We have entered the digital era and the use of Virtual Technology has become more acceptable and readily available.  As we entered the new decade – 2010, HOK FL has been immersed in the virtual world.

Upon returning to the office after the holidays, we were finally able to experience the new ACR (Advanced Collaboration Room) also known as the “Thunder” room.  The ACR is used for virtual meetings between varous locations and other HOK offices.  It is a sustainable option to business travel and  easily facilitates collaboration throughout the design process with the added ability to view the smiling faces of the meeting participants.

 We also had our first virtual Lunch – n- Learn presentation. Usually, the rep travels in from where ever, sets up, and provides …

I recently had the opportunity to meet Jan Harmon from HOK Los Angeles.  I was immediately struck by her thoughtful demeanor and kindness.  She has a fantastic sense of humor and an amazing smile to match it.  I’d love to kidnap her and have her around all the time!  Needless to say, she has a place to stay/visit any time she’s in DC!

Here is your opportunity to learn about Jan Harmon, beautiful, inspiring woman of HOK:

1. What is your role at HOK?

I am Human Resource Manager of the LA office and a member of the LA Management Committee.

2. How did you come to HOK and why have …

Last week, HOK participated in the National Organization for Minority Architects (NOMA) 37th annual international conference and exhibition.  As a part of the firm’s diversity initiative, HOK is partnering with organizations like NOMA to break through barriers by expanding the academic and professional horizons to a more diverse pool of individuals pursuing the field of architecture.

Attendees experienced an exciting and energizing line-up of speakers, including keynote presenter Gyo Obata, who recounted his personal journey confronting discrimination as a Japanese-American during World War II.

HOK hosted a special interactive planning and design charette benefiting South Side Day Nursery (SSDN). The exercise included visioning for a new, modern and “green” facility to …

A post from our HOK Chicago bike team captain, Agatha Wieczorek (3rd from the right), who has done a wonderful job of organizing our team:

We have 10 people on our Chicago bike team, some avid cyclists and some new riders who committed to this challenge.

Some people prefer to take streets, and we strategize about which roads have the best bike lanes and least vehicular congestion while the rest of the group enjoys their morning and evening rides along the arguably less death defying lake trail.

It’s a really great way to start and end your day. You’re not trapped on some mass transit system, sitting with strangers risking a swine flu …

If you’ve noticed my lack of blog posts in the last several months (I’m looking at you Blog Cop), I apologize. For the last 10 months or so, my wife and I have been preparing for our biggest life change thus far, and on Thursday, April 9th at 5:57 PM, Evan Tyler Sutherland came into the world, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, at a healthy 8lbs., 14 oz.

As you can tell, I’m a very proud papa. However, I’m equally as proud to work for HOK, who gave me two weeks paid leave to spend with my wife and son, adjusting to this new lifestyle. One of the newest benefits in HOK’s human resources playbook, …

Last week the Toronto Studio played HOST to nine University of Detroit Mercy Architecture students. D + T.O. is an upper level design studio being conducted under the direction of Amy Green-Deines [UDMsoa] and Sinisa Simic [HOK Toronto] and a mentorship of numerous HOK professionals from all disciplines. Toronto is positioned as the HOST and Detroit as the SYMBIONT in the relationship between the two cities. As the HOST, Toronto will provide benefit & support to the research and analysis of the studio.

Students, HOK designers, and thinkers participated in the weekend event through lectures and critiques. Students were provided with a unique opportunity …

That’s Joshua Bridie, a senior interior designer in HOK’s San Francisco office.

There are several upcoming career fair annoucements that have been posted to the HOK Careers Facebook page.

Check out the universities HOK plans to visit. There will be information distributed during these events — maybe even a prize giveaway! HOK people will be manning the booths to answer questions about what it’s like to work at the firm.

Keep checking back because more events will added throughout the upcoming months.

I know. I promised to try and frequently blog and post pictures from Greenbuild. I failed. Not for lack of effort. More like lack of time. Maybe next year.

As I look back on this trip, the most amazing thing about this event is the people – a people inspired by change. Everyone is cordial, welcoming and friendly. Everyone’s looking for answers to the growing questions surrounding sustainable design. Many answers are provided.

