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HOK (firm)
HOK (firm)
HOK (firm)
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HOK founding partners George Hellmuth, Gyo Obata, and George Kassabaum (1956)

Key Information

Priory Chapel at Saint Louis Abbey located in Creve Coeur a suburb of St. Louis
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Tokyo Telecom Center in Tokyo
Passenger Terminal Amsterdam in Amsterdam
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia
Indianapolis International Airport Colonel H. Weir Cook Terminal in Indianapolis, Indiana
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida
World Trade Center in Chennai, India
Rogers Place arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

HOK Group, Inc., formerly Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, is an American design, architecture, engineering, and urban planning firm. Founded in 1955, it is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

History

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Founding

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HOK was established in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1955.[2] The firm is named for its three founding partners: George F. Hellmuth, Gyo Obata and George Kassabaum, all graduates of the School of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis.[2]

The practice's first building designs were schools in St. Louis suburbs, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florissant was the first independent school designed by the firm. Another prominent school they designed was the Saint Louis Priory School.[3]

Early years

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By the mid-1960s, the firm was winning commissions across the United States and began to open additional offices, starting with San Francisco in 1966 for the design of a library at Stanford University and Dallas in 1968 for the master planning and design of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.[4][5] Also in 1968, HOK launched its interior design practice. That year, HOK expanded into Washington, D.C., after winning the commission to design the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In 1973, HOK established a presence in New York by acquiring Kahn & Jacobs, designers of many New York City skyscrapers. By the 1970s, the firm was operating internationally and in 1975 the firm was named as architect of the $3.5 billion King Saud University in Riyadh, at the time the single largest building project in the world.[6] In 1979, George Kassabaum was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate Academician.[7]

In 1983, HOK formed HOK Sport Venue Event, a subsidiary devoted entirely to designing sport stadiums, arenas, and convention centers, an architectural boom market at the time.[6] In January 2009, the Board of HOK Group, Inc. and managers of HOK Sports Facilities, LLC transferred ownership of HOK Sport to leaders of that practice. The company became an independent firm, and rebranded itself as Populous.[8]

Expansion and acquisitions

[edit]

HOK's first office outside the US opened in Hong Kong in 1984, and the second in London in 1987, a practice that would be expanded in 1995 by merging with the British architectural practice Cecil Denny Highton.[9][10]

The firm expanded into China in 2013, when it acquired the New York and Shanghai offices of hospitality design firm BBG-BBGM, creating one of the world's largest interior design firms,[11] although BBG-BBGM's office in Washington, D.C., continues to operate as BBGM. By 2007, international work represented more than 40% of HOK's annual revenue.[12]

As of June 2024, HOK operates 26 offices[13] across North America, Europe and Asia, including in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai in China; Dubai in the Middle East;[14] Mumbai, India; and Toronto, Canada, where it established its first offices in 1997 with the acquisition of Urbana Architects.[15][16][17][18][19]

Other domestic acquisitions include Caudill Rowlett Scott based in Houston, Texas, in November 1994, adding offices in Houston and Atlanta.[20][21] The purchase of 360 Architecture in January 2015, a 200-person, Kansas City–based firm, gave the group capabilities in the design of stadiums, ballparks and arenas.[22] That acquisition enabled HOK to launch a new global Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment design practice after the breakaway of Populous, and to open new offices in Kansas City and Columbus, Ohio.[23] This return to the firm's tradition of stadium architecture was buoyed on May 15, 2015, when the firm announced a multi-year partnership with the United Soccer League (USL) in the US to lead a stadium development, design and standards initiative to help house all USL clubs in soccer-specific stadiums across North America by the end of the decade.[24]

Leadership

[edit]

In 2023, Eli Hoisington and Susan Klumpp Williams were appointed joint co-CEOs of HOK, the firm's youngest CEOs, and the first time it had appointed a woman.[25][26] They succeeded Bill Hellmuth, founder George Hellmuth’s nephew, who was president of the firm from 2004 to 2016 and CEO from 2016 until his passing in 2023.[27] Prior to Bill Hellmuth, Patrick MacLeamy served as HOK’s CEO from 2003 to 2016, and chairman since 2012.[28] MacLeamy succeeded HOK Chairman Bill Valentine when he retired after 50 years with the firm.[29]

Innovation and sustainable design

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In 1983, HOK introduced HOK Draw, computer-aided drafting software products that specialized in conceptual architectural design. In the early 2000s, HOK began using Building Information Modeling (BIM) to streamline the design and construction process.[30]

