News
Date: February 21st 2008
Veteran HOK Architect Leading Design Efforts on Firm's Fair and Equestrian Projects
HOK Smith Forkner has come out of the chutes quickly. The Knoxville-based entity, a division of HOK Sport Venue Event, has secured nearly a dozen fairground and equestrian projects across the country in just nine months of existence.
HOK Smith Forkner recently completed design of a 7,500-seat performance venue for the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. The firm also has been selected to design equestrian, fairground and rodeo plans in Texas, Canada, New York, Nebraska, Utah, Florida and Oklahoma. Most recently, HOK Smith Forkner was hired to study long range fairground master plans for:
- The Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck, New York;
- Relocation of the Alachua County Fair in Gainesville, Florida;
- The Sevier County Fair in Richfield, Utah;
- The Western Fair in London, Ontario.
"We're enthused the market has been so receptive to our new venture," said Charlie Smith, AIA, principal of the firm. "Joining with industry leader HOK Sport Venue Event has given us an advantage because we're the only firm who can provide such proficiency in the building type."
HOK Smith Forkner's projects have been bolstered by the knowledge of veteran HOK Sport Venue Event designer Martin Smith.
As HOK Smith Forkner's lead designer, Martin Smith is heading design efforts on the firm's equestrian and fairground projects. He has been with HOK Sport Venue Event since 1995, and his vast experience designing sports facilities includes work on new ballparks for the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. He also has worked on multipurpose venue space such as the Iowa Events Center as well as with collegiate clients such as the University of Kansas and the University of Maine. Martin Smith has bachelor's degrees in architecture from Iowa State University and Boston Architectural College, and he is a member of the American Institute of Architects.
"Our clients trust Martin," said Charlie Smith. "His design leadership allows us to promote another layer of expertise that goes unmatched in the industry."
Currently, Martin Smith is leading design of HOK Smith Forkner's San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo Equestrian Complex. The San Antonio show is one of the nation's largest and averages 1.2 million attendees over a two-and-a-half-week period. HOK Smith Forkner is designing plans for a show pavilion and exhibit space to allow the show to accommodate even more events.
"It’s been enjoyable transitioning from home runs to horses," said Martin Smith. "With every project comes a new approach, whether that project is a ballpark, a stadium or an arena, and it's been a natural transition from focusing on ballparks and stadiums to that of equestrian centers. It’s an architecturally thought provoking adventure for HOK."
For further information please contact
Gina Leo at HOK Sport (Kansas City)
Telephone: +1 816 221 1500
Facsimile: +1 816 221 1578
Email media@hoksve.com