HEWITT announces the retirement of senior principal Kris Snider

11.17.21

Seattle-based design firm HEWITT today announced that Kris Snider, ASLA, senior principal and director of design – landscape architecture, will retire at the end of 2021 after 33 years with the company. In addition, HEWITT named Principal Jake Woland, ASLA, LEED AP, its next director of design – landscape architecture, effective upon Snider’s retirement.

With a passion for urban environments, Snider’s career has encompassed hundreds of projects in a broad range of environments including: civic – Bell Street Pier, Bell Street Park; office – Arbor Blocks, Amazon’s Bigfoot/Nessie, SLU Lakefront Blocks; mixed-use residential – Via6, Center Steps, 8th and Republican, Harbor Steps Towers; retail – University Village, Redmond Town Center; and transportation – Tukwila Station.

Snider became HEWITT’s first landscape architect in 1988 when he joined the Urban Design group, working primarily on larger scale urban planning projects. His desire to see projects through to construction led to him shifting to more site and urban open space design as part of the in-house architectural teams. Snider began working with many developers and growing his staff, leading to the creation of the landscape architecture studio. The studio’s work with in-house architects resulted in an intimate knowledge of the building process. Snider and his team began working with outside partners, resulting in the first, and only at the time, multi-disciplinary firm in Seattle where the landscape architecture studio supported both in-house work as well as out-of-house projects with other architects.

Prior to HEWITT, Snider began his career as a landscape architect at EDAW in Seattle. He received his Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia.

“Kris has made an indelible imprint across the region’s landscape, which will be felt for decades to come. His design approach and ingenuity provided the solid foundation upon which our studio was built,” said Principal Matthew Porteous, PLA, ASLA, principal and director of practice – landscape architecture of HEWITT. “Kris’s retirement brings us to the next phase in our studio’s leadership transition plan. His close work with Jake ensures a seamless transition for all of our clients, and a continuation of the high level of design leadership that our partners expect.”

Woland has been with HEWITT for 13 years and has over 20 years of experience as a design leader. He specializes in conceptualizing the space between buildings with an empathy for people and thoughtful consideration of place. Woland received his Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington and his Bachelor of Science, Geological Sciences, from Tufts University.

“I couldn’t be leaving the studio in better hands. After working closely with Jake and Matt for years, I know they, and our talented staff, will continue to redefine the pedestrian experience and champion good design,” said Snider. “I’ve had a long, rewarding run at HEWITT and want to sincerely thank my current and former partners who so fully supported our landscape architecture studio. I’m thankful as well for the many friends I have gained working with our wonderful clients and design teams over the past three decades. I will now be watching with interest, from the sidelines, as they continue to create buildings and open spaces that vitalize our region’s neighborhoods and cities.”