His team designed the Weather Prediction Center with a four-story waterfall to direct rainwater into bio-retention gardens; and a louvred sunlight system for a building used by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.[31][32]

HOK has worked with the Biomimicry Group, co-founded by Janine Benyus, since 2008, which directs designers to use natural models in solving problems such as precipitation capture.[33][34] In 2010, they collaborated with the energy and daylight consultancy, The Weidt Group, to complete Net Zero Court, a zero-emissions class A commercial office building in St. Louis.[35][36] Using an ocular roof design, their 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium became the first LEED Platinum certified sports stadium in the US.[37][38] Their design for the Boston Consulting Group HQ in Toronto in 2022, uses principles of wellness-informed architecture, to maximise natural light and encouraging standing, for which it won WELL Platinum Certification from WELL Building Standard accreditation body.[39]

HOK and Biomimicry 3.8 released the Genius of Biome report, a textbook for how to apply biomimicry design principles.[40] In 2014, ORO Editions published HOK Tall Buildings, a 300-page book exploring the design of the contemporary high-rise.[41]

Publications

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  • Mendler, Sandra; Odell, William (2000). The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design. New York Weinheim: Wiley. ISBN 9780471379065. OCLC 45059599.

Selected projects

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

HOK (firm)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
HOK, formerly known as Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, is an American multinational design, , , and firm founded in 1955 in , , by architects George Hellmuth, , and George Kassabaum. The firm employs approximately 1,700 professionals who collaborate across a network of 27 offices spanning three continents, delivering integrated solutions that emphasize sustainability, innovation, and . HOK serves diverse sectors including , healthcare, , workplace, and mixed-use developments, with a strong focus on reducing environmental impact—achieving carbon neutrality in 2022 and committing to net-zero emissions by 2030 through advanced research and energy-efficient practices. Over its nearly 70-year history, HOK has evolved from a regional practice into a global leader, earning recognition for design excellence via awards such as multiple American Architecture Awards for projects like Terminal B and the UPMC Mercy Pavilion. Under co-CEOs Eli Hoisington and Susan Klumpp Williams, appointed in 2023 as the youngest and first female leaders in the firm's history, HOK continues to prioritize collaborative, transformative projects that enhance communities and address climate challenges.

History

Founding and early years

HOK traces its origins to 1949, when George Hellmuth joined the architectural firm Hellmuth, Yamasaki and Leinweber, where he collaborated with future partners and George Kassabaum on early projects. In 1955, following the dissolution of that firm, Hellmuth, , and Kassabaum established Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) in , , deriving the firm's name from the initials of their surnames. The trio brought complementary expertise—Hellmuth in , in , and Kassabaum in —laying the groundwork for a collaborative approach that emphasized integrated teams working across disciplines. From its inception, HOK focused on architectural design for institutional and commercial clients in the Midwest, beginning with commissions from school boards in rural and . The firm adopted a studio model that fostered close collaboration among architects, engineers, and other specialists, enabling efficient problem-solving and innovative solutions tailored to client needs. This process, rooted in the partners' shared vision, distinguished HOK from traditional practices and supported its emphasis on functional, people-centered . Among HOK's formative projects was the design of the Lambert Field (now ) terminal in 1956, which showcased the firm's ability to handle large-scale . Early healthcare and educational work included the completion of its first building—a public school in a suburb—in 1955. These successes fueled steady growth, with the firm expanding from 26 employees at founding to over 100 by the late , solidifying its reputation in the region.

Expansion, acquisitions, and international growth

HOK initiated its international expansion in 1984 by opening its first office outside the in , marking a significant step in supporting growing project demands in . This move was followed by the establishment of a office in 1987, providing a foothold in for major commissions such as those for British Petroleum. Further growth in included the opening of offices in in 2003 and in 2006, enabling the firm to handle increasing opportunities in and contribute to landmark developments like the Hyatt on the Bund. The firm's entry into the occurred in 2000 with the launch of its office, broadening its global reach to three continents. To accelerate expertise in specialized sectors, HOK pursued strategic acquisitions in the . In 2013, the firm integrated the New York and offices of hospitality design specialist BBG-BBGM, positioning HOK as one of the world's leading practices in hospitality design by combining talents and portfolios. This was complemented in 2014 by the announcement of the acquisition of , a Kansas City-based firm renowned for sports and entertainment projects, with the deal completing in early 2015 and re-establishing HOK's prominence in those areas through the addition of over 180 professionals. These moves exemplified HOK's approach to organic and inorganic growth, leveraging acquisitions to enhance service offerings without diluting its collaborative ethos rooted in its founding principles. Domestically, HOK continued scaling through new office openings and relocations, such as the studio established in 1995 and relocated to in 2025 to mark its 30th anniversary in the city. The New York presence was similarly bolstered via the BBG-BBGM acquisition, supporting expanded operations in the Northeast. By 2025, these efforts had resulted in a of approximately 1,700 professionals operating from 27 offices across , , and . Key milestones underscored this trajectory, including the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2005, which highlighted five decades of design innovation through initiatives like funding healthcare facilities in , and the 70th anniversary in 2025, reflecting on seven decades of global impact.

