Hendy Expands To Phoenix As Advanced Manufacturing Reshapes The Built Environment

PHOENIX, Nov. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hendy, a nationally recognized interior architecture and strategic workplace firm, today announced the grand opening of its Phoenix office, bringing its niche expertise designing complex, high-performance environments and mapping specialized workflows to one of the nation's principal global hubs for manufacturing, semiconductor production, aerospace and AI infrastructure. The new Phoenix office marks Hendy’s first expansion beyond California in its 46-year history. It is currently headed by Managing Senior Designer, Sara Fitzpatrick, a 15-year industry veteran and former Professional Services Practice Leader + Design Leader at Gensler, Phoenix.

In 2025, Phoenix ranked second in the U.S. for data center capacity under construction. It is home to over 200 semiconductor companies representing 30 countries, a rapidly expanding aerospace and defense ecosystem, and a manufacturing sector projected to grow 13% over the next decade¹. As this growth accelerates, Hendy's expertise across office, multifamily and complex interior environments positions the firm to deliver the next generation of spaces that support Phoenix's expanding economic base.

“Phoenix is becoming a critical center of innovation and advanced industry, and the environments supporting that growth require a different level of design acumen and precision,” said Carolina Weidler, Hendy Co-CEO. “Hendy brings deep experience translating complex operational requirements into high-performing environments. This expansion is about bringing that expertise closer to the companies, developers and people shaping what comes next in Phoenix.”

For over 46 years, Hendy has delivered strategic interior architecture solutions to blue-chip clients across its Corporate, Science & Technology, Multifamily and Currents studios, including among others:

Rocket Lab USA  - “Rocket Lab needed an HQ capable of evolving at pace with a frontier industry defined by rapid technological change,” said Adam Spice, CFO, Rocket Lab USA. “Hendy brought a sophisticated understanding of complex manufacturing and a proven ability to translate operational needs into adaptable environments, ultimately designing us a holistic space that brings together our people, technology and mission.”

JLL - “At JLL, we are our people. Attracting and retaining top talent is the most important thing for our firm, and we needed a future-forward workplace that would really connect the JLL brand with our employees,” said Jeff Ingham, senior managing director, JLL. “Hendy was our natural choice for this assignment. We knew they’d bring highly calibrated instincts to the space strategy given their own immersive workstyle. Today, our Irvine office delivers a high-quality human experience for our people in an intelligent, agile space custom built for our needs.”

Studio-specific services include:

Science & Technology Studio
Led by Co-CEO Carolina Weidler, Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt, LEED AP
Lean collaboration work sessions, real-time layout, building and site analysis, feasibility and code compliances, test fit and budgeting, utilities coordination, exterior building modification, construction documentation and administration, hazardous material coordination

Corporate Studio
Led by Co-CEO Susan Dwyer, NCARB Architect
Pre-leasing, visioning sessions, programming, workplace strategies, schematic and design development, construction documentation and administration, furniture specifications, pre- and post-installation evaluations, accessorizing

Currents Studio
Led by Principal/Workplace Strategist, Anna Alm-Grayhek, LEED AP, CCMP, NCIDQ, CID
Employee assessments, workplace evaluation, interactive visioning sessions, space utilization studies, scenario programming, performance-based planning, work-anywhere strategies, new workplace protocols, change management

Multifamily Studio
Led by Felicia Hyde, CID, IIDA, Principal/Design Director & Sara Fitzpatrick, Managing Senior Designer
Predevelopment services, programming and visioning, design development, pricing drawings, construction documentation and administration, engineering coordination, furniture/artwork/accessories, unit finishes, model units

About Hendy

Founded in 1980, Hendy is a nationally recognized interior architecture and design firm creating environments that help organizations and their people perform at their best. Serving corporate, science & technology and multifamily clients, Hendy combines 46 years of design expertise with a deep understanding of how people, business and space intersect. The result is thoughtful, high-performing environments tailored to how each client operates—whether that’s a corporate headquarters, a highly specialized laboratory, or a process-driven manufacturing floor. The firm is recognized as a CoreNet Global Service Provider of the Year; ranked as a Best Place to Work by Orange County Business Journal, and listed as a Top 30 Architecture Firm in SoCal by LA Times Studios. Clients include Anduril Industries, Bandai Namco USA, Pacific Life, First American, SchoolsFirst FCU, Behr Paint Co., In-N-Out Burger, 5.11 Tactical, Jones Lang LaSalle, Kawasaki Motors, Mercedes Benz USA, Monster Beverage, Riot Platforms, Rocket Lab, Terran Orbital, Rivian, Irvine Company, Alliance Residential, Toll Brothers, Shea Properties, etc. Visit hhendy.com to learn more.

Media Contact:
Anita Mellon
anita@fractioncy.com

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¹ https://www.gpec.org/industries-operations/operations/manufacturing/