HOK's 15-year commitment and contributions to the "green" building movement have been honored by the U.S. Green Building Council with the "Organizational Excellence" award in the 2006 USGBC Leadership Awards program. HOK accepted the award November 16 at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Denver.

A pioneer in sustainable design since the early 1990s, HOK was the first large design practice to join USGBC, and the firm's sustainable leaders helped develop the first LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. HOK has continued to provide leadership in the LEED program and USGBC organization – at both the local and national levels. In 2005, HOK sustainable design principals assumed leadership roles in the Gulf Coast Reconstruction charrettes (conducted at Greenbuild 2005) that led to the production of the "The New Orleans Principles" and subsequent publications to guide rebuilding efforts.

The first firm to achieve 100 LEED Accredited Professionals, HOK today boasts more than 430 LEED APs located in North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The firm has designed 11 LEED certified projects and 40 others pursuing certification. Additionally, HOK has adopted an unprecedented policy to apply LEED (or BREEAM) principles to every project – whether or not the client has requested it.

"Sustainable design is a core value for HOK, and it's integral to every aspect of our firm's work and operations," says HOK Chairman Bill Valentine. "We are honored by this award, but more than that, we're challenged to do what we can to continue advancing sustainability toward mainstream awareness and acceptance."

Other recent sustainable design achievements earned by HOK include:

• 2006 "Sustainable Design Leadership Award," co-sponsored by CoreNet Global, the International Interior Design Association, and the American Institute of Architects Committees on the Environment and Interior Architecture.

• 2005 "Best Sustainable Practice Winner, Educational Initiatives“ from the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council for The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design (published by John Wiley & Sons).

• “Designing a Sustainable and Secure World” award from Global Green USA.

• Six consecutive years of recognition on the "Top 10 Green Projects List," selected by the AIA Committee on the Environment.

The 2006 USGBC Leadership Awards also recognized the following organizations and individuals in four other categories:

Community:
-- Robert Fox Jr., Principal, Cook + Fox

Education:
-- Greg E. Franta, FAIA, of The Rocky Mountain Institute
-- The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado

Advocacy:
-- Maria Atkinson, Global Head of Sustainability at Lend Lease
-- California Department of General Services (DGS)

LEED:
-- Gary Saulson, Director of Corporate Real Estate at PNC Financial Services
-- Liberty Property Trust

“The companies and individuals receiving the USGBC Leadership Award inspire us each and every day with their words, their actions, and their passion,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, USGBC. “It’s an honor to work with them, and to support their dedication to advancing green building.”   

The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation’s leading coalition of corporations, builders, universities, federal and local agencies, and nonprofit organizations working together to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Greenbuild as well as the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System are programs of the USGBC. For more information on the USGBC, visit www.usgbc.org.

HOK is a global architectural firm that specializes in planning, design and delivery solutions for buildings and communities. Through its collaborative network of 24 offices worldwide, the firm serves diverse clients within the corporate, commercial, public and institutional markets. HOK is committed to developing resources and expertise to help lead the world toward sustainable communities and building environments. Founded in 1955, the firm’s expertise includes architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, lighting, graphics, facilities planning and assessment, and construction services.