HOK

We are honored to have been recognized with several recent design awards.  From project to practice wins, these recognitions celebrate the people, ideas and partnerships behind our work. Thank you to our clients, teams and colleagues for enabling HOK to earn the awards highlighted below!  ⬇️ 👏 ⬇️

Companies are more discerning than ever about their workplace location and offerings.    In a new article for CoStar, HOK’s Tim Hatton, Interiors practice leader, explores changing attitudes about the workplace and what that means for owners and developers Beyond rent, fit-out cost, service charge and employee experience, the questions are now about whether a workplace can demonstrate its value in performance, culture and talent: ⭐The commercial driver is talent. People need different environments for concentration, collaboration, informal learning, confidential conversations and recovery between tasks.    ⭐Acoustics, lighting, quiet space, spatial variety and neurodiversity are increasingly becoming requirements from the earliest stages of design.   ⭐The amenity conversation is becoming more practical, too. Instead of asking what photographs well, occupiers are looking at what makes life easier for people, from cafés and healthcare facilities to parcel collection, cycle infrastructure, showers and concierge-style services.   ⭐And another shift is already underway: AI. For years, workplace planning revolved around balancing desks with collaboration space, with 60:40 often treated as the standard ratio. AI-enabled work is making that too blunt. As employees spend more time working alongside large language models and digital assistants, demand for focused, uninterrupted space is rising.

Meet Heather Nauss, HOK's new business development leader based in our St. Louis studio! Heather has dedicated her career to the architecture, engineering and construction industry, building trusted relationships with healthcare clients and industry leaders. A strategic thinker and advisor, she works closely with clients to understand their objectives, challenges and priorities and connect them with the right expertise to accomplish their goals. At HOK, Heather will work across our design and marketing teams to identify opportunities, shape pursuit strategies and strengthen relationships with clients and partners. Her approach to business development is grounded in focused listening, authenticity and collaboration. “Heather understands that strong client relationships begin with listening and are built through trust,” said Brad Liebman, marketing principal in HOK's St. Louis studio. “Her strategic perspective and collaborative approach will help us strengthen existing relationships, build new ones and identify opportunities where HOK can bring the greatest value to our clients.” Welcome, Heather Nauss!

Emerging designs have been unveiled for San Diego International Airport's new post-security connector building linking the airport's new Terminal 1 with the Terminal 2 East Headhouse. While also modernizing the adjacent curbside environment, the new 40,000-sq.-ft. connector will replace the old Gates 20 and 21 walkways with new hold rooms and passenger boarding bridges, improving the passenger experience and enhancing operational flexibility. The project will also provide a post-security terminal connection for the first time, creating a more cohesive campus for travelers, airline staff and airport employees. The connector will accommodate two narrow-body aircraft gates, curated artwork, concessions and restrooms. The design will celebrate San Diego and feature clear circulation paths and minimal columns to reduce congestion and create clear sightlines that guide travelers through the space. The project builds on HOK’s longstanding design-build partnership with Sundt Construction at the San Diego International Airport. Together, the team has delivered five buildings at the airport, including the airport administration building, the facilities management department administration building, the facilities management department shops and warehouse building, the airline support building, and the airport fueling operations building. “We are excited to partner with San Diego International Airport and Sundt Construction on this project, building on a strong history of successful collaboration,” said Hoang Nguyen, regional leader of Aviation + Transportation at HOK. “The design will establish a clear sense of place that reflects San Diego’s character while creating a calm, intuitive experience for travelers and employees alike.” The Terminal 2 East Connector Building is scheduled to open in early 2029.