Leadership and organization

Historical leadership

HOK was founded in 1955 in St. Louis, Missouri, by three partners who brought complementary expertise to create a multidisciplinary firm: George F. Hellmuth, focused on business development and marketing; Gyo Obata, leading design innovation; and George Kassabaum, overseeing operations and engineering integration. Hellmuth, an experienced architect and businessman, recruited Obata and Kassabaum to form the partnership, envisioning a firm that combined architectural creativity with practical execution to serve clients effectively. Obata, a Japanese American architect trained at Washington University, drove early design breakthroughs, including innovative airport terminals like the 1956 expansion of St. Louis Lambert International Airport and the landmark 1973 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which pioneered regional hub concepts with efficient passenger flow and modular structures. Kassabaum, also a Washington University alumnus, ensured engineering rigor, integrating structural and technical elements seamlessly into designs to enhance buildability and performance from the outset. The founding partners established HOK's enduring four principles for success—, client focus, , and profitability—which shaped the firm's culture and strategy through collaborative , deep client engagement, , and sound . These principles fostered a partner-led model in the firm's early decades, emphasizing shared among principals to balance artistic vision with operational viability. Subsequent leaders built on this foundation; for instance, in the 1980s, Jerome "Jerry" Sincoff, who joined HOK in 1962 and rose to vice president, played a pivotal role in the firm's international expansion by spearheading the opening of an office in and guiding overseas project pursuits, which diversified HOK's portfolio and global presence. Sincoff later served as president and CEO from 1990 to 2000, reinforcing the principles amid rapid growth. Following Sincoff, Bill Valentine served as chairman during the early 2000s, contributing to the firm's continued growth before MacLeamy's appointment. Long-term leadership transitioned through figures like Patrick MacLeamy, who as CEO from 2003 to 2016 advanced HOK's global operations while upholding the founders' ethos, authoring insights into the firm's strategies in his 2020 book. Bill Hellmuth, nephew of founder George Hellmuth, joined HOK in 1991 and became president in 2005, ascending to CEO in 2016 and serving until his death in April 2023 after 32 years with the firm. Under Hellmuth's tenure, HOK intensified focus on sustainability—earning accreditation and integrating principles—and digital tools, such as advanced BIM and computational modeling, to enhance project efficiency and environmental performance across its portfolio. Over time, HOK's leadership model evolved from the initial partner-led structure, which distributed responsibilities among a small group of principals, to a more distributed executive framework with a CEO guiding strategic direction while preserving collaborative decision-making, culminating in preparations for a co-CEO approach by the early to sustain the firm's innovative and client-centered culture. This shift reflected the founders' emphasis on teamwork.

Current leadership and structure

In April 2023, following the death of former CEO Bill Hellmuth, HOK appointed Eli Hoisington, AIA, AP, and Susan Klumpp Williams, AIA, AP, as co-chief executive officers, marking the firm's first shared leadership model at the top and its youngest CEOs to date, with Hoisington at age 46 becoming the youngest ever. Hoisington, based in the studio, leads design initiatives, innovation, research, and global expansion efforts to enhance the firm's international presence. Williams, the first woman to serve as CEO and chair of HOK's management board, oversees operations and business strategy while prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and equitable career development across the organization. Both leaders, who are LEED accredited, continue the firm's commitment to practices established by its founders. HOK's organizational structure is decentralized and studio-led, with 27 studios across three continents operated by regional managing principals who guide local teams and projects. For example, Angelo Arzano, AIA, NCARB, serves as managing principal for the studio, focusing on and . The firm is supported by a management board and specialized practice area leaders, such as Nate Appleman, AIA, AP, who directs the Sports + Recreation + Entertainment sector from Kansas City, ensuring expertise in venue design and . This model fosters collaboration while allowing studios to address region-specific needs in , , , and . As of 2025, HOK employs about 1,700 professionals worldwide, comprising architects, engineers, interior designers, urban planners, and specialists in sustainable and . The firm emphasizes diversity in its workforce, with initiatives like the 2023 HOK Forward publication on for neurodivergent individuals in complex environments such as airports and hospitals, promoting neuroinclusion through sensory-friendly spaces and equitable practices. In June 2025, HOK strengthened its sports leadership by welcoming back Doug Barraza, AIA, NCARB, AP BD+C, as regional leader of the Sports + + practice in Kansas City, leveraging his 35 years of experience in and design. This addition supports the firm's growth in high-profile projects amid expanding market demands.

