HOK, New York: Optimistic, Passionate, Committed.

What started as a single office in the Midwest has grown into an international practice that has the ability to touch the far reaches of the globe. Under the leadership of Carl Galioto, HOK’s President and Managing Principal of HOK’s New York and Philadelphia offices, the firm relocated to its Bryant Park location six years ago, a cultural touchstone for the city which has helped define how the firm interacts in its locale. 

It’s an open environment with an abundant amount of daylight and views of the park. People collaborate all day long and the physical layout is designed with a level of equality. Everyone gets the same access to daylight and views, the same access to conferencing, everyone has the same ability to understand what the firm is working on at any given time if you look around and walk through the space. 

The office promotes being able to get together in open collaboration spaces so models can be rolled out and the resource centre is used as a social meeting space with a large screen and video conferencing to allow virtual participation in activities in other offices. ‘First Thursday’ is an opportunity to go through exciting new projects and celebrate births, weddings and anniversaries at the firm. 

With colleagues performing together on numerous sports teams in architecture and design leagues across the city, there’s all kinds of ways to spend quality time together both in and outside the office. The firm participates in ACE Mentor Program, which is designed for high school students interested in architecture and design, as well as Canstruction, a non-profit organisation providing canned food to those that are less fortunate. 

“We’re fortunate enough to practise architecture and design in one of the most important cities in the world,” says Tom Polucci, firm-wide Director of Interiors. “We know we have a responsibility to create a positive impact on this community, and we strive to create some of the best architecture, interiors and planning to support the future viability of New York.”