The Austin office will be led by noted local designers Chi Lee and Brad Wilkins
Global design firm, HKS, is expanding its presence in its home state with the opening of its 25th office in Austin.
“HKS has long been an active member of the Austin community witnessing the city’s evolution from a lively college town and state capital to one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States,” comments Dan Noble, CEO of HKS. “While our firm has a rich history of prominent work here spanning more than four decades, we felt it was critical to solidify our presence in the city. We look forward to putting down roots in Austin.”
The Austin office will be led by noted local designers Chi Lee and Brad Wilkins alongside a growing staff of 25, instantly making the new office one of the most formidable design studios in the state.
The Austin team’s reputation as an intellectual force, coupled with projects spanning 27 million square feet across the great city of Austin and a world-class portfolio means they’ll be statement-makers on day one.
“The chance to open and lead the Austin studio for the largest Texas-based architecture firm is a tremendous opportunity,” says Chi Lee, principal, and office director for HKS in Austin. “HKS is a dominant player on the global stage in its commitment to ESG with some fantastic examples in the portfolio.
“Thoughtful and sustainable urban planning is what Brad Wilkins and I have dedicated our careers to. Joining HKS to further this track will be professionally rewarding and with an aim to create places that offer a sense of creativity and belonging for the Austin community.”
Currently, HKS has more than 50 projects in design or under construction in the Austin market, including Domain 9, the Dell Children’s Medical Center expansion and key projects in the Rainey Street District including the River Street Residences and 98 Red River.
Chi Lee earned his architecture degree in New York before putting down roots in Austin in 2004. He has spent the past 18 years growing the urban development of the Austin community with numerous projects such as student housing, public transit, commercial infrastructure and his leadership roles have made an impressive mark on the community.
Brad Wilkins will serve as the studio design leader for the Austin office and brings an extensive portfolio of more than 100 projects that span 20 countries. While skyscraper design – specifically Supertall and mixed-use skyscrapers – are a specialty of his, Wilkins’ passion for urban planning, energy efficiency, resiliency master planning, clean technology, and transit-oriented design are all key factors in harnessing the energy of the new office.