Design approach and innovations

Sustainable and regenerative design

HOK has pioneered sustainable practices in architecture since the 1990s, emphasizing broad environmental impact, decarbonization, resiliency, and adaptation to climate challenges. This approach guides the firm's efforts to minimizing ecological footprints while enhancing building performance across all project phases. The firm's early commitment is exemplified in publications such as The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design, which provides practical strategies for integrating high-performance, eco-friendly principles into urban planning, site design, and building operations. Central to HOK's sustainability strategy are ambitious goals, including achieving a carbon-neutral design portfolio by 2030 and tracking the projected energy performance of every project to ensure alignment with these targets. In 2023, HOK's projects demonstrated a 65.5% reduction in energy use intensity compared to baseline levels, surpassing the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) 2030 Commitment benchmarks ahead of schedule. The firm integrates Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) expertise into its teams to pursue certifications, with numerous projects achieving LEED Platinum status. Additionally, HOK has received 10 AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) awards, recognizing its leadership in exemplary sustainable design since the program's inception in 1997. Advancing beyond net-zero standards, HOK's initiatives focus on creating buildings that actively restore , such as through enhancement and resource regeneration. The 2024-2025 Regenerative Futures research project explores strategies for structures that produce , clean , and convert for reuse, redefining the , , and industry's role in ecosystem restoration. This effort underscores HOK's shift toward designs that not only mitigate harm but contribute positively to and community well-being. In recognition of these advancements, HOK was named Firm of the Year for leadership at the 2025 Metropolis Planet Positive Awards, highlighting its innovative contributions to planet-positive .

Technological and methodological innovations

HOK has integrated (BIM) into its design processes since the early 2000s, with a firm-wide commitment formalized in 2006 through the HOK buildingSMART initiative, which streamlined collaboration and reduced errors in complex projects. This adoption evolved alongside computational design tools, enabling parametric modeling for optimized structural and spatial outcomes, as seen in recent hires emphasizing multidisciplinary computational approaches. In , HOK employs AI for predictive modeling, exemplified by a 2024 study reimagining underutilized office towers as AI hubs with edge data centers to forecast and support computational demands in city revitalization. Methodological advancements include the widespread use of (VR) for client immersion since at least 2017, allowing teams to iterate designs in immersive environments and enhance across global studios. Following , HOK shifted toward data-informed hybrid work environments, leveraging space utilization analytics to create flexible offices that balance and individual needs, as demonstrated in their own studio renovations. The 2015 acquisition of bolstered HOK's expertise in for sports venues, leading to tools like the Scrum platform, which rapidly prototypes seating configurations to maximize fan experience and revenue. In 2024, HOK introduced neuroinclusive guidelines, developed by workplace strategist Kay Sargent, to accommodate neurodivergent employees through sensory-responsive spaces that promote equity and productivity. These innovations earned HOK two Honorable Mentions in Fast Company's 2024 Innovation by Design Awards, including for the tech-integrated hybrid headquarters of BCG in , highlighting adaptive strategies in workplace transformation. HOK's technological tools also support sustainable goals by simulating energy-efficient outcomes during early design phases.

Publications and research

HOK has established itself as a prolific publisher in the architecture and design fields, producing books, reports, and thought leadership materials that disseminate expertise on sustainable practices, firm management, and innovative building strategies. One of its seminal works is The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design, first published in 2000 and updated in a second edition in 2005, which provides a comprehensive framework for integrating environmental considerations into architectural projects, covering topics from site planning to material selection. Authored by Sandra F. Mendler, William Odell, and Mary Ann Lazarus, the guidebook has served as a foundational resource for advancing green building principles in the industry. In 2020, Patrick MacLeamy, former CEO of HOK, published Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm: The People, Stories, and Strategies Behind HOK, offering insights into building and scaling a global design practice through case studies of HOK's growth and management philosophies. The book emphasizes , , and as key to success in architecture firms. Complementing this, HOK: A Global Design Portfolio (2009) showcases the firm's international projects, highlighting excellence across sectors like transportation and healthcare without delving into specifics. Similarly, HOK Tall Buildings (2014), published by ORO Editions, explores innovative high-rise designs, focusing on structural, aesthetic, and urban integration challenges, with a follow-up volume in 2025 addressing evolving trends in density and . More recent reports underscore HOK's commitment to contemporary issues. The Making a Difference by Design report (2022/23 edition, released in 2024) outlines the firm's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework, detailing strategies for and social impact in design practices. In 2025, Regenerative Futures emerged as a key research initiative, investigating adaptive building solutions that promote ecosystem regeneration and resilience in the face of . Additionally, Kay Sargent, HOK's Director of Interiors, authored Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing and Cognitive Well-Being in the (2025), a guide to creating spaces that accommodate neurodivergent individuals through sensory-friendly acoustics, , and layouts. HOK's thought leadership extends to annual sector-focused reports under the HOK Forward series, such as the 2024 edition on new ways of working in legal, , and sectors, and the 2025 healthcare overview, which analyze workplace trends and design implications. The firm also contributes articles to journals on and , sharing research on topics like inclusive environments and adaptive . Over more than two decades, these publications have influenced industry standards by promoting approaches and fostering dialogue on global challenges.

