Douglas Hanson

Founder & Design Partner

Douglas Hanson, FAIA, NCARB, NOMA is a Los Angeles based architect who has worked with some of the world’s leading architectural firms designing major cultural, commercial, and residential projects
in Asia, Europe, and North America. With over three decades of professional experience, Hanson launched his eponymous firm, HansonLA, in 2010. 

He has gained a broad depth and range of experience designing major projects in Asia, Europe and North America. Mr. Hanson is equally accomplished all aspects of project development, from predesign and design work to construction and project management. His experience includes cultural, multidisciplinary collaborations, large-scaled residential and mixed use proejcts as well as more modestly scaled commercial and hospitality projects. Mr. Hanson is a past Director on the AIA LA Board and serves on several other national boards

Early in his career at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Hanson collaborated on major European projects from design through construction. In Barcelona, Hanson managed Vila Olimpica, a collaboration between SOM and Frank O. Gehry & Associates. Hanson then joined Frank O. Gehry & Associates in 1992 as a Senior Associate and Project Architect for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. 

Mr. Hanson’s experience is enhanced through his work as a consulting architect in the development and preparation of the program for various cultural projects including the California Academy of Sciences and the Morgan Library and Museum. His unique architectural vison has been brought to life in several of the most iconic contemporary buildings in the world.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS


California, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, North Dakota 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS


American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles


American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles chapter board member 2015-2018 

American Institute of Architects Political Outreach committee chair 2018-2019 

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards


Interfaith Design, an AIA Knowledge Community, Chair 2022


NDSU’s Department of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Advisory Board 

University of Colorado, College of Architecture and Planning Advisory Board 

EDUCATION


1984 - University of Colorado, Master of Architecture 

1980 - North Dakota State University, Bachelor of Science 

WORK EXPERIENCE 

2010 – Present: Founder, Design Partner | HansonLA, Los Angeles, CA

2004 – 2010: Design Partner | DeStefano Partners, Los Angeles, CA

1998 – 2004: Design Principal | HansonLA, Los Angeles, CA

1991 – 1999: Senior Associate | Gehry Partners, LLP, Los Angeles, CA

1985 – 1991: Staff Designer | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago, IL and London, UK