Kate Diamond, FAIA, LEED AP, has joined HMC Architects as a principal in the firm’s Los Angeles studio. In this position, Diamond will lead university- and education-focused design teams in the development of high-performance architecture, and will also contribute to its growing civic and justice practice.
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Diamond’s career in architecture spans nearly 35 years and has touched many project types, including academic and research facilities, courthouses, libraries, and transportation stations. Her track record of design excellence has produced award-winning, sustainable projects throughout California and the Western United States.
“HMC is clearly well along the way in its transition from a strong service firm to an innovative high-performance architecture practice without losing their commitment to client service. This commitment to deliver design excellence plus high-performance architecture plus service is what drew me to the firm,” says Diamond.
Prior to joining HMC, Diamond spent four years at the Seattle office of NBBJ where she was the design principal for multiple courthouse projects for the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the California Administrative Office of the Courts. Diamond is enthusiastic about returning to Los Angeles where she practiced for 30 years, including for 15 years as a partner with Siegel Diamond Architects. Reflecting her commitment to high-performance design, her design of the U.S. and Canadian Port of Entry at Sweetgrass, Mont., and Coutts, Alberta, was the first port of entry for the U.S. and Canada to receive LEED certification and was later honored with a GSA Sustainable Design Award. Locally, Diamond was the design lead for the iconic Los Angeles International Airport Air Traffic Control Tower and has led projects at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Orange County Water District.
“We are extremely proud that Kate has joined the firm,” says HMC’s Managing Principal and Chief Practice Officer Chris Taylor. “Her experience in working with higher education clients across California, including the UC and CSU systems, will greatly contribute to the expansion of our university practice.”
Diamond was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1996. In 1993, she was the first female president in 99 years of the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA. Diamond was appointed to the National Peer Review Council for the GSA Design Excellence Program in 1998. In 2005, she was named Principal of the Year by California Construction magazine.