Notable projects

Transportation and aviation

HOK has established itself as a leader in designing transformative facilities that prioritize efficient movement, integrated , and climate-adaptive , often incorporating modular and flexible systems to accommodate future growth. The firm's projects emphasize streamlined circulation through linear layouts, connectors, and phased construction to minimize disruptions, while embedding checkpoints within multi-use spaces for enhanced operational flow. These designs also incorporate resilient elements, such as high-performance materials and native , to withstand and reduce environmental impact. A flagship example is the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B in New York, completed in 2022 as part of an $8 billion modernization program. This 1.3 million-square-foot facility replaced the outdated 1964 structure with a four-story headhouse featuring soaring 60-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows for natural daylight, and elevated pedestrian bridges connecting to concourses, optimizing passenger flow for up to 17.5 million annual passengers. Security integration occurs on the third floor with adaptable, common-use screening areas, while the design's resilient features, including a solar thermal system, contributed to the terminal achieving v4 Gold certification as the world's first airport project at this level. In , , HOK led the design for the phased expansion of King Khalid International Airport's Terminals 3 and 4, awarded in 2013 to support the country's growing aviation demands under Vision 2030. The increased capacity through modular additions that integrate cultural motifs, such as geometric patterns inspired by local , while enhancing passenger circulation with expanded concourses and efficient security zones. The was completed in 2022, enabling the airport to handle higher volumes of international traffic with resilient infrastructure designed for the region's arid climate. HOK's deep ties to St. Louis Lambert International Airport trace back to the firm's founding, as partner designed the original terminal, which opened in 1956 and introduced innovative arched vaults that influenced modern airline architecture. In the , HOK contributed to the airport's master efforts, which envisioned airfield improvements and terminal consolidation to boost capacity to 40 million passengers annually. Building on this legacy, in 2025 HOK was selected to lead the design of a $3 billion single consolidated terminal, incorporating optimized flow paths, integrated security, and climate-resilient features to modernize operations. For Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, HOK headed a for domestic terminal improvements, earning the 2023 AIA Georgia Design Award and AIA ASPIRE Award for renovation. The project features two 864-by-200-foot ETFE-paneled canopies over curbside areas, reducing solar heat gain by 50 percent and enhancing weather protection, alongside a re-skinned facade with metal panels and clerestories for improved daylight and passenger navigation. These upgrades streamline security and flow within the 20-year expansion program, with sustainable elements like lightweight contributing to energy efficiency.

Healthcare and education

HOK's contributions to healthcare architecture emphasize patient-centered environments that promote healing through principles, incorporating , intuitive navigation, and sustainable features to support wellness outcomes. In the early 1960s, the firm undertook expansions for various hospitals in , establishing precedents for efficient, modern healthcare facilities that balanced clinical functionality with patient comfort. A landmark example is the NewYork-Presbyterian David H. Koch Center in New York, completed in 2018, which serves as a three-in-one ambulatory care facility for , pediatric care, and . The design features a warm, transparent facade with wood screens and extensive glazing to maximize natural light, fostering a welcoming atmosphere while prioritizing patient-centered layouts that integrate family support and reduce stress. This project achieved LEED Gold certification, highlighting HOK's commitment to resilient and flexible healthcare spaces. More recently, the Pavilion in , opened in 2023, integrates vision care, rehabilitation, and research in a 410,000-square-foot, nine-story facility designed with principles for , earning a 2024 American Architecture Award. In 2025, the Western State Forensic Hospital in —a 521,000-square-foot, 350-bed behavioral for individuals in the system—received an American Architecture Award for its holistic treatment approach and secure, therapeutic environments. In education, HOK focuses on creating environments that enhance and , particularly through post-pandemic designs emphasizing flexible spaces for hybrid instruction and community engagement. The firm's ongoing work at in the UK includes the Translational Research Hub, a six-story facility opened in 2022 that supports interdisciplinary with cleanrooms, labs, and collaborative areas for up to 350 users, promoting sustainable processes and industry partnerships. In the United States, HOK's Headquarters in New York exemplifies , transforming an existing structure into a collaborative workspace in the mid-2010s that inspires through open, mission-driven interiors. The Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park in , completed in 2023, provides flexible labs and collaborative spaces for , earning a 2024 American Architecture Award. HOK's expertise in these sectors extends to integrating (BIM) for precise coordination in complex healthcare and educational builds. The firm's healthcare typologies earned recognition in the 2023 American Architecture Awards, underscoring their impact on innovative, human-centered designs.

