The Best Works of HKS Inc. (2025 Review)
HKS Inc. is an international architecture firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with over 1,400 staff and more than 20 offices worldwide. Since its founding in 1939, the firm has developed a diverse portfolio across sectors such as healthcare, sports, aviation, hospitality, and urban development.
Known for integrating research and performance data into its design process, HKS emphasizes building functionality, sustainability, and user experience. This article provides an overview of several of HKS’s most significant built works, focusing on how each project reflects the firm’s approach to technical challenges, environmental considerations, and the evolving demands of large-scale architecture.
Signature Projects that Define HKS
Over the decades, HKS Inc. has transformed skylines, elevated user experiences, and redefined modern architecture. Their diverse portfolio spans the globe, yet each project reflects a consistent dedication to innovation, human-centric design, and sustainability. Here are some of their most iconic works:
SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California
Completed: 2020
Type: Sports & Entertainment
Client: Los Angeles Rams & Chargers
SoFi Stadium is more than a sports venue—it’s a cultural landmark. As the most expensive stadium ever built (estimated at $5.5 billion), it sets a new global standard for entertainment architecture. The open-air, ETFE-roofed structure seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor experiences, making it ideal for Southern California’s climate. Designed to host the Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, and 2028 Summer Olympics, it’s a feat of engineering, sustainability, and fan-first design.
Highlights:
- Largest stadium in the NFL
- Integrated with a 298-acre mixed-use development
- First indoor-outdoor stadium with a translucent canopy
UT Southwestern Medical Center – Dallas, Texas
Completed: Multiple Phases (Ongoing)
Type: Healthcare
HKS’s work at UT Southwestern exemplifies how architecture can support healing. Through evidence-based design and biophilic principles, the facilities offer calming, efficient, and patient-centric environments. The project also reflects HKS’s leadership in health architecture, with a focus on natural light, operational efficiency, and adaptable infrastructure.
Highlights:
- Patient-focused layouts and workflow design
- Incorporates green spaces, daylighting, and art installations
- Contributes to medical research and academic excellence
DFW International Airport Terminal D & Headquarters – Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Completed: Terminal D – 2005 | HQ – 2015
Type: Aviation / Workplace
Terminal D at DFW, designed by HKS, reimagined the airport experience. With sweeping glass façades, intuitive circulation, and cultural installations, it serves over 60 international destinations with elegance and efficiency. Later, HKS designed the DFW Headquarters—a modern, collaborative workplace that reflects the brand’s future-forward mindset.
Highlights:
- Over 2 million sq. ft. terminal space
- Daylighting strategies reduce energy costs
- Award-winning integration of technology and architecture
Four Seasons Resort – Orlando at Walt Disney World
Completed: 2014
Type: Hospitality
Blending luxury with immersive experience, this resort showcases HKS’s expertise in high-end hospitality design. From panoramic lake views to a serene spa and family-friendly amenities, every aspect is tailored to create memorable stays. The architecture balances modern elegance with local character.
Highlights:
- LEED Gold certified
- 443 rooms & suites, golf course, spa, and water park
- Balances family resort functionality with elite service standards
Conrad Washington, DC
Completed: 2019
Type: Mixed-Use / Hospitality
Located within the CityCenterDC development, the Conrad Hotel is a striking example of refined urban design. Its minimalistic yet bold exterior contrasts with a richly detailed interior that pays homage to Washington’s architecture. It’s a showcase of how HKS crafts spaces that are both luxurious and timeless.
Highlights:
- Luxury hotel with retail and event spaces
- Rooftop bar with panoramic views
- Designed in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron
Design Philosophy & Innovation
HKS Inc. approaches architecture through a research-informed and interdisciplinary lens, with an emphasis on human experience, environmental responsibility, and technological integration. Their design philosophy prioritizes function and adaptability while addressing broader social, ecological, and economic contexts.
Human-Centered Design
A consistent principle across HKS’s work is the prioritization of user experience. Whether designing hospitals, stadiums, or workplaces, the firm studies how spatial arrangements affect behavior, comfort, and performance. In healthcare, for example, HKS applies evidence-based design strategies that have been shown to improve patient outcomes—such as increasing access to natural light, reducing noise, and improving wayfinding.
Their process often begins with stakeholder engagement, including interviews, workshops, and observational studies, to better understand how spaces are used and where improvements are needed. This ensures that buildings support the needs of their occupants in measurable ways.
Research and Post-Occupancy Evaluation
HKS maintains a dedicated research team that conducts post-occupancy evaluations (POEs), performance analysis, and environmental behavior studies. This data is used to refine design strategies and inform future projects. The firm publishes findings through its HKS Research platform, contributing to industry knowledge in areas such as healthcare efficiency, workspace productivity, and environmental performance.
Sustainability and Environmental Strategy
Environmental responsibility is embedded in HKS’s methodology, with many projects pursuing LEED, WELL, Fitwel, and other certifications. The firm emphasizes passive design strategies—such as natural daylighting, shading, and cross-ventilation—as well as high-efficiency mechanical systems and sustainable material selection.
In recent years, HKS has also integrated climate resilience into its planning, particularly in infrastructure and large public projects. This involves site-specific analyses of climate risks, such as flooding or extreme heat, and design adaptations to increase long-term durability and operational stability.
Technological Integration
HKS uses a range of digital tools to support both design exploration and project delivery. The firm incorporates:
- Parametric modeling for form-finding and environmental simulation
- Virtual and augmented reality for client presentations and user testing
- Data visualization tools for early-stage concept evaluation
These technologies allow for more iterative, collaborative, and evidence-driven design processes.
Social Impact and Community Engagement
Beyond commercial work, HKS operates Citizen HKS, an internal program dedicated to public-interest design. Through this initiative, teams collaborate with non-profits, schools, and communities to design facilities in underserved areas. These projects are typically developed through participatory design processes, with an emphasis on low-cost, resilient, and culturally sensitive solutions.
Why HKS Matters in the Global Architecture Scene?
Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Dallas, HKS Inc. has grown into one of the world’s most recognized architecture firms, with more than 1,400 employees across 20+ offices. Its influence stems not from a signature aesthetic, but from its integrated, research-driven, and socially responsive approach to design.
HKS is particularly known for leadership in three technically complex sectors: healthcare, sports, and aviation. In healthcare, the firm consistently ranks among the top global design practices and employs simulation, data analysis, and post-occupancy evaluations to improve clinical performance. In sports architecture, projects like SoFi Stadium and U.S. Bank Stadium have redefined stadiums as urban, mixed-use environments. In aviation, terminals such as DFW’s Terminal D highlight the firm’s attention to passenger flow, logistics, and infrastructure.
Beyond specialization, HKS embeds research within its design process through an in-house research team. This group collaborates with universities and professionals to generate evidence-based design standards, supporting innovation in environmental performance, user experience, and operational efficiency.
Geographically, HKS adapts its methodology across continents, tailoring solutions to local climates, construction practices, and cultural needs. Its work is increasingly defined by systems thinking, where performance, sustainability, and social outcomes guide design decisions.
The firm also channels its values through Citizen HKS, a social impact initiative supporting underserved communities with participatory, pro bono projects.
In a profession balancing technical rigor and ethical responsibility, HKS stands out for its blend of specialization, research, and a commitment to broader societal impact.
Resources: aaup | Architectural Digest | ArchDaily | Dezeen | World Architecture News