DENVER, CO – February 12, 2026 – HKS, a global design firm, has announced the appointment of Scott Nelson as Principal and Health Studio Practice Leader for the Mountain West region. With nearly four decades of experience dedicated to the planning, design, and construction of health facilities, Nelson will help guide HKS’s mission to deliver innovative, patient-focused design solutions across Colorado and the Mountain West Region.

Nelson joins HKS from Advocate Aurora Health (AAH), where he spent 14 years as System Vice President of Planning, Design & Construction. At AAH, Nelson led a team responsible for more than $6 billion in completed capital construction, overseeing planning, design, and implementation across 27 hospitals and 500 additional care facilities. He helped integrate progressive patient care models, clinical operations, and forward-looking design strategies to improve outcomes and experiences for communities across the Midwest. 

Earlier in his career, Nelson served as a principal and partner at international architecture firms, advising health systems nationwide on strategic capital planning and facility development. At HKS, Nelson will bring this unique blend of owner-side expertise and design leadership back to the practice, helping health systems maximize capital investments while creating environments that advance patient well-being.

“Scott is one of the rare leaders in our industry who truly understands health care design from every angle — client, owner, and design team,” said David Morris, Principal and Office Director, HKS Denver. “His insight, coupled with his collaborative spirit, will strengthen our health practice in Denver and across the Mountain West, ensuring we continue to deliver transformative work for our clients and communities.”

Nelson is a 36-year member of the American Institute of Architects and a founding member of the American College of Healthcare Architects. Nelson’s hire underscores HKS’s ongoing investment in the Mountain West, where the firm has delivered more than a dozen landmark projects, including:

• Lincoln Property Company Denver Innovation Campus (ongoing) – A 790,000-sf innovation district with a mass timber amenity center and three tenant buildings
• US Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium (2024) – A transformative renovation introducing a dramatic new entrance, heritage plaza, and reimagined fan experience
• Aurora Highlands Master Plan (2023) – A 350-acre mixed-use vision anchored by health care and community-centered development
• Denver Health Outpatient Medical Center (2020) – A 275,000-sf facility integrating specialty clinics, telehealth, and surgical services
• Le Méridien / AC Hotel Denver (2017) – A 474-key dual-branded hotel in downtown Denver
• 100 St. Paul, Cherry Creek (2015) – A LEED Gold mixed-use office and residential complex
• Four Seasons Denver (2010) – A luxury hotel and private residences tower in the city’s heart
• Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch (2001) – A premier mountain resort with a hotel and private residences

“Throughout my career, I’ve seen the power of design to impact how people heal, work, and connect directly,” said Nelson. “Joining HKS feels like the perfect culmination of those experiences. I’m eager to partner with health systems to create facilities that embody innovation, efficiency, and humanity — places that truly help people live well.”

With Nelson’s leadership, the HKS Denver health studio is poised to expand its role as a creative catalyst and strategic partner, shaping the future of health and wellness design across the Mountain West.

About HKS

HKS is an interdisciplinary global design firm. Our team of 1,700 architects, designers, planners, and advisors across 29 offices partner with clients to design and develop elegant solutions to complex challenges. From iconic gathering places to healing environments, our designs enhance experiences and elevate outcomes for all stakeholders. Our work is inspired by curiosity, driven by research and technology and informed by a deep understanding of human and environmental needs. We’re proud to be a carbon-neutral firm since 2023.

Recent Accolades: 

• 2025 Forbes, America's Best Midsize Employers
• 2025 SE2050 Best in Reduction (HKS Structures)
• 2025 Architectural Record, Top 300 Architecture Firms - #3
• 2025 Human Rights Campaign Foundation - Corporate Quality Index 
• 2024 Building Design + Construction, Top 100 Hospital Facility Architecture Firms - #1
• AIA National Architecture Award 2024 
• AIA National Healthcare Awards 2024 
• EDRA Core Merit Award, 2024 
• AIA COTE Top Ten 2023 
• ASHE Vista Award 2023 
• IIDA Global Excellence Awards Finalist 2023 
• Fast Company Most Innovative Companies, Architecture 2022
• 2022 Fast Company, Most Innovative Architecture Companies 
• 2021 Fast Company, Best Workplace for Innovators (top design firm) 
• 2021 CoreNet Global Award for Professional Excellence 
• 2021 Prix Versailles World Prize for Architecture, Sports 
• 2021 Healthcare Design Magazine HCD 10: Outstanding Organization 
• 2020 Sports Business Journal, Facility of the Decade (AT&T Stadium)