Houston, TX — WHR Architects has announced the appointments of Marie Hoke, AIA as director of the Studio for Education and the Arts and Mary Le Johnson AIA, ASID, LEED AP as director of the Studio for Education and Science.

"We are fortunate to have two such dynamic leaders as the firm positions itself for the future," said David Watkins FAIA, WHR Chairman. "Marie and Mary Le will provide our clients with exceptional experience and commitment in creating the next generation of educational and research environments.

The announcement of the new studio directors reflects an expansion and transformation of the former Education Science and Technology (EST) Studio. While Hoke and Johnson, both long-time members of the WHR team, will continue to work closely to coordinate the combined services for academic institutions, the focused studio organization will more effectively serve the segments of the higher education market where their interests and expertise reside.

"One of WHR's greatest strengths is our ability to connect with our clients," notes Hoke. "I am confident that by clearly focusing our energies on the components of college and university campuses where we have deep expertise, we will be able to offer more informed attention to their issues, and continue to deliver design solutions that surpass expectations."

"We like the challenge of complex technical projects," Johnson adds. "The change in the structure of the studio is an opportunity not only to intensify our focus on the evolving concerns of our clients, but also to effectively broaden our reach across the markets. The job of our team is to help our clients fulfill their missions."

Hoke is a Principal of WHR Architects with more than 20 years of specialized architectural experience designing and managing higher education projects. A graduate of the University of Houston, she received her Bachelor of Architecture, Magna Cum Laude. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Rice Design Alliance and the Institute for Leadership in Capital Planning and is an active member of the American Institute of Architects, the Texas Society of Architects, and the Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Johnson is a Principal of WHR Architects where she has served as Project Manager and Architect for research, science and health science facilities for more than 15 years. She holds her Master of Architecture from University of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts from University of Nebraska-Kearney, as well as an Interior Design Degree from El Centro College. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Interior Designers, The Texas Society of Architects, and the Rice Design Alliance.
Among WHR’s recent and current work are facilities for the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Research Park Complex, Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Building; Texas A&M University at Galveston, Marine Sciences Building in Galveston; Sam Houston State University, Performing Arts Center in Huntsville; University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler; and University of North Texas, Music Building Concert Hall in Denton.

For more information, visit www.whrarchitects.com and follow @whrarchitects on Twitter. Contact Nancy Egan, National PR Consultant at New Voodou or Michael Jones, Public Relations Manager at WHR Architects for additional information.

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About WHR Architects, Inc.
WHR Architects is a full service architecture, interior design and technology planning firm. The firm’s commitment to critical thinking is balanced by an ingrained empathy that results in both improved project outcomes and positive working experiences for their clients. With over 110 people in Houston and Dallas, Texas, Washington DC and New Jersey, the 32-year-old firm is working on projects throughout the US for top–tier public and private education and medical institutions. WHR was named the 2010 IIDA Texas/Oklahoma Large Firm of the Year and 2008 AIA Houston Firm of the Year.