Commercial and mixed-use

HOK's commercial and mixed-use projects emphasize innovative, user-centered designs that blend functionality with cultural and environmental sensitivity, often transforming urban landscapes into vibrant, multifunctional destinations. These developments highlight the firm's ability to create spaces for , luxury , and integrated residential-retail environments, prioritizing adaptability and community integration. The Americas Headquarters, located at 390 in , New York, serves as a prime example of HOK's approach to corporate workspaces, completed in 2020 as an eight-floor vertical campus that unites the company's beauty and cosmetics brands under one roof. The design incorporates biophilic elements, such as a large manicured terrace on the 19th floor, alongside shared dining and lounge areas, flexible "knuckle" spaces for brand-specific needs, and custom features like tinted glass conference rooms and punched metal detailing on stairs and balconies to promote collaboration and sensory engagement. Spanning 220,000 square feet across eight contiguous floors in a 32-story tower, the headquarters fosters a sense of "one " through double-height spaces and connecting stairs that encourage interaction. In the hospitality sector, HOK's Atlantis Sanya Resort on Hainan Island, China, opened in 2018, reimagines the mythical lost city of Atlantis through an ocean-themed luxury development tailored to its coastal context. The 55-story tower houses 1,314 guestrooms and 154 suites with panoramic South China Sea views, complemented by a podium level offering 320,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, and conference spaces, as well as amenities like the Lost Chambers Aquarium, a waterpark, and the signature Atlantis Bridge Suite. Cultural motifs draw from the South China Sea's marine life and Hainan's rocky coastline, integrated into the 2.55 million square foot complex via a 79-foot-high lantern-inspired facade and educational exhibits that blend global mythology with local heritage. The project earned recognition as Asia's Leading New Resort at the 2019 World Travel Awards and multiple Golden Horse Awards for best MICE and entertainment destination resorts in 2016. HOK excels in for commercial applications, as demonstrated by the AF Group Headquarters in downtown , which repurposed an abandoned power plant listed on the into a modern office facility. The 324,000 renovation preserved the building's industrial masonry exterior and historic glazed tile walls in the turbine hall, while adding a 105,000 C-shaped extension in style and inserting new floors for open workspaces. Energy-efficient features, including high-performance windows and daylight-optimized lighting controls, contributed to its LEED-NC Gold certification, balancing heritage preservation with contemporary functionality. Mixed-use developments like the Arterra Residential Tower in Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District further showcase HOK's urban integration strategies, with the 12-story structure completed in providing 126 apartment units alongside ground-floor retail and amenities such as a rooftop pool and social lounge. The 183,000 square foot building features a glass-walled lobby and street-facing retail to activate the public realm, drawing design cues from the site's "crossroads" location to enhance connectivity in the arts-focused neighborhood. It received a finalist nod in the IIDA Gateway Chapter Multifamily Residential IDEA Awards for its contribution to downtown vitality. The 2015 acquisition of Kansas City-based bolstered HOK's expertise in sports venues, enabling conceptual designs for stadiums that integrate commercial and entertainment elements, such as early ideas for Royals ballpark sites emphasizing local barbecue culture and brewery homages within downtown frameworks. This expansion has supported HOK's broader mixed-use portfolio, where sports facilities serve as anchors for urban districts. A notable example is Energizer Park, the 22,500-seat stadium and 32-acre campus for Major League Soccer's , opened in 2023, which integrates team headquarters, training facilities, and public spaces to revitalize and earned a 2025 American Architecture Award. Reflecting contemporary trends, HOK's commercial projects address hybrid workspaces by incorporating flexible, collaborative zones with biophilic and sensory elements to support post-pandemic models, as seen in their own redesigns that prioritize employee choice and . In urban revitalization, initiatives like the Phase 4—a mixed-use business district with offices, residences, retail, a hotel, and metro integration—earned a 2023 American Architecture Award for reimagining city cores. Similarly, the JP Morgan Chase Tower Repositioning in , a renovated 75-story landmark with enhanced plazas and lobbies, received the same honor for adaptive commercial upgrades. These efforts often reference principles briefly to minimize environmental impact while maximizing community benefits.