With my first trip to Greenbuild in the books, I’d like to walk you through it from my perspective as an exhibitor and not an attendee.

Monday, November 17, 2008
6:20 am – Flight leaves for Boston via DC. Much coffee needed.
11:15 am – Flight lands in Boston. Tim Gaidis and …

Last week Derek Don and I went to Purdue University to receive the Professional Firm of the Year Award from the Department of Landscape Architecture. Over the past 15 years, The HOK Planning Group has employed about 12 interns at several locations, including in St. Louis, New York and Washington DC. The Planning Group has hired several Purdue graduates, currently Derek Don in St. Louis, Reuben Verkamp in San Francisco and Erik Purkey in Chicago. The visit also gave us an opportunity to participate in a design charrette with the junior class, to present to the Purdue ASLA student chapter, and to present to a freshman class.   

For me, this was a great opportunity to reconnect …

It’s easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission…

A big thanks to Jamie Andrew, who did all the editing,

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Justin Zawyrucha’s other blog posts:
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HOK has launched a new “HOK Careers” page on Facebook! Whooo hooo…

As a part of the firm’s ongoing recruiting efforts, we hope that prospective hires can use the site to inquire about upcoming recruiting events and pose questions to us about what it’s like to work here! It’s just another way to let the world know about us! Features on the page allow fans to discuss trends and topics using the Discussion Board, ask questions or make comments on the Wall, and keep updated about upcoming events.

If your a current HOK employee, tell your friends! Anyone who is on Facebook …

Susan Hughes, Sandra Paret, Han Tieu and Andrea Frigolett recently welcomed students from UT-Arlington to the Dallas office to learn about the role the interior designer plays in furniture selection and implementation in a corporate project. Approximately 30 students attended the day’s presentation and office tour. Despite their interviewer’s (me!) limitations in terms of being able to multitask by filming and asking good questions at the same time, the UT-A students were smart, witty, fun and enthusiastic.

Apparently, my use of the English language can be quite one-dimensional when simultaneously trying to film and interview. After watching these interviews, I asked myself, “Wow…how many times did I use the word fantastic?” An interview is only as good as the interviewer. Despite my limitations, the …

On how she started as an architect at HOK in DC:

And what she likes about the studio:

Previous edition.

While interviewing Michelle, one of the first questions I asked her was about how she came to HOK. Here’s her response. It was not the textbook answer one would expect. Take a look!!

Some of you may know that I work in HOK Advance Strategies, a group of specialists within HOK.  We’re a worldwide group that is embedded in HOK offices and located on-site with clients.  I’m part of the Advisory group and sit in the WDC office (in the middle of the interiors group). 

I and the people in my group are not your typical architects and designers (although many are trained as architects…others are MBAs, planners, landscape architects, social scientists, interior designers, etc.).  The Advance Strategies “one-liner” is: As a specialized, multidisciplinary group within HOK, the world’s leading design and services firm, the specialists of HOK Advance Strategies are leaders, analysts, …

“Competition to find and keep talented staff has never been more intense. These are the employers who know what it takes to get the hiring edge.”

HOK Canada was recently ranked among the top 100 places to work in Canada by MacLean’s Magazine. Mediacorp reviewed the recruitment histories of more than 75,000 companies and invited about a third to apply for the award. Award recipients were ranked on eight key areas: physical workplace, work atmosphere; health, financial and family benefits, vacation and time-off, employee communications; performance management; training and skills, development; and community involvement.

Speaking as someone who has worked in the Toronto office for almost 10 years, I have seen …

As a part of their Summer Internship experience at HOK Chicago, seven students were encouraged foster their Sustainable Design knowledge by taking part in the 2008 Life Cycle Building Design Competition. The international competition is sponsored by West Coast green, the United States EPA, BMRA, AIA and Southface. The Competition had over 60 entries in two different categories, Building and Innovation. The HOK Chicago interns won 1st place in the Innovation Category and won the Outstanding Achievement award across all categories for the competition. They will receive free passes to this years’ West Coast Green Conference in

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