Upe Flueckiger<\/a>, dean of the architecture college, has enjoyed watching.<\/p>\n\u201cTexas Tech conducted experimental E-Studios for third- and fourth-year undergraduate
\n students,\u201d he said. \u201cHeath May, a student at the time, was enrolled in the E-Studio
\n taught by professor (Robert) Perl some 25 years ago. Educating students in building
\n and computing technology has a long history and tradition at the HCOA.<\/p>\n
\u201cFast forward more than a quarter century later, and it is wonderful to see Heath
\n May, FAIA, in the role of CEO and chairman at HKS, one of the nation\u2019s leading architectural
\n firms. It\u2019s a testament to my colleagues who taught Heath all those years ago, and
\n it is a privilege and an honor to welcome him back to his alma mater as he contributes
\n to our lecture series entitled Im\/Material.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heath says interacting with students is one of the most energizing and exciting duties,
\n especially now that he has transitioned into this new role.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung people entering the professions and coming into school are seeing the world
\n wide open,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting right now because there are so many things happening,
\n both outside and around us, but particularly with technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Changing Face of Architecture<\/p>\n
An especially noteworthy development in architecture, as is the case with many other
\n creative disciplines, is the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it
\n can be used to complement and amplify human efforts. The AI landscape is changing
\n quickly, and those who know how to capitalize on AI will reap impressive benefits.<\/p>\n
![\"Heath](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Heath-May-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cArchitecture has always had this really interesting relation to technology,\u201d he said.
\n \u201cWhat\u2019s happening in the world with AI represents a new horizon. The chance to speak
\n with people about the different ways you can pursue a career in architecture, engineering
\n and construction (AEC), kind of makes me want to go back to school these days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heath says he was the beneficiary of more than a few professional mentors through
\n the years taking an interest in him and his career. In some cases, he said people
\n saw more potential than he saw in himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not follow a linear path,\u201d he says with a smile. \u201cAnd I could be relatively
\n stubborn at times about things. It was strongly suggested, maybe even pushed on me,
\n around middle school, that architecture would be something I would be good at. Maybe
\n that suggestion is why I resisted it.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the benefit of hindsight, Heath realizes there was a time when he failed to understand
\n the difference between art and design. Simply put, he has always been more interested
\n in the way an idea was expressed than the idea itself. Maybe that is one of the reasons
\n his academic career began at what is now Texas State University studying biology and
\n art.<\/p>\n
He came to realize, in short order, that was not the path for him. So, he decided
\n to attend Texas Tech and study architecture.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the best decision I ever made in terms of academics,\u201d he said. \u201cFrom day
\n one, I was enthralled with the subject matter. It never felt like work to me. Yes,
\n there were long hours and all-nighters, but I just loved it.\u201d<\/p>\n
His career trajectory has been punctuated by people challenging him to take the next
\n step in his journey \u2013 even if he might not be ready for it. Their perspective often
\n caused him to see a challenge or project in a different way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout my life, I found myself consistently being afforded opportunity, perhaps
\n before I was truly ready,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is this mentality of making a promise beyond
\n your ability and taking on something that feels a little bigger than what you\u2019re able
\n to accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why Reciprocity Matters<\/p>\n
The responsibility of paying it forward crystallized for Heath during a leadership
\n course with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Dallas chapter. One of the
\n concepts that resonated with him was the idea of reciprocity.<\/p>\n
Likewise, Heath enjoyed a stint as an adjunct assistant professor for the University
\n of Texas at Arlington, where he taught advanced graduate studio.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is always difficult to juggle teaching while you practice,\u201d he said, \u201cespecially
\n with the types of projects we do and making sure we serve our clients, but I wouldn\u2019t
\n have it any other way. I always felt that in order to be a good practitioner, I needed
\n to understand the academic side and teach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout his career, Heath has been a trailblazer in the profession with particular
\n expertise in leveraging computational design to enhance project work and deliver increasingly
\n refined iterations.<\/p>\n
It represents the best of both worlds. Computers can handle large quantities of data,
\n automate processes and provide possible solutions quickly, compressing timelines for
\n deliverables. From there, the team continues to evaluate and develop the project design
\n per client specifications using feedback from computer simulation.<\/p>\n
![\"Heath](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Heath-May-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cThere might be something that came from the initial stroke of a pen or an initial
\n idea, but generally, you go through many iterations to arrive at what the project
\n is about,\u201d Heath said. \u201cComputational design brings in some elements of architecture
\n along with computer science, and it allows us to use more advanced computer techniques
\n to solve problems.\u201d<\/p>\n
For example, the team might have a 3D project model that computational design would
\n allow be seen in a different way, providing important insights into material limits,
\n geometric and structural implications and energy impacts.<\/p>\n
The successes and opportunities, as Heath sees it, are a direct result of his time
\n at Texas Tech and being exposed to professors who had practiced architecture all over
\n the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that time, Dean Flueckiger was relatively new to the college,\u201d Heath recalled.