Cities can no longer look to the past to prepare for the future. That's a key takeaway from a major new climate change report developed by leading scientists and researchers, including HOK's Director of Resiliency, Ann Kosmal, FAIA.   Ann's section of "Research Priorities for Robust Climate Assessments in the United States" highlights seven important lessons for planners, designers, policymakers and community leaders:   𝟭. Cities need to plan for multiple crises happening at once. The old assumption that hazards occur one at a time is no longer reliable. 𝟮. Stop planning infrastructure in silos. Transportation, energy, water, communications and housing systems are deeply interconnected. Risk management should be too. 𝟯. Climate vulnerability is also a social issue. The communities facing the greatest climate risks often have the fewest resources to adapt. 𝟰. Better decisions require better information. Cities, businesses and governments need reliable climate data to plan effectively for an uncertain future. 𝟱. Land-use planning is a resilience strategy. Where and how we build can be just as important as the infrastructure we construct. 𝟲. Nature can be infrastructure. Urban forests, wetlands and other nature-based solutions can help reduce heat, manage stormwater and improve quality of life. 𝟳. Prioritize solutions that deliver multiple benefits. From building retrofits to renewable energy and green infrastructure, the best investments can reduce emissions while improving resilience, public health and affordability.   Ultimately, climate resilience is about understanding how entire urban systems respond to a changing climate and making smarter decisions today to reduce risk tomorrow. 🔗Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4heosvA

Thoughtful terminal design is good for passengers, airport employees and an airport’s bottom line. ✈️   In the latest issue of Business Traveler, HOK's Matthew Needham, director of Aviation + Transportation, explores with Ramsey Qubein how our airport partners are using design to create better experiences for the people who travel through and work in them.   Look at Salt Lake City International Airport, which recently ranked No. 1 in BLINK's 2026 analysis of airports with the happiest workers, noting how its expansive terminal transformation introduced brighter, larger and more functional spaces.   The business case for better design comes into focus at Tampa International Airport (TPA). Rethinking the airport’s transfer level created room for retail, family play areas, business workstations and public art while helping the space become more commercially productive. Highlights also point to the luxurious transformation of Terminal B at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, where an entirely new passenger experience includes destination dining, lounges and amenities.   Read the full story below ⬇️

HOK has a new address in Austin and we're celebrating with local flavor. Literally. 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️   This week, HOK officially opened the doors to our new Austin studio, bringing together our team, clients and friends to celebrate our new home. Guests mixed their own custom blends at a spice rub station while enjoying an evening filled with live music, food and connection.   Our new studio gives HOK a new place to collaborate and grow in the city. And we're just getting started!

HOK in Canada has a new managing principal. Join us in welcoming Justin Perdue to the firm. Based in Toronto, Justin will provide strategic leadership across HOK’s Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa studios, working to advance growth, design excellence, operational performance and exceptional client service. With 20 years of architectural experience spanning science and technology, higher education, sports and recreation and healthcare, Justin brings a broad perspective to complex design challenges. He champions integrated design and continuous improvement, believing that collaboration among clients, designers and builders leads to the best outcomes. His approach centers on shared goals, open communication and mutual trust. “Justin understands that a strong national practice is built on robust connections between people, studios and clients,” said Paul H. Harrison, design principal for HOK's Candian practice. “His collaborative approach and broad experience make him an ideal leader to bring our teams across Canada together around a shared vision for growth and design excellence.” Welcome to HOK, Justin S. Perdue!

New renderings reveal a closer look at the Jacksonville Jaguars' Stadium of the Future, including enhanced fan amenities, seating and spaces inspired by the city's natural and cultural character.   Designed by HOK, the renovation preserves the stadium’s core while transforming it into a year-round destination for sports, entertainment and community life. The stadium is optimized for Jacksonville’s warm climate with the venue rising at its north and south ends to maximize airflow, while a large shade canopy and landscaped green space reduce heat retention by more than 70%.   Fans will arrive through a subtropical Floridian park before ascending to a 360-degree concourse 30 feet above the ground with expansive city and river views. Inside, premium clubs, destination bars and food and drink offerings will reflect the city's character.   The 63,000-seat stadium can expand to 70,000 for college football games and accommodate even larger crowds for concerts.   The Jacksonville Jaguars are playing at home for the 2026 NFL season, keeping as many games as possible in Jacksonville and giving fans a chance to see the transformation take shape. Construction is scheduled for completion in August 2028.