HKS Opens First Pacific Northwest Office in Seattle
HKS, a global design firm, announces the opening of a new office in Seattle, expanding HKS’ network of 27 global locations. A leader among international architecture and design firms, HKS is known for its innovative ability to create and deliver environments of distinction through award-winning architecture, planning, interior design, research and commitment to ESG (environmental, social and governance) in design.
The Seattle office will be the firm’s first in the Pacific Northwest, but HKS has delivered projects in the market since 1994, including work for Seattle Children’s Hospital.
“HKS has long considered the Pacific Northwest as a strategic location for its global enterprise,” said Dan Noble, President and Chief Executive Officer of HKS. “Now is a great time to plant a flag in Seattle. The right opportunity presented itself and we simply couldn’t pass it up. We’re bringing on a talented team with an outstanding reputation and great relationships in the Northwest and beyond.”
A multi-talented team of architects, designers and strategists, all with strong local ties and experience, will lead the Seattle office.
“We have deep connections with this leadership team and look forward to bringing their innovative thinking into the fold,” Noble added. “This team will significantly expand our offering in planning, advisory, workplace strategy and design capability.”
Doug Demers will serve as the HKS Seattle office director. Demers was previously the managing principal at Perkins + Will, studio director at Callison and managing partner at Colliers International in Seattle. A business strategist, real estate professional and architect, Doug has experience in education, hospitality and workplace, as well as development planning and portfolio optimization. Demers began his career at HKS headquarters in Dallas during the early 1980s, so his return to the firm is a homecoming of sorts.
Christa Jansen, Principal, Interiors; and Joslyn Balzarini, Principal, Interiors; will be among those joining Demers in the HKS Seattle office. Jansen and Balzarini have more than 40 years combined of interior design experience in the Seattle area, and the two will lead the expansion of the new office’s interior practice even further into the Pacific Northwest.
“Our focus in Seattle will be growing the practice, collaborating to leverage our local presence with HKS’ robust sector platform and continuing to excel in the non-traditional practice areas that allow us to serve clients as trusted counsel,” Demers said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun to explore how to collaborate and deliver new kinds of projects in the Pacific Northwest.”
The new HKS office will be located in Seattle’s Central Business District, where the core team will continue working on a major hotel renovation in Bellevue, Washington, and a life science building in Seattle.