[November 16, 2012]

HKS Acquires HADP Architecture, Further Expanding its Higher-Education Focus

HKS, Inc., a top-five national architectural/engineering firm, acquired the Miami-based education design firm HADP Architecture, Inc., expanding its current higher-education client practice.

HADP Architecture, a 30-person firm with offices in Coral Gables, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; St. Petersburg, Fla. and Fort Myers, Fla., will be renamed HKS HADP Studio and will focus on higher-education clients worldwide. The group will work in tandem with HKS's existing K-12 educational and higher-education studios.

According to Ralph Hawkins, CEO and chairman, HKS, Inc., "The merger will expand the firm's current, highly regarded higher-education practice. We've been working with HADP for more than 15 years. We've grown to know and respect the staff including David Harper, a nationally recognized thought-leader in higher-education student life facilities. Our collaboration will allow us to continue to create thoughtful and innovative designs for our clients."

Named one of Architectural Record's "Top 250 Architecture Firms" in 2012, HADP Architecture has completed more than 1,500 educational projects. The firm has worked with 60 university/college clients to complete 133 major higher-education projects.

HADP President and CEO David Harper will serve as a principal and director of higher education, responsible for all higher-education projects and market sector operations. Harper also will serve on the HKS Education Development Committee, setting direction for HKS educational projects worldwide.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for HADP to expand its reach, and have greater resources available by joining HKS, an award-winning, global architecture firm," said Harper.

The relationship between HADP Architecture and HKS spans a 15-year history of designing educational projects together. The firms are currently teamed jointly on two major university projects: Parkview Housing at Florida International University and the Student Housing and Living/Learning Center & Dining Hall at University of Texas at Dallas.

In recent years, HKS has completed educational projects for major universities; smaller campuses, both public and private, and community colleges. The firm's higher-education clients list includes Eastfield College, the University of North Carolina, Shenandoah University, the University of Florida, Texas A&M University, University of Utah, Texas Christian University and the University of Texas.

Since its founding in 1939, HKS has completed construction projects totaling more than $73 billion in more than 1,178 cities located in 77 countries. The firm employs 1,000 staff and operates from 29 offices worldwide.

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