St. Louis Construction News and Real Estate (CNR)

News, July 13, 2009 | 07/12/2009

HOK Tops Green Design Ranking

For the second consecutive year, HOK ranks as the greenest design firm on the planet. A recent survey published in the July 6 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine ranked the global architectural design practice as the firm engaged in the most sustainable work.

The survey is based on revenue for design services generated in 2008 from projects actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental
standards or ratings organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® certification system. HOK generated $197.54 million, or 26 percent of total revenue, from sustainable projects in 2008.

In the magazine's individual rankings by sector, HOK ranked first in the "Education" sector; second in the "Commercial Offices" sector; second in the "Sports, Entertainment & Civic" sector; and third in the "Government Offices" sector.

As a group, the Top 100 firms generated $2.85 billion in design revenue in 2008 from projects registered with, and actively seeking certification from,
third-party ratings groups. This marked a 63.9% increase over $1.74 billion in revenue from 2007 for the group.

Despite the economic downturn that has slowed global construction, HOK's green expertise and impact have continued to increase. "While the business
has shifted dramatically in the past year, sustainable design continues to resonate among clients across all sectors and regions," says HOK Sustainable
Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus. "We are continuing to broaden our expertise to help clients solve their environmental, economic and social challenges through traditional and non-traditional strategies. And through our exclusive alliance with the Biomimicry Guild, we are applying nature's innovations to the planning and design of buildings, communities and cities worldwide."

A pioneer in the green building movement since the erly 1990s, HOK's sustainable design expertise has led to 43 LEED certified projects, six
BREEAM rated projects and more than 100 others actively pursuing certification. The firm has played a significant role in applying sustainable design strategies to emerging geographic regions, building types and sectors.