gyo obata, co-founder of global architecture firm HOK, dies aged 99

the legacy of gyo obata

gyo obata, co-founder of global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm HOK, has passed away aged 99. born in san fransisco in 1923, obata was nearly interned during world war II because of his family’s japanese heritage, but avoided it by going to study architecture at washington university in st. louis, where he earned his bachelor of science and architecture in 1945. obata then studied at the cranbrook academy of art in bloomfield hills, michigan, receiving his master’s degree in architecture and urban design in 1946.

after graduating, gyo obata worked as an architect in the chicago office of skidmore, owings and merrill (SOM) from 1947 to 1951, when he returned to st. louis. in 1955, he joined architects george hellmuth and george kassabaum in establishing the st. louis-based firm hellmuth, obata and kassabaum (HOK). the practice has achieved global recognition, and obata himself has won numerous awards for his designs.

gyo obata at work in the studio in the late 1970s

all images courtesy of HOK

gyo obata’s passing has been confirmed by HOK in an official announcement. ‘gyo obata, FAIA, a world-renowned architect who cofounded HOK in 1955 with a vision for enhancing lives through building design, passed away on march 8, 2022,’ the statement reads. with obata’s contribution, the st. louis practice has grown into one of the world’s most respected design, architecture, engineering, and planning firms. obata’s career spanned six decades. from the time of his retirement in 2012 and continuing into 2018, he kept an office in HOK’s st. louis studio, where he served as a design consultant for his colleagues.

‘gyo’s extraordinary career at HOK continued into his 90s, and he served as a mentor to several generations of designers including myself,’ says HOK chairman and CEO bill hellmuth, FAIA. ‘as an example to all of us, he led HOK to become the largest architecture-engineering firm in the united states while never abdicating his role as a designer of significant projects.’

HOK’s founders: gyo obata, george hellmuth and george kassabaum with a model of the priory chapel at saint louis abbey

obata believed that each project must be approached without preconceptions and designed to serve the needs, values, and aspirations of the people and community it serves. rather than imposing his will upon a project, the architect paid close attention to what the clients communicated, and then let the project guide the design of a building that would bring meaning and enjoyment to its occupants.

‘gyo embodied everything that’s honorable about the architectural profession,’ mentions bill valentine, FAIA, HOK’s chairman emeritus. ‘instead of designing for the fashions of the times or to make a personal statement, gyo designed to improve lives. he was a kind, thoughtful man who developed warm, personal relationships with his colleagues and clients. people believed in him, which is an essential part of turning drawings into buildings.’

obata passed away in st. louis, missouri, on march 8, 2022