Hickok Cole is a forward-focused design practice. We connect bold ideas, diverse expertise, and partners with vision to do work that matters.
Staying ahead of the curve requires both curiosity and passion for design. We work hard to fuel these fires with a variety of outlets for designers to flex their creative muscles in pursuit of what’s next.
When the chemistry’s right, you can’t go wrong. From landmark projects to conceptual explorations, we’re at our best working as part of a team pushing the boundaries of design. That’s why we invest in clients, partners, and projects that allow us to stretch and grow with each new opportunity—the more ambitious, the better. These collaborations have resulted in 300+ design and industry awards, record-breaking building sales, and the first mass timber and net-zero renovations in DC.
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A great firm requires clear vision and strong leadership. We’re led by senior principals and founding partners Mike Hickok and Yolanda Cole and a diverse team of senior leaders helping to guide us into the future. Experts in their respective fields, this powerhouse team ensures we walk the walk of our mission in every way and pursue what’s next for our clients, people, and profession with conviction and integrity.
We uphold our tradition of great design, great management, and a great place to work with core values distilled from reflections on our company culture.
Great ideas can come from anywhere. We believe in the power of collaboration and creativity at all levels, within our teams and with our clients and partners. Big or small, pragmatic or far-fetched, when we are “just doing this,” all ideas shine a light from a valuable perspective.
We’re all adults. We trust each other to make responsible decisions. We aim to grant appropriate autonomy and expect everyone to be responsible to themselves, their teams, their clients, and our firm. We support efforts to create dialogue about existing problems, communicate better solutions, or speak out if we or others are struggling.
Approachable conviction. The future and success of Hickok Cole is based on the quality and reputation of our work, expertise, and character. Regardless of role or level, upholding this commitment to excellence with respect and integrity is the responsibility of each individual, reflected in daily actions in the workplace.
Turning research into reality. Creativity and innovation are at the core of our being and process. We are involved and invested in passionate research and will always support those who propel us toward “what’s next.” We are committed to bringing that creativity and drive into our projects in a way that benefits the project, our clients and the greater community.
Our annual Rise Internship + Stipend is back and now accepting applications for 2024. This annual program seeks to elevate Black design voices by empowering emerging professionals and providing financial assistance to reduce barriers to entry into architecture and interior design careers. Rise recipients will receive a paid 8-10 week internship and a $5,000 stipend for university-related expenses.
In many ways, the Just application process gave us a format to reevaluate our current policies and challenge the industry standard. We sought to demonstrate how deeply we value our team and proceeded to invest in the most impactful improvements to best align our operations with the personal, societal, and cultural aspirations of today’s workforce. We’re proud to join the community of firms embracing social equity and corporate responsibility.
To be truly equitable, we must level the playing field by recognizing our differences and accepting that we’re not all starting from the same place. Black designers make up a small fraction of the industry. We’ve named the program Rise not only because we want to increase that percentage, but because it reads as a call to action for the industry and Hickok Cole as leaders within it to meet this challenge head-on.
Our commitment to doing work that matters starts at home. In 2022, we became a Just organization and received our first label from the International Living Futures Institute. This grassroots initiative demonstrates our commitment to building a more inclusive and transparent workplace that represents our mission in action.
Changing the future requires challenging the status quo today. And we are here for it. Our vision and commitment to sustainable design remain as strong as ever and guide the way we and our work continue to evolve. It’s a journey we have to take together. And as the design team behind the region’s first net zero renovation, it’s one we’re proud to lead.
