HMH
The Power of Story: HMH Architecture × Mimi & Philipp
A story-driven film capturing the emotional journey of finding home, and how architecture rooted in trust can transform lives.
• Helped HMH move beyond showcasing technical excellence to emotional resonance
• Positioned HMH’s brand as one that aligns design with client values and aspirations
• Created an asset that speaks directly to the heart of dream clients, not just their eyes
• Showed how architecture becomes a mirror for the life clients seek to live
• Elevated HMH’s messaging around trust, collaboration, and life-centered design
Story Keywords
Our first Milestone is defining five Story Keywords that encapsulate the essence of the story. These keywords help us stay aligned on what’s most inspiring about the story, the emotional tone, target audience, and the key action we aim to drive. This alignment ensures we have a clear objective for your story before we make any creative decisions.
Inspiring Keyword
Change - The story embraces change; how leaving behind an old life can unlock the design of a new one, aligned with deeper values.
Uniqueness Keyword
Constraint - Constraint shaped creativity here: personal limitations, emotional needs, and architectural challenges sparked truly meaningful outcomes.
Audience Keyword
Enthusiasts - For those passionate about architecture, design, and thoughtful living—who understand that great homes begin with great alignment.
Feeling Keyword
Inspired - The film is an invitation—to feel awe at how space can reflect inner transformation, and to imagine new possibilities.
Action Keyword
Engage - More than admiration—we aimed to inspire viewers to start a conversation about design, life, and finding a home that fits both.
The Why
After decades of international moves and a cross-continental lifestyle, Mimi and Philipp were ready for a reset. For years, Philipp had commuted weekly between Los Angeles and Denver—a demanding rhythm that left little space for stillness and to enjoy the little moments in life. Mimi, often alone in L.A., knew it was time for a change. When they visited Denver on a whim, it instantly felt right. Two weeks later, they moved.
The Challenge
HMH Architecture and Interiors was hired to build the couple’s new home, a modern, light-filled space with a connection to nature and a warmth that invited pause. But behind this beautiful work, HMH faced a different kind of challenge: they weren’t attracting enough dream clients like Mimi and Philipp. Their messaging wasn’t connecting on an emotional level. They knew their work was special, they just needed a better way to tell that story.
The Approach
We were brought in to create an Impact Story, one that would move past surface-level testimonials and dig into the emotional reasons why clients choose HMH.
At first, we heard the technical aspects: the original foundation, the slope, the structural reinforcements. HMH had overcome complex challenges, and they were rightly proud. But when we sat with Mimi and Philipp in their home, those details didn’t resonate.
The Journey
“We don’t really care about the difficulty of reinforcing the foundation,” Philipp told us. “We don’t think about that now, we just enjoy living in our home.”
That moment unlocked everything.
We followed the thread, and what emerged was a story of shared ethos: a couple who believed change always leads to something better, and an architecture firm who mirrored that same belief. HMH wasn’t just designing homes. They were aligning with clients on a values level, creating spaces that reflected how people wanted to live.
Filming focused on the little, human moments. Descending the staircase. A quiet morning outside. A glance shared over coffee. The true architecture was emotional—and that’s what the story honored.
The Result
When the final film was delivered, both HMH and the couple were deeply moved. Mimi exclaimed, “This is SO impressive! How did you do that?!”
Philipp, initially skeptical, simply said: “Wow. It’s awesome. You’re VERY good at this.”
HMH saw the power of emotional storytelling. The film didn’t just show their work—it spoke to future clients who value trust, collaboration, and design that reflects who they are.
What We Loved Most
This wasn’t just a testimonial video. It was a portrait of a couple whose life story aligned with their architect’s philosophy. It helped HMH reconnect with what makes their practice special, and gave them a tool to attract more of the right clients.
On our final day of filming, Mimi pulled a bottle of wine from their custom cellar—one that HMH had designed to highlight the home’s original foundation. We shared it together while overlooking the Denver skyline. A simple, human moment. The kind great architecture makes possible.
Finding creative new angles to shoot from, like hiding the camera in a fabric basket.
Getting the shot for the coolest transition in the film from the CAD drawing to the real house.
It's always about making everything look cinematic.
