KAI Design is pleased to announce the hiring of Jake Wagoner, AIA, NCARB, EDAC, LEED Green Associate, as Project Architect at its St. Louis office. 

Wagoner has 13 years of industry design experience, with expertise in conceptual design layout, evidence-based design, sustainable building practices and construction administration. 

As Project Architect, Wagoner’s role is an integration point for identifying and implementing industry best practices and serves to drive holistically sound design projects. He will drive collaboration with the entire internal and external project team, while maximizing the use of all available resources, coordinating and integrating technical products, while always aiming to work within the agreed budget, hours and schedule parameters.

“KAI is elated to have Jake join our design practice in St. Louis. Almost immediately he dove into several projects, all at different design phases and showcased his flexibility, collaborative style and technical skills,” said KAI Managing Partner Brad Simmons, FAIA. “Jake brings an outstanding background with highly complex technical projects and his positive impact within our architecture group offers another creative resource to support our mission of Transforming Communities.”

Prior to KAI, he worked as a Project Architect for HOK in St. Louis where he designed renovations to Saint Francis Hospital’s Central Sterile Processing Department in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and also worked on the conceptual design for Indiana University Health’s $2 billion campus. Additionally, he oversaw the design of two $70+ million mental health facilities for the Wyoming Life Resource Center and Wyoming State Hospital.

While working as a Project Architect for The Beck Group in Dallas he was a collaborative team member contributing to the design and construction of the new Cox Health Bed Tower.

He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Saint Louis University and a Master of Architecture from Texas A&M University. He is a registered architect in Texas and is also certified through NCARB, EDAC and the U.S. Green Building Council. 

When not working with clients, Wagoner enjoys spending time with his daughter, golfing and learning to fly fish.