MAR 5 & 6 2025

Miami Beach Convention Center

Amir Aghajani & Michele Van Hyfte: Speaking at the Disasters Expo Miami

Amir Aghajani & Michele Van Hyfte

HOK

A Story of Resilience: Hurricane Ian

We will discuss the design of the design of The Luminary Hotel and its performance during and after Hurricane Ian last year, when it performed so well that it served as the state government''s command center.

About Amir Aghajani & Michele Van Hyfte

AMIR – Amir is a Senior Project Engineer based in HOK’s Houston office. With a degree in Structural Analysis, Amir specializes in the structural design and analysis of our most complex projects. He brings a strong base of technical skills and command of the structural engineering field, with design experience on a range of project types, including corporate, commercial, education and hospitality. His project experience extends to commercial high-rise structures. Amir was most notably involved in the dynamic analysis and verification of the Travis Bridge in Houston.

MICHELE - Michele Van Hyfte, known for her expertise in sustainable and resilient design, is HOK’s Regional Sustainability Leader for Texas and Firmwide Leader in Resiliency. With over 25 years of professional experience, Michele brings a distinctive combination of expertise in architecture, urban design, sustainability and resilience. In addition to her professional roles, Michele has a distinguished history of advocacy and public speaking, which has positioned her as a central figure in sustainable development and policy dialogue. Through her active participation in various legislative sessions, community advisory groups, and task forces, she has emerged as a leading voice in environmental initiatives.