What H+K Architects does

H+K Architects is a privately held architecture firm founded on April 1, 1994, in Reno, Nevada, originally as Hershenow + Klippenstein Architects and rebranded to H+K in 2010. The firm delivers full-service architectural design from programming and conceptual design through construction administration, with specialized capabilities in sustainable/LEED-certified design, historic preservation and seismic retrofit, adaptive reuse, and Building Information Modeling (BIM). Its project portfolio is concentrated in academic, civic, and military/public-sector facilities across Northern Nevada — anchored by long-running relationships with the University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County School District, Nevada Air National Guard, Nevada Army National Guard, and various state and local government agencies — with a small footprint of commercial work (offices, dealerships, worship, healthcare). The firm has completed more than 1,000 regional projects since founding and holds multiple LEED Gold, Silver, and Certified credentials, plus U.S. Air Force Design Awards and American Library Association recognition.

The firm operates on a traditional professional-services model: project-based architectural fees determined by scope, size, complexity, and service phases, with public-sector work acquired through competitive bidding and private work through direct client relationships and referrals. Customer concentration is high in the institutional public sector, with a multi-year contract cadence and project durations spanning programming, design, bidding, and construction administration. Following co-founder Max Hershenow's retirement in 2023, principal Jeff Klippenstein leads a 12-person team that includes multiple Klippenstein family members in design, accounting, and office management roles, underscoring a closely-held, family-influenced ownership structure with no external institutional capital.

Name

H+K Architects

Legal name

H+K Architects

Website

https://hkarchitects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

H+K Architects is a Reno, Nevada-based architecture firm specializing in academic, civic, military, and public-sector facilities across Northern Nevada, with expertise in LEED-certified sustainable design, historic preservation, and seismic retrofit.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Educational facility design
• Civic building design
• Historic building preservation
• LEED certified design

Headquarters

HQ city

Reno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Traditional architectural fee structure based on project scope and complexity. Provides complete spectrum of architectural services from programming through construction administration, including design, renovation, restoration, and interior space planning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

H+K Architects provides full-service architectural design and documentation, delivering projects from programming through construction administration. The firm specializes in academic, civic, and military/public sector buildings in Northern Nevada, with additional expertise in sustainable/LEED-certified design, historic preservation and seismic retrofitting, interior space planning, and adaptive reuse of aging structures.

Product overview

H+K Architects is an architecture firm offering a comprehensive suite of architectural services including design, documentation, programming, renovation, interior design, and specialized support services. The firm specializes in project categories including Academic Buildings (elementary schools, high schools, university facilities like Mathewson IGT Knowledge Center, William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center), Civic Buildings (DMVs, libraries, community centers), Military Facilities (readiness centers, hangars, maintenance facilities), and Additional Commercial Projects (offices, automotive, healthcare). With over 30 years of experience since 1994, the firm has completed over 1,000 regional projects in Nevada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Comprehensive architectural design and documentation services for academic, civic, military, and commercial clients, covering architectural programming, design, construction documentation, and construction administration from project inception through completion.
• Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Services Specialized historic building rehabilitation including seismic retrofitting while preserving character-defining features, applied to National Register properties and aged public infrastructure.
• Sustainable and LEED Certified Design Services LEED-certified sustainable design incorporating energy-efficient mechanical systems, ground source heat pumps, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, natural daylighting, drought-tolerant landscaping, photovoltaic panels, and high-recycled-content materials.
• Interior Space Planning and Design Interior space planning and design services, including furniture and equipment selection, signage and graphics, and interior environments for academic, civic, military, and commercial projects.
• Master Planning and Site Analysis Comprehensive planning services including site analysis, feasibility studies, and master planning for large-scale developments and institutional campuses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 regional projects completed since 1994
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Dekker/Perich/SabatiniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate Architect for Mathewson IGT Knowledge Center project. Also served as Schematic Design Consultant for Davidson Mathematics & Science Center. Collaboration on major UNR projects.
• Leo A DalyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary Planning Consultant for Mathewson IGT Knowledge Center project, providing specialized expertise in library design and planning.
• MIGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead design firm for Golden Eagle Regional Park project. H+K Architects commissioned to design three concession buildings, maintenance building, and shade structures as part of overall park design.
• Burns & McDonnellminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerH+K Architects served as architectural consultant to Burns & McDonnell, the Engineer of Record, for the Nevada Air National Guard Fire Station project.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Burns & McDonnell: National engineering-architecture firm with a significant military and federal facilities practice; documented collaborator with H+K on Nevada Air National Guard projects and a direct competitor on military RFPs.
• SmithGroup: Large national design firm with extensive higher education, civic, and public-sector portfolios; competes for major institutional commissions where H+K also bids.
• DLR Group: Integrated design firm with strong K-12, higher education, civic, and federal/military practices; pursues many of the same public-sector RFPs in the Western U.S.
• Perkins&Will: Global architecture practice with deep higher education and civic portfolios; competes for large-scale university and civic commissions in the Western U.S.
• HKS Architects: Large national architecture firm with deep higher education, civic, and government practices; competes for major institutional commissions in the Western U.S.

Direct peers

• LPA Design Studios: Integrated design firm focused on K-12, higher education, civic, and public-sector projects; comparable in client base and sustainability-driven design approach.
• Sink Combs Dethlefs (SCD): Denver-based architecture firm specializing in civic, public safety, and community projects; comparable in scale and public-sector focus to H+K.
• Leo A Daly: National architecture, engineering, and planning firm with strong civic, education, and military/healthcare practices; served as library planning consultant to H+K and competes for the same institutional commissions.
• Cuningham Group Architecture: Mid-sized architecture firm with strong hospitality, civic, and education practices; comparable in scale and project mix to H+K's institutional work.
• Dekker/Perich/Sabatini: New Mexico-based architecture firm with deep civic, K-12, and higher education practice; documented collaborator with H+K on UNR projects and a directly comparable regional institutional peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about H+K Architects