“At the center of everything we do is a simple, but powerful purpose,” said Koch Hazard Architects principal Stacey McMahan. “We strengthen community with intention and creativity.”
Community is something the architectural firm strives to build on every day, with their project team, downtown Sioux Falls office, neighborhoods, and schools.
“Our purpose is more than a statement, it is a calling and our responsibility,” continued McMahan. “It challenges us to think differently, care more deeply, and to recognize that the work we do leaves a lasting mark on the people and communities around us.”
The mid-sized design firm was started in 1961 by Ralph Koch with Bob Hazard joining in 1969. Since their beginnings and continued growth, they have specialized in all areas of architecture, planning, and interior design.
Jeff Hazard joined Koch Hazard in 1988 and became “one of the defining architects of modern Sioux Falls.”
“His arrival back in Sioux Falls coincided with a renewed interest in downtown, and I think his work helped show that architecture in South Dakota could be ambitious, contextual, and deeply rooted in place,” said architect Nolan Hazard, who is also his nephew.
The firm sees downtown as the heart of the city and is also where their office is located in Falls Center (which is also in their portfolio).
“Koch Hazard has played a vital role in preserving many of Sioux Falls’ historic buildings, guiding the planning and development of Phillips Avenue and Falls Park, and supporting initiatives that have strengthened the downtown creative and arts community,” said architect Mason O’Farrell.
O’Farrell and Nolan say McMahan often notes “there’s not a place you can go downtown where you couldn’t pick up a rock and hit a building Koch Hazard has worked on.”
“Design directly impacts how spaces feel, function, and connect people.”
MASON O’FARRELL
AWARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Here are some of the ways McMahan says Koch Hazard is environmentally conscious:
Built Environment
Koch Hazard’s projects are all unique responses, while being respectful of the neighborhood and site.
Natural Environment
One of their basic tenets is to design buildings that do less harm to the environment, including lower energy and water usage, landscaping with native or adapted plantings, and renovating buildings when possible.
Indoor Environment
A special focus is designing with natural light and healthier indoor environments provided with fresh air and greater control over one’s thermal environment, like being able to open a window.
The team has become known for designing significant regional projects, historic renovations, and urban development, including the Washington Pavilion, the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, and the National Music Museum.
Highlights from the last five years are the LifeScape Campus, several large K-12 schools, historic renovations of Lincoln Hall at the University of South Dakota and Beadle Hall at Dakota State University, several non-profit projects, and the adaptive reuse of both of Sioux Falls’ historic train depots.
Koch Hazard has equally become known for giving back when they can, utilizing their creative edge.
“We volunteer and do special projects the budget wouldn’t cover,” said McMahan. “We’ve constructed raised garden beds for the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum [and East Sioux Falls Historic Site], created rammed earth benches for the St Francis House, trash enclosures for StartUp Sioux Falls, hundreds of folded origami cranes done by hand for Children’s Home Society, and donated partial services to many.”
Sioux Falls Area
Community Foundation
PROLIFIC PORTFOLIO
Koch Hazard is behind some of these impressive projects:
Ben Reifel Middle School
Brandon Valley Ice Rink
City Center (City of Sioux Falls)
Jones Seed Co.
LifeScape New Children’s Campus
Raven Industries
Sanford Imagenetics
Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation
Tea Area High School
The Steel District
Trailhead Learning Center (Yankton School District)
Vance Thompson Vision
Along with big wins, the team has also had personal hardships, like the 2019 death of Jeff from leukemia.
“It was a real shock to our system, everything went by so quickly without an ability to ready ourselves,” said McMahan.
Principal Keith Thompson recalls the outpour of support from all over.
“It reminded us what an impact he had,” said Thompson. “Just trying to live up to that impact is enough of a goal to keep us going.”
The recent promotion of O’Farrell and Hazard was a move to continue Koch Hazards’ legacy and commitment to design excellence, collaboration, and a long-term partnership with the communities they serve. Thompson says the transition has been rooted in continuity with the next generation of leadership stepping forward to carry those values in their own way.
“We have deep and broad experience, we’re easy to work with, and want to make each project the very best it can possibly be.”
KEITH THOMPSON
FUN FACT:
Koch Hazard has won the most AIA Awards in the state.
“We’re probably younger than any time recently, which is great and exciting,” said Thompson. “We have a group of extremely driven, talented people who all work together very well.”
Now they’re celebrating their 65th anniversary, which will commence with a party June 26 from 4-6 p.m. followed by a Levitt at the Falls concert across the street sponsored by none other than Koch Hazard. The Vindys will be taking the stage from Youngstown, OH surrounded by food trucks and community vibes.
The anniversary is also a time to reflect on how far they’ve come and where they’re planning to go with their reinvigorated team.
“A firm does not reach 65 years because of one person or one project,” said Nolan. “It happens because of clients who trust you, communities that invite you into important work, contractors and consultants who collaborate with you, and generations of people inside the firm who care about doing good work.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT KOCHHAZARD.COM+
