HKS Architects

A night of celebration in San Diego!

The American Institute of Architects has awarded HKS and EYRC a 2026 National AIA Housing Award for the University of California San Diego Theatre District Living and Learning Neighborhood (TDLLN) in La Jolla, Calif.

This national award honors the best in home and housing design across five categories. UC San Diego TDLLN received the Housing Award in the Specialized Housing category and was formally honored last night as part of the AIA Conference on Architecture and Design Awards Gala.

The project team led a research-based, outcome-driven design process focused on student health/wellness and sustainability/carbon neutrality.

The vibrant 1.4-million sf mixed-use multipurpose living and learning neighborhood is carbon neutral and climate-resilient. Its unique design supports social connection and student success while creating housing for more than 2,000 students.

The project restored the site from a surface parking lot back to its historic ecological role as a watershed that balances between its coastal and canyon ecosystems, not only benefiting the planet, but also the health and well-being of many future generations of students.

The residential buildings include 33,000 sf of amenities, including a food hall, retail, conference center and micro-hotel, fitness spaces, meditation pavilion and tea house.

Visit our website to read more about this award-winning project: https://hks.onl/4v8HeJg

Global events like the FIFA World Cup are redefining what cities demand from sports and entertainment venues and what those venues deliver in return. Stadiums are now the engines that power experience districts – vibrant, walkable neighborhoods of cultural, commercial and residential spaces designed to enhance daily life and deliver year-round value.

The data is clear: mixed-use developments outperform single-use properties in value growth, a 10-point increase in a property’s Walk Score is associated with an estimated 5-8% increase in commercial value, and the global experience economy – consumer spending on travel, restaurants, concerts and similar events – is predicted to hit $2.1 trillion by 2032.

From World Cup Host sites AT&T Stadium and SoFi Stadium to U.S. Bank Stadium and the new Cleveland Browns stadium slated to open in 2029, the HKS Advisory team gathers research and insight to strategically design the entertainment districts surrounding them.

Experience districts have evolved past the concept of “build it and they will come.” HKS’ approach is, “find out what they want, and build that.”

“An experience district is a holistic ecosystem of human experiences. Our job is to use data to identify experiences that will not just meet a particular population’s needs but will delight them.” - Becky Baron, Principal, HKS Advisory

Read the full story here: https://hks.onl/4unpFnq

The U.S. Air Force Academy’s iconic Falcon Stadium is elevating the experience for fans on game day and beyond through a world-class transformation.

The east-side renovation, led by HKS, is redefining how fans and cadets experience game day while honoring the Academy’s rich history and preserving breathtaking western views.

Inspired by stealth aircraft, the tiered, angular design of the stadium preserves sightlines to the iconic “AIR FORCE” hillside letters, combining precision and strength with comfort and innovation.

Key highlights from Phase One:
➡️1,000-seat enclosed premium club featuring elevated hospitality in an exclusive lounge.
➡️Heritage plaza entrance that celebrates the Air Force Academy legacy and athletic excellence.
➡️Upgraded amenities like expanded concourse, modern concessions, improved restrooms and accessible features.
➡️Expanded stadium tunnel, making large-scale event production seamless for year-round programming and entertainment.

These upgrades represent the largest athletic investment in Academy history and position Falcon Stadium as a year-round destination for graduations, football, lacrosse and major events.

Learn more about this monumental transformation here: https://hks.onl/4uy5Z13

📸 by Michael Robinson