Preston E. Hite, AIA, Principal

preston@placedesignstudio.com

Since attaining his Master’s of Architecture degree in 2001, Preston has amassed a rich experience in professional practice.  He has worked on most project-types imaginable, ranging from two-bedroom cottages to a $500-million Federal Courthouse, from offices to clinics to educational facilities to worship spaces.

As a founding Principal of Place Design Studio, Preston brings that generalist experience right into the strategic vision of the firm to practice as generalists, never boxed-in by a particular project-type.  It has been his experience that knowledge of every kind of place will lend depth to the critical thought process.  The kind of special knowledge required for an Architect to work on any given project type is actually not usually difficult to grasp; and since one of Preston’s strengths is reasoning skill, he picks up quickly on such concepts.  But, because of the global view of a generalist, Preston can often bring value to the design process in ways that would have been missed by a specialist.

Preston is definitely a details person.  He knows that a project doesn’t work, and a space can’t be refined, if the details aren’t carefully considered.  Details aren’t just the small pieces of a building, they are the amalgamation of a pervasive overall concept, a design vision.  Preston will question every detail through the life of the project to assure that the project’s vision is guiding the process.

Preston and his wife, Janelle, have one child, Logan.  The Hites are very active in Christian mission work, domestic and abroad – spanning four continents so far.  It is their desire that the work of Place Design Studio would be the professional outflow of this passion for the work of the Gospel.

Preston loves music, and actively participates in music ministry both vocally and instrumentally.