\n \u201cHe was starting to step in and bring some of his global experiences, and that was
\n something that was profound to me, thinking how many of the architects we studied
\n were so influential throughout the course of history.\u201d<\/p>\n
Challenged at Every Turn<\/p>\n
He said the architecture curriculum challenged students to look seriously at how objects
\n were constructed, designed and accessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a good reconciliation between the conceptual design work that we did, and
\n the implementation part of that,\u201d he said. \u201cThat never got out of balance while I
\n was in school. We had to think creatively, but we also had to think about how it would
\n be implemented.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heath also remembered the impact of people throughout his Texas Tech journey. He recalled
\n how significant several drawing classes he took prior to beginning the architecture
\n program were for him.<\/p>\n
Drawing is something that has stayed with him even to this day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was actually my path into architecture,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s somewhat ironic, considering
\n I ended up leveraging a computer, but I still draw every day. It\u2019s something that
\n has held with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Something else that has stayed with him is the almost serendipitous impact of others
\n on his life. Like many students, when Heath began at Texas Tech, he was also working.
\n His first job was framing houses in Lubbock, which led to a busy schedule and showing
\n up for classes with sawdust in his hair.<\/p>\n
The hours were long and demanding, and it was a challenge balancing work and class.
\n That\u2019s when he responded to an advertisement and met Michael Glass.<\/p>\n
Glass was the director of maintenance at the Student Union Building, and he was looking
\n for an assistant with a background in maintenance and construction. Heath got the
\n job. His schedule became a little smoother.<\/p>\n
And he was on his way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI worked at the Student Union Building while I was in school, and that really allowed
\n me to make it all work,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was very, very critical to me making it through
\n school.\u201d<\/p>\n
After earning his degree, Heath said his career plans fluctuated, especially early.
\n However, he found a role at HKS and steadily worked his way up through the ranks,
\n delivering for clients, building effective teams and working on breathtaking projects
\n (like SoFi stadium in Los Angeles and the Pacific Plaza Pavillion in Dallas).<\/p>\n
\u201cHeath has grown his architectural knowledge to an exemplary level during dynamic
\n times,\u201d Flueckiger said, \u201cand his work is an inspiration to us all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heath has never met a project he didn\u2019t enjoy working on, although there have been
\n some smaller projects that were particularly satisfying like the new dining facility
\n for Alcon Laboratories and Novartis Pharmaceuticals<\/p>\n
\u201cI have learned to be agile,\u201d he said. \u201cI think these days, that\u2019s even more challenging
\n because things are changing so fast around us. Having a 10-year plan really kind of
\n boxes you in because if you become too dogmatic as far as what that means, you are
\n going to miss a lot of opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a result, work hasn\u2019t been labor, and time hasn\u2019t dragged. Heath is amazed how
\n quickly the past two plus decades have zipped by.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has offered ample moments to savor along the way, too,\u201d he said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t sure
\n I wanted to work for a large firm when I came to HKS. I wasn\u2019t sure it would be a
\n good fit because of the type of work I was interested in. I was skeptical that could
\n happen at a large firm.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, those doubts soon vanished for a couple of reasons. The organization was
\n filled with talented people who knew how to collaborate and get work done, and the
\n firm was large enough where he could learn on the fly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHKS really could nurture entrepreneurial ideas,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd early in my career,
\n I had a great mentor in Eddie Abeyta, who really held design to a high standard.\u201d<\/p>\n
A few years later, Heath pitched his own entrepreneurial vision: The Laboratory for
\n INtensive Exploration, or LINE, which gave the firm a new way to not only attack complex
\n and ambitious projects but to provide innovative ideas and solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe developed LINE around 2012,\u201d he said. \u201cWe were able to operate as a small studio
\n and test new technology, new materials and push the boundaries of what we thought
\n could be possible and really start to affect work.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the CEO role, Heath is learning a new level of agility. He not only takes over
\n as a leader, but he also is responsible for maintaining the HKS culture and keeping
\n people at the center of the firm\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see design as a verb,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s not a part or a phase of what we do. It\u2019s
\n everything that we do. We all contribute to that, and one of the things I am working
\n on now is helping every one of us understand that, whether you\u2019re on the front end
\n of design, working in our financial group or working in HR, we are all contributing
\n to the design of places that improve people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the charge here \u2013 to think about how we are all on this path together and
\n how we can continue to navigate together this world that is changing around us so
\n quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This architecture graduate is grateful for how others saw his promise and potential and challenged him to see…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":39691,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[168,170,169],"class_list":["post-157205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-lubbock","tag-lubbock","tag-lubbock-headlines","tag-lubbock-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=157205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157205\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=157205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=157205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=157205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"Portrait](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/doug-hensley.jpg\")
<\/p>\n