BENTONVILLE, Arkansas– June 13, 2024—HFA Architecture + Engineering recently announced that Steven Baker (AIA, NCARB) has accepted the role of Hospitality Lead, supporting the Hospitality + Entertainment team at HFA.
Baker has been with HFA for over a decade and in that time, he has been a driving force behind developing and managing teams supporting restaurant and hospitality clients at HFA. He started out leading a team working through hundreds of retail remodel projects for a national client program, and in recent years, his teams have been responsible for creating multiple prototypes for quick service restaurant (QSR) clients and, most recently, have been accountable for remodel projects that are poised to redefine sales channels in the rapidly evolving QSR sector.
“The evolution moving across hospitality architecture right now is very exciting. The biggest trend in restaurants is transforming spaces for digital engagement while still providing great in-person experiences. Designing restaurants and other hospitality spaces allows architects to play with aesthetics, atmosphere, and functionality, shaping environments that leave lasting impressions on patrons. Architecture continues to push the boundaries of design innovation and sustainability, making it an exciting field to be a part of,” said Baker.
As Hospitality Lead, Baker is excited to use his experience with QSR and other restaurant clients to help him apply his learnings to upscale and fine-dining clients and prospects within the restaurant industry. This is part of the Hospitality + Entertainment team’s drive to design with the patron experience in mind, which is at the root of the restaurant industry’s need to keep customers happy and coming back again and again.
Baker is quick to add that the success of these programs during his tenure at HFA stems from building lasting and meaningful relationships with clients and being highly collaborative with other in-house disciplines.
“Steven's impact on our team and the AEC industry is unparalleled. He is always willing to lend a hand to those around him, and his leadership has been instrumental in guiding and growing the Hospitality + Entertainment team at HFA. He plays an integral part in cultivating and maintaining strong client relationships,” said Nicole Poole, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Vice President of Hospitality + Entertainment at HFA.
As Baker looks forward to his time as Hospitality Lead at HFA, he plans to engage with restaurant brands looking to evolve their patron experience. He hopes to expand the list of brands that have had their built environments transformed thanks to the insight and expertise of HFA.
Baker notes, “My tenure at HFA has been full of opportunities to learn from many talented Architects and Engineers. I’ve worked with amazing clients at the forefront of the retail and restaurant sectors, focused on continuous innovation. This foundation of industry knowledge, the mindset of iterative design, and mentorship at multiple levels equip me to lead my team and clients into the future.”
Media Contact: Tanya Castella, Communications + Media Specialist. 479-866-9058 or tanya.castella@hfa-ae.com