References

  1. https://www.hok.com/news/2023-04/bill-hellmuth-chairman-and-ceo-of-hok-dies-at-69/
  2. https://www.hok.com/news/2022-03/gyo-obata-founding-partner-at-hok-dies-at-99/
  3. https://www.hok.com/about/
  4. https://www.hok.com/news/2023-11/seven-hok-projects-named-winners-of-2023-american-architecture-awards/
  5. https://www.hok.com/news/2024-12/two-hok-projects-win-2024-american-architecture-awards/
  6. https://www.hok.com/news/2025-11/four-hok-projects-win-2025-american-architecture-awards/
  7. https://www.hok.com/news/2022-11/laguardia-airport-terminal-b-wins-dbia-and-uli-new-york-awards/
  8. https://www.hok.com/news/2023-04/hok-names-eli-hoisington-and-susan-klumpp-williams-as-co-ceos/
  9. https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/hok-group-inc-history/
  10. https://www.hok.com/news/2019-09/hoks-asia-pacific-practice-celebrates-its-35th-anniversary/
  11. https://www.prc-magazine.com/hoks-asia-practice-celebrates-its-35th-anniversary/
  12. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bbg-bbgm-joins-hok-to-create-one-of-the-worlds-leading-hospitality-design-firms-236056111.html
  13. https://www.bdcnetwork.com/home/news/55158763/hok-to-acquire-360-architecture
  14. https://www.athleticbusiness.com/industry-press-room/article/15146312/hok-completes-acquisition-of-360-architecture
  15. https://www.hok.com/news/2025-03/hok-moves-to-chicagos-one-prudential-plaza/
  16. https://www.canadianarchitect.com/hok-commemorates-its-50th-anniversary-by-launching-diagnostic-and-treatment-centre-in-mbirikani-keny/
  17. https://www.hok.com/news/2025-01/hok-celebrates-70th-anniversary/
  18. https://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/architect-50/2009-architect-50-no-3-hok_o
  19. https://www.archdaily.com/978315/gyo-obata-founding-partner-at-hok-passes-away-at-99
  20. https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-architectural-reviews/a5111-an-inside-look-at-the-studios-of-hok/
  21. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Designing%2Ba%2BWorld-Class%2BArchitecture%2BFirm%253A%2BThe%2BPeople%252C%2BStories%252C%2Band%2BStrategies%2BBehind%2BHOK-p-00065155
  22. https://www.hok.com/news/2024-12/jerome-sincoff-architect-and-ceo-who-led-hoks-global-expansion-dies-at-91/
  23. https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/hok-group-inc
  24. https://www.archdaily.com/952316/patrick-macleamy-on-designing-a-world-class-architecture-firm
  25. https://www.hok.com/news/2022-11/bill-hellmuth-to-retire-in-april-2023/
  26. https://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/q-a-hok-ceo-bill-hellmuth_o
  27. https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/know-your-architects/a10037-architect-bill-hellmuth-ideology-and-philosophy/
  28. https://www.hok.com/people/leadership/view/susan-klumpp-williams/
  29. https://www.hok.com/people/leadership/view/angelo-arzano/
  30. https://www.hok.com/ideas/publications/inclusive-design-complex-buildings/
  31. https://www.hok.com/news/2025-06/hok-welcomes-elizabeth-sullivan-and-doug-barraza-to-key-practice-leader-roles/
  32. https://www.hok.com/news/2025-10/hoks-sports-recreation-entertainment-practice-expands-leadership/
  33. https://www.amazon.com/HOK-Guidebook-Sustainable-Design/dp/0471696137
  34. https://www.hok.com/projects/discipline/sustainable-design/
  35. https://www.hok.com/news/2024-04/hoks-2023-carbon-neutral-progress-outpaces-aia-2030-commitment-timeline/
  36. https://www.hok.com/news/2025-06/hok-designs-continue-to-advance-carbon-neutral-goals-well-ahead-of-2030-timeline/
  37. https://www.hok.com/news/2017-04/hok-projects-in-hawaii-and-singapore-selected-as-aia-cote-2017-top-ten-winners/
  38. https://www.hok.com/projects/discipline/sustainable-design/regenerative-design/
  39. https://www.hok.com/news/2025-10/hok-named-firm-of-the-year-in-metropolis-magazines-planet-positive-awards/
  40. https://aecmag.com/features/bim-at-hok/
  41. https://www.hok.com/news/2025-04/hok-announces-strategic-hires-in-architecture-and-planning/
  42. https://www.hok.com/ideas/research/transforming-office-towers-into-ai-hubs-and-urban-data-centers/
