production quality plotters also assist the firm in functioning at its best. Hewitt-Washington & Associates provides complete architectural services for both public and private clients that include local and federal governments, universities, school boards, private developers, and housing authorities. The building types that the firm has produced range from educational use facilities, community centers and churches, to parking structures, office buildings, retail space and more. Over the last 10 years, HWA has provided three-quarters of the educational space for Orleans Parish Schools. In addition, HWA has been involved in designing facilities for the New Orleans Recreational Department, and the Louisiana Training Institute for juveniles in Bridge City, LA. Recently the City of New Orleans awarded HWA two facilities for young people of the area: the Youth Study Center Improvement project and the Milne Boys' Home Campus Revitalization project. HWA understands the design and durability needs that the construction must endure in use of the facility. As a company and individually, James R. Washington, Jr., and Lonnie Hewitt, Jr. have been role models and mentors for young people in the greater New Orleans area. The company brings in young people to watch and learn through internships and one-on-one mentoring.