Doug Wignall, AIA, RAIC, LEED AP has been named president of HDR Architecture, Inc., succeeding Merle Bachman, AIA, who retired on December 30, 2011. Wignall, a 20-year veteran of HDR, was previously senior vice president and international director of the firm's Healthcare program.
"Doug and his team have produced unprecedented results with eight consecutive years of HDR being ranked the No. 1 healthcare design firm by Modern Healthcare magazine," commented George A. Little, CEO of HDR, Inc., parent company of HDR Architecture. "Continuing to grow the Architecture business will be critical to HDR's success and I believe that will happen with Doug's vision, a strong leadership team, and a skilled group of professionals leading the practice into the future."
HDR Architecture, Inc. is known for its award-winning designs for urban environments, campuses and buildings in the healthcare, science and technology, civic, justice and higher education markets. The firm provides complete design services to clients from more than 40 offices across the United States, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and its newest office in Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Wignall's leadership was instrumental in the growth of the Healthcare program's presence throughout the United States and abroad, concentrating international efforts on increased work in Canada and the Middle East. He also oversaw increased activity from the Federal market segment and championed the evolution of HDR's "non-traditional" architectural services to keep pace with the challenging and diverse architectural field.
"Becoming the next president of HDR Architecture is a tremendous opportunity for many reasons," noted Wignall. "Under Merle's leadership these past 10 years, we grew to become one of the top four architectural firms in the world. HDR is a progressive firm and one of the first to establish significant depth of expertise in specific market segments. To maintain our leadership status we will seek to broaden our synergies between these markets as well as explore the growth potential in new market segments worldwide. We will continue to deliver unparalleled service to our clients and create exciting opportunities for our staff to grow and develop both personally and professionally."
Wignall holds a Masters of Architecture degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he also received his undergraduate degree. BD+C
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 19, 2023
World’s first prefab operating room with fully automated disinfection technology opens in New York
The first prefabricated operating room in the world with fully automated disinfection technology opened recently at the University of Rochester Medicine Orthopedics Surgery Center in Henrietta, N.Y. The facility, developed in a former Sears store, features a system designed by Synergy Med, called Clean Cube, that had never been applied to an operating space before. The components of the Clean Cube operating room were custom premanufactured and then shipped to the site to be assembled.
Performing Arts Centers | Jul 18, 2023
Perelman Performing Arts Center will soon open at Ground Zero
In September, New York City will open a new performing arts center in Lower Manhattan, two decades after the master plan for Ground Zero called for a cultural component there. At a cost of $500 million, including $130 million donated by former mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the Perelman Performing Arts Center (dubbed PAC NYC) is a 138-foot-tall cube-shaped building that glows at night.
Codes and Standards | Jul 17, 2023
Outdated federal rainfall analysis impacting infrastructure projects, flood insurance
Severe rainstorms, sometimes described as “atmospheric rivers” or “torrential thunderstorms,” are making the concept of a “1-in-100-year flood event” obsolete, according to a report from First Street Foundation, an organization focused on weather risk research.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 13, 2023
Walkable neighborhoods encourage stronger sense of community
Adults who live in walkable neighborhoods are more likely to interact with their neighbors and have a stronger sense of community than people who live in car-dependent communities, according to a report by the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego.
Sustainability | Jul 13, 2023
Deep green retrofits: Updating old buildings to new sustainability standards
HOK’s David Weatherhead and Atenor’s Eoin Conroy discuss the challenges and opportunities of refurbishing old buildings to meet modern-day sustainability standards.
Contractors | Jul 13, 2023
Construction input prices remain unchanged in June, inflation slowing
Construction input prices remained unchanged in June compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices were also unchanged for the month.
Government Buildings | Jul 13, 2023
The recently opened U.S. Embassy in Ankara reflects U.S. values while honoring Turkish architecture
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has recently opened the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. The design by Ennead Architects aims to balance transparency and openness with security, according to a press statement. The design also seeks both to honor Turkey’s architectural traditions and to meet OBO’s goals of sustainability, resiliency, and stewardship.
Affordable Housing | Jul 12, 2023
Navigating homelessness with modular building solutions
San Francisco-based architect Chuck Bloszies, FAIA, SE, LEED AP, discusses his firm's designs for Navigation Centers, temporary housing for the homeless in northern California.
Sponsored | Fire and Life Safety | Jul 12, 2023
Fire safety considerations for cantilevered buildings [AIA course]
Bold cantilevered designs are prevalent today, as developers and architects strive to maximize space, views, and natural light in buildings. Cantilevered structures, however, present a host of challenges for building teams, according to José R. Rivera, PE, Associate Principal and Director of Plumbing and Fire Protection with Lilker.
Building Owners | Jul 12, 2023
Building movement: When is it a problem?
As buildings age, their structural conditions can deteriorate, causing damage and safety concerns. In order to mitigate this, it’s important to engage in the regular inspection and condition assessment of buildings for diagnosis.
