Vanessa Rabe and George Blume will lead the office, which is HOK’s third in Texas.
HOK is increasing its presence in Texas by opening a new office in Austin. Led by longtime Austinites Vanessa Rabe, AIA, RID, LEED AP, and George Blume, AIA, IIDA, NCARB, the office will support current clients such as the Texas Facilities Commission with the new Capitol Complex Phase II project in downtown Austin. HOK now has 26 offices, including two other offices in Texas: Dallas and Houston.
Rabe is the Austin studio’s practice leader. With experience in both architecture and interior design, she manages large teams on complex projects in the higher education, governmental and workplace markets. Rabe is an active member of Commercial Real Estate for Women (CREW), having served on the executive committee, membership committee and board of directors of the Austin chapter. The chapter has recognized her as its New Member of the Year and Member of the Year.
“Austin is a vibrant city with exciting new developments on the horizon,” said Rabe. “I’m thrilled to open an office with an established practice like HOK in the city I’ve called home for 25 years.”
Blume is the principal-design for the Austin studio. He has nearly two decades of award-winning architectural and interior design experience in the corporate, commercial, mixed-use and residential markets. Blume collaborates with project teams and clients to design spaces that elevate and enhance communities.
“Great design has the power to create connections and placemaking spaces for people and communities to thrive,” said Blume. “I’m looking forward to working with clients in our new Austin studio to design transformative places for Texans.”
HOK’s design team will create a flexible and efficient workplace for the Texas Facilities Commission as part of the Capitol Complex Phase II project. This project will include two new state office buildings and an extension of the pedestrian mall—all sensitively designed to respect the historically significant buildings nearby. The project is expected to be completed in 2025.
“We have a long history and deep relationships across Central Texas,” said Jay Tatum, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, HOK’s managing principal for Texas. “We anticipate significant opportunities in Austin and are excited to be a part of the region’s dynamic growth. With the leadership of George and Vanessa, we can do great things.”