As an architect with more than 30 years of experience, Leathem has collaborated on numerous high-profile projects around the world.
James Leathem, ARB, has joined HOK as the technical principal in the firm’s London office. He specializes in detailed facade, structural and sustainable designs.
“James stands out as a highly respected and collaborative technical leader in our profession,” said Daniel Hajjar, managing principal of HOK’s London office. “We look forward to him working with our teams to create innovative design solutions for our clients.”
Leathem has led a mixture of sports, leisure, retail, office, mixed-use, cultural, residential and transportation projects. His iconic designs span the globe, including the Welsh Parliament building in Cardiff, Wales; Las Arenas Bullring in Barcelona; the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.; and Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan.
His work has also been recognized in the architecture and design community. His award-winning designs include Terminal 4 at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport in Madrid, which won the Stirling Prize from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and the LEED Platinum-certified BBVA Bancomer Bank in Mexico City, winner of the RIBA International Excellence Award.
“Complex projects require creative problem solving to achieve a client’s goals and design vision,” said Leathem. “I’m thrilled to bring my technical expertise to HOK’s London studio to collaborate on designs that transform our built environment.”
Active in the architecture community, Leathem has served as a guest speaker at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s annual conference. He has also tutored at Utah State University and the Bartlett School of Architecture at the University College London.