  43. https://medium.com/hok-technologies/virtual-reality-in-architecture-and-design-f912f39ca4dc
  44. https://www.hok.com/ideas/research/how-hok-is-designing-its-offices-to-support-hybrid-work-collaboration-and-culture/
  45. https://www.hok.com/ideas/publications/using-accurate-space-data-to-inform-the-new-hybrid-workplace/
  46. https://www.hok.com/ideas/research/hoks-scrum-a-game-changing-design-tool-for-sports-and-entertainment-venues/
  47. https://www.hok.com/news/2024-03/hok-presents-neurodiversity-research-and-design-guidelines-at-sxsw-2024/
  48. https://www.hok.com/news/2024-10/hoks-kay-sargent-authors-guide-on-neuroinclusive-workplace-design/
  49. https://www.hok.com/news/2024-07/fast-company-recognizes-two-hok-projects-with-innovation-by-design-awards/
  50. https://www.amazon.com/HOK-Guidebook-Sustainable-Design/dp/0471379069
  51. https://www.amazon.com/Designing-World-Class-Architecture-Firm-Strategies/dp/1119685303
  52. https://books.google.com/books/about/HOK.html?id=f05dUhffj_0C
  53. https://oroeditions.com/product/tall-buildings
  54. https://www.hok.com/ideas/publications/hok-tall-buildings-vol-2/
  55. https://www.hok.com/ideas/publications/making-a-difference-by-design-report-2022-23/
  56. https://www.hok.com/news/2025-03/new-neuroinclusive-design-guide-by-hoks-kay-sargent-available/
  57. https://www.hok.com/ideas/publications/hok-forward-new-ways-of-working-legal-government-professional-services/
  58. https://issuu.com/hokmarketing/docs/2025_hok_healthcare
  59. https://www.hok.com/ideas/publications/
  60. https://www.hok.com/ideas/research/six-design-strategies-to-elevate-the-airport-experience/
  61. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/laguardia-airport-new-terminal-b/
  62. https://www.hok.com/news/2021-07/laguardia-airports-terminal-b-is-worlds-first-to-achieve-leed-v4-gold-certification/
  63. https://www.airport-technology.com/projects/king-khaled/
  64. https://architizer.com/projects/king-khalid-international-airport-expansion/
  65. https://www.facebook.com/HOKNetwork/posts/exciting-news-we-are-honored-to-announce-that-hok-has-been-selected-to-lead-the-/1158177889002410/
  66. https://www.stlpr.org/economy-business/2025-01-03/hok-designing-st-louis-lambert-airports-new-terminal
  67. https://www.stlmag.com/business/hok-history-new-st-louis-lambert-international-airport/
  68. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/hartsfield-jackson-atlanta-international-airport-domestic-passenger-terminal-improvements/
  69. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/newyork-presbyterian-david-h-koch-center-2/
  70. https://www.archdaily.com/915173/newyork-presbyterian-david-h-koch-center-hok-plus-ballinger-plus-pei-cobb-freed-and-partners
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  72. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/university-of-pittsburgh-medical-center-vision-and-rehabilitation-hospital/
  73. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/western-state-hospital-behavioral-health-facility/
  74. https://www.hok.com/projects/market/higher-education/
  75. https://www.hok.com/news/2022-07/cardiff-universitys-new-magnet-for-innovation-opens-for-business/
  76. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/teach-for-america-headquarters/
  77. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/shiseido-americas-headquarters/
  78. https://www.hok.com/news/2020-06/interior-design-magazine-highlights-hoks-design-of-shiseido-americas-headquarters/
  79. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/atlantis-sanya-resort/
  80. https://www.hok.com/news/2019-01/atlantis-sanya-resort-hotel-named-asias-leading-new-resort/
  81. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/af-group-company-headquarters/
  82. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/arterra-residential-tower/
  83. https://www.archpaper.com/2014/08/sports-architecture-giants-teaming-up-hok-to-acquire-360-architecture/
  84. https://www.hok.com/projects/view/mls-st-louis-city-sc-citypark/
  85. https://www.hok.com/projects/market/mixed-use/
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