Who We Are

Today, we’re building upon our legacy of industry-leading architectural delivery.

We've become an interdisciplinary global design firm by expanding our team beyond architects and interior designers to include researchers, urban designers, nurses, anthropologists, graphic designers and more. At HKS, we view design as a process of discovery. Design research enables us to experiment, to improve — and to design smarter solutions. That’s particularly important as we strive to create a more resilient future.

Meet Our Team

What We Believe

We believe that design should build trust between our collaborators, our clients and those who inhabit the places we design. We aim to inspire and empower the people and communities who encounter our work. To preserve and respect our natural resources, we create places that conserve and rejuvenate our planet, too.

What We Do

Design is a way of thinking. It can uncover hidden opportunities and create meaningful change. Design done right delivers the extraordinary.”
Dan Noble
President & CEO
FAIA, FACHA, LEED AP

Meet Our Leadership

We invite you to meet our team, led by a group of people respected for their personal character and professional expertise.

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People

Board of Directors

Explore Viewpoints

Leading Voices

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Meeting the Challenge of Feeding 10 Billion People is Mission Critical

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HKS’ Margarita Aguirre Ushers in Her Own Field of Dreams

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Designer Profile: Julie Hiromoto, AIA Young Architect Award Winner

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Dignity in Design: True Worth, Changing Homeless Intervention

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#HKSToday: What Our New Office Designs Say About Who We Are & Where We’re Going

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A Conversation on Climate: Is It “Game Over” — or “Game On” — for the Planet?

Four people sitting in armchairs around a coffee table with water glasses, discussing paperwork

Black and white image of Howard K. Smith, HKS's founder, working on a design model on a table

History

Building a Legacy

Harwood K. Smith (left, in plaid jacket) was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois. A gifted painter, he studied at the world-renowned School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In college, Harwood opted to channel his artistic creativity into architecture. Upon graduation, he moved to Dallas, Texas, to begin an architectural practice.

Harwood founded HKS in 1939. The Texas spirit—entrepreneurial, proud, resourceful & independent—underpins our culture to this day. Harwood’s artistic dreams also continue fuel our own: to inspire through design.

Awards

For our ability to imagine, design and create environments that achieve meaningful impact, our firm has been honored with a number of international awards. Here is a selection of those we've